Can a small family-owned tool and die company from Rockford, Illinois do business in China? "Yes, there are definitely opportunities for the small businessman," says Don Metz, President, Metz Tool and Die Works, Inc. of Rockford, Illinois, "but they must be pursued as aggressively and passionately as any domestic customer." Metz spent the first 10 days of December exploring the vast China market with the assistance of Representative Donald A. Manzullo's office and the staff of the U.S. Commercial Service in China and Rockford, Illinois. Like many small business owners, Don is concerned about the future of the employees of his 40 year-old family company. He is hoping to find new opportunities not only for his small company but also for the thousands of members of the National Tool and Machining Association that he represents. Unfortunately, many of the small companies he represents feel the main export from their industry has been their jobs.

"Congressman Manzullo has been the anchor of this entire project," says Metz. In his capacity as Chairman of the Committee on Small Business of the U.S. House of Representatives, Congressman Manzullo has launched this special project to help small business export to China. The staff of the House Small Business Committee accompanied Metz in visits to Beijing, Tianjin, Shanghai, Nanjing, Suzhou, and Shenzhen where they were assisted by the U.S. Commercial Service in meeting with their Chinese customers and counterparts. Metz credits this support from the US Government for his initial successes in China saying, "Without the help of the Congressman and the U.S. Commercial Service, the insights I gained would not have been achieved."

The group did not just meet with Chinese companies. Some of the obvious China customers for a small mold-builder like Metz are the large US multinational companies that are manufacturing in China. Metz had very productive visits with Caterpillar, GM and other multinationals that promise to let him bid some of their future new products.

Writing in the Washington Times, Rep. Manzullo states, "To buy or source American - to put American jobs first - is ultimately, perhaps ironically, completely pro-free trade. There is nothing more satisfying for members of Congress than to see their small businesses benefitting substantially from trade. It's good politics. It's good business. It's an official part of President Bush's national export strategy. And it will go a long way toward restoring a strong free-trade orientation to Congress, and public and investor confidence in corporate America."

"I remember the only American companies we saw in China back in the 80's were Fortune 500 companies," commented Denny Barnes, Deputy Senior Commercial Officer in the Beijing office of the U.S. Commercial Service. "These days, more and more small and medium-sized businesses are knocking on the door and the China market seems to be really opening up."

Reflecting on the insights he gained from his first visit to China, Metz comments, "China is a unique market. Personal contacts open the doors - not emails and faxes. I am going to pursue this until I create a contract, a customer and a relationship." Don will be back in March - ready to sign some contracts.

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