A distinguished group of executives from China and New York City visited Cushing’s VMI, Inc. last week. They are looking to enter into a joint venture with the U.S. companies to establish industry in a tax free zone called Putong.
Frank T.H. Yuan is President of USA-China Entrepreneur Associates, Inc. and is president or general manager of three other companies, having to do with international marketing. “We have the potential for great opportunities and joint ventures that will benefit both countries,” he said.
Wang Li Yong is the General Manager of the Shanghai Huzhou Shipping Engineering Company. He has his Assistant Manager and Accountant Han Xiu Ping with him, as well as Hu Lai You, his Sales Manager. Although language was a barrier, Henry Chen, a broker from New York City served as an excellent interpreter. Wu Yu Xiang, Hudong Heavy Machinery Co, Ltd, Director of Assembly also from Shanghai, completed the group, except for another member of their party who was not feeling well, Shen Ji Qing.
VMI, Inc. is a family business that manufactures dredges. Dredges are large boat-like machines used in cleaning out rivers and deltas. VMI, Inc. is led by President Randy Maitlen, Vice President Tony Maitlen, and Chairman of the Board Gene Maitlen. It began in Oklahoma City in 1972 and moved to Cushing in 1989.
“My sons and I came up with the design. We’ve sold to countries around the world. Just to name a few, Pakistan, Africa, Philippines, South American, Canada and Mexico. We rent a lot of equipment, too, especially to places like Louisiana.” Gene Maitlen said.
“China is trying to work through the World Trade Organization to take advantage of their help so that projects like these will run more smoothly.” Wang sand. Yuan added, “It gives us a mutual understanding to further incorporate other dredging projects.”
Wang’s company, Shanghai Hushou Shipping Engineering Company, is the second largest shipping company in China.
It has been in operation for 70 years. Through the interpreter he said they have equipment for tunneling through mountains that can move 100,000 tons of earth.
They export to Greece, Italy, Chili, Australia and other countries.
“Their machines are mammoths, but they need something smaller for the area in which they are now working. That’s where we come in,” Gene Maitlen said.
“We want to purchase the products made by VMI because there is a growing demand for it. We are importing the machines to clean up flooding rivers. We hope this project will help improve levels of the environment-irrigation, and agriculture will be encouraged,” Wang said.
“We have talked to this group for a very long time, before arrangements could be made for them to actually come here and meet with us. We took them out to eat to Freddies Steak House, and brought in Josh and Christine Williamson and Brandon Gibbs to perform Native American dance for them.
There was a photo session beneath a banner the group from China brought with them.
“This group seems to have great respect for American technology,” Tony Maitlen said.
“This province is already established and seems to be working. I’m told there are 11 provinces along the coast of China just across the water from Hong Kong. Some of the companies already there are G.E., Cummings, General Motors and McDonald’s.
The cost of labor is less than half what it is here,” he said.
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