Reference

International

Foreign Direct Investment in Michigan

The number and prestige of international firms with operations here confirm the maturity and international strength of the Michigan economy. There are 3,760 divisions, affiliates and subsidiaries in the state representing over 40 countries and encompassing all industry and service sectors.

Germany leads in the number of operations in Michigan. Japan is the 2nd-largest international investor in the state, while investment from the United Kingdom ranks 3rd. Canada and Netherlands rank 4th and 5th, respectively. 

Michigan has experienced business attraction specialists servicing the Canadian, German and Japanese markets. These specialists work to promote Michigan as an attractive location for firms seeking expansion into the North American market.  

International Operations in Michigan 

Germany 610 Japan 549 U.K. 512 Canada 500 Netherlands 476 France 295 Other 818 Total 3760

Source: Dunn & Bradstreet

 

Top Exports and Markets

The state's top export destinations are Canada, Mexico, China, Japan and Germany. In addition, the 25 nations of the European Union, taken as a single market, comprise Michigan's third-largest export destination.

U.S. sales abroad of $1.162 trillion in 2007 reflected an increase of 12.1% over the previous year. Top export categories were industrial machinery and computers, electronics, vehicles and parts, aircraft, spacecraft and parts, and optics, photographic and surgical instruments. Michigan accounted for 18.6% of total U.S. vehicle-related exports. 

Export sales of $44.4 billion by Michigan businesses to 207 markets worldwide reflected an increase of 9.8% over the previous year. Leading categories include inorganic chemicals including silicon (up 40%), aluminum goods (up 33.5%), optics, photographic and surgical instruments (up 14.2%) and vehicles and parts (up 10.8%). The state's preeminence in manufacturing and dominance in industrial R&D make it the ideal platform for export-based industries while its strategic location offers easy access to the Asian, European and North and South American markets. 

 

Michigan Top 10 Exports by Industry  2007 (Billions of Dollars) Vehicles, Parts 19.9 Industrial Machinery, Computers 6.4 Coal, Petroleum, Natural Gas 2.1 Electronics 2.0 Plastics, Plastic Products 1.8 Instruments, Optics 1.2 Office Furniture 1.0 Iron, Steel 1.0 Iron, Steel Products 0.7 Chemicals  0.7

 

Michigan Top 40 Export Markets 2007 (Millions of Dollars) 1. Canada 25,631   21. Italy 177 2. Mexico  5,206 __ 22. Singapore 175 3. China  1,313   23. Hong Kong  173 4. Japan  1,308   24. Kuwait  173 5. Germany  1,267   25. Thailand  156 6. United Kingdom  742   26. India  148 7. Venezuela  694   27. Spain  146 8. France  680   28. Switzerland  138 9. Korea, Republic of   627   29. Sweden  114 10. Saudi Arabia  545   30. Chile  104 11. Netherlands  460   31.  South Africa  101 12. Belgium  458   32. Colombia  87 13. Austria  428   33. Indonesia  79 14. Brazil  388   34. Ireland  75 15. Australia  361   35. Israel  75 16. U. Arab Emirates  292   36. Malaysia  69 17. Russia  244   37. New Zealand  49 18. Taiwan  209   38. Finland  48 19. Philippines  204   39. Egypt  48 20. Argentina  200   40. Honduras  46         Total Exports  44,371

Source: WISER; U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of the Census.

 

Services and Assistance Available

The Michigan Economic Development Corporation has experienced international trade specialists on hand to help Michigan companies gain or expand access to markets worldwide. They are available to:

• Deliver export assistance, including direct company support.
• Coordinate export assistance services with economic developers and trade associations.
• Provide referrals to public/private marketing organizations statewide.

 

Contact information for the MEDC's Michigan Business Representatives Worldwide

Export Related Michigan Companies

MEDC maintains a searchable database of Michigan-produced goods and services and a directory of international business service providers online:

• a searchable directory of Michigan Export Businesses, currently exporting or interested in exporting, and
• Export Service Providers that can assist you with specific needs related to exporting your product.

 

Michigan Global Partnership 

The Michigan Global Partnership is a collaboration of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation with local economic developers and businesses. More than 20 private sector companies and 30 economic development agencies are part of the effort.

Partners focus on attracting business in three regions: Asia, Europe and the Americas. Attraction efforts combine visits to out-of-state and out-of-country headquarters of Michigan operations with visits to targeted companies considering new facilities. In addition, local partners work closely with Michigan Economic Development Corporation staff to develop attraction strategies. 

For further information, please visit http://goingglobal21.com/.