International Business News September 2020 McWong International Power supply solutions For the Lighting Industry Margaret Wong, President & CEO, McWong International McWong large indoor lighting solution for Detroit's Historic Trinity Church Mongolian Yert. McGowan LED drivers Also in this issue: Explore Croatia / International News / Tips – Croatia Savino Del Bene – Your Global Solution Savino Del Bene is an international freight forwarding company providing customers with integrated, efficient, cost-effective solutions and multi-modal transportation ser- vices to meet your business goals worldwide. With Fast Tracking across all modes and industries with offices throughout the world. • Customs Brokerage • Air Freight • Ocean Freight • Overland • Logistics Solutions • Information Technology • Insurance In Kansas City, contact Matt Hearer, Branch Manager, at 816.842.6701, ext. 701 [email protected] 1201 Erie Street, North Kansas City, MO 64116 Visit our website for our international certifications and more information - www.savinodelbene.com September 2020 page 3 TM IBNewsmag : cover image McWong International Explore Croatia Pg. 2: Savino Del Bene Pg. 3: ToC, Letter Based on August’s encouraging news, it appears we are moving in the right direction regarding exports, imports Pg. 4 – 5: McWong International and manufacturing. Pg. 6: McWong, continued According to the Institute of Supply Management’s (ISM) August Report On Business, economic activity in the US manufacturing sector grew in August with both Pg. 7: Croatia travel exports and imports moving up. Pg. 8: Croatia travel cont’d, Express News This jump in trade suggests that our small to medium- sized enterprise exporters (SMEEs) are beginning to see Pg. 9: Express News continued some daylight following the devastating pandemic that swept the nation beginning in March. Pg. 10: Croatia Profile Many of you are getting leads from your website and Pg. 11: Croatia Profile cont’d, Transimpex social media endeavors and are beginning to make shipments to confirmed sales responses. Pg. 12-13: Croatia Profile continued One of the challenges remaining on the table are the tariffs imposed by the White House on steel and IBNewsmag aluminum. Many of you have switched your supply chain sourcing away from China or have been reshoring Tel 816.616.7779 Fax: 816.472.0959 your manufacturing here at home. [email protected] So, aside from adjusting your supply chain to avoid 6655 Troost Ave., tariffs and dealing with Covid-19, how do you regain Kansas City, MO 64131, USA your competitive export edge? In God we trust! One way is by sharpening your pencil on pricing and shipping to optimize your operations. Air cargo is more PUBLISHER/EDITOR: expensive since commercial flights have dropped off. Frederick Baehner They typically account for nearly half of all air cargo. DESIGN & PRODUCTION: Tom Gilland Another way is that of rehiring those experienced www.GillandGraphx.com people who are crucial to your manufacturing. I know SENIOR EDITOR: Doris Ganser many of you have been able to retain your critical workers through this crisis, and to that I applaud you. CONTRIBUTING WRITER: Paul Mastilak It takes sincere leadership to move forward, and you TRAVEL WRITER: Lisa Osborne Blalock are in the driver’s seat. ADVERTISING DIRECTOR: Tom Renich Frederick Baehner page 4 September 2020 One of McWong’s manufacturing facilities in China East meets West as McWong continues to field its many power supply solutions for the lighting industry in the US When you think of international trade and main- she saw the opportunity to manufacture electrical taining sales during this pandemic, you must products – primarily power supply, extension and consider they may relate to both importing and other cords – and to sell them to US companies. exporting. “My Journey is all about perseverance, hardwork- McWong’s International Headquarters in Sacra- ing and willingness to take risk. One of the key mento, California is a good example. With multiple success elements is execution and move fast to US warehouse facilities and two factories in China, make things happen regardless. Delay[s] and not this company continues to import power solutions, making decisions normally generate negative LED drivers and many other products for US light- energy and reduce [your] chance of success,” she ing companies and exports some of its products to said in a recent interview. Canada and Mexico. Ms. Wong says that they were the very first Chinese Margaret Wong originally hails from Hong Kong and manufacturer to obtain a UL listing. Their first UL- runs this far-flung company that has successfully listed products began with electrical ballasts for bridged the two continents for 35 years. Back then, fluorescent lighting. IBNewsmag TM September 2020 page 5 “We began seeing rising labor costs, an unfavor- able currency exchange, and tariff increases from a former 5-7 % to a current 15-20 % as storms were heading our way,” said Ms Wong, “followed by the tsunami of the Covid-19 pandemic. All this has been cutting into our sales these past two years.” “Having said that,” she pointed out, “it’s been our product efficacies, just in time deliveries, and superior customer service that has supported and maintained our sales.” McWong recently teamed with project partners Contemporary Energy Solutions, Pentalux, and Silvair to deploy a large McWong TruBlu control network at Yamaha Motors’ midwestern distribu- tion center located in Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin. Senior Project manager, Jesse Huang at the Sacramento The SIG-qualified TruBlu mesh control network con- warehouse inspecting product. sists of 320 nodes and 40 control zones encompass- ing the 175,000 sq. ft. facility; the resulting estimat- McWong now maintains close to 300 SKUs of its ed energy savings exceed 250,000 kWh annually. power supplies for lighting. At this point, McWong is doing well with its expand- Her product line includes IOT lighting products, ing lines, including lighting ballasts, LED drivers, LED Power, Protection LED Wall, Legacy and several displays, IOT sensors & controls, blue tooth mesh other product lines. It has been this expanding lighting solutions plus a new, in-demand, UV-C light- line of multi-product power supplies that has kept McWong ahead of the increasing wave of competi- McWong, continued on page 6 tion emanating from China. McWong employees working on lighting power supplies. pagepage 66 SeptemberJuly 2017 2020 McWong, continued from page 5 ing product in the battle against the Corona virus. UV-C lighting, which has the shortest wavelength and the highest energy and can act as a Corona virus disinfectant means. The company primarily sells directly to its OEM customers and employs sales reps for additional sales. “For the most part, our customers come to us because of our superior products,” she concluded. McWong employs a total of about 1,000 people in both its China and US facilities. Find out more about McWong and its products at www.mcwonginc.com. Ms. Wong with California Governor Gavin Newsom at a California China Trade function. Senior Electronics Engineer Darren Musgrave working on a LED driver September 2020 page 7 Explore Croatia – available Museum of Broken Relationships, the Stone Gate, Lotrscak Tower and St. Marc’s church are not to to American travelers be missed. It’s also important to explore the areas farmers markets and cafes, and to take a peek For many, the closed borders between countries at the gracious government buildings within this due to COVID-19 mean canceled vacations and capital city. a loss of optimism for travel in the near future. Though foreign vacation options are limited, Cavtat - This lesser known city is only a short Croatia reopened for American tourists earlier this boat ride away from Dubrovnik, and lies along summer (with certain restrictions) and is proud to Croatia’s southern coast. Palm trees and cobble- showcase its many sites to all who choose to visit. stone paths line the shore and perfectly frame the In terms of safety, Forbes listed Zagreb, Cavtat, and deep blue water of the Adriatic Sea. Foodies can Rijeka among the 20 safest European destinations enjoy breathtaking views of the sea while pamper- for travel during this pandemic. ing their taste buds with a fantastic meal at one of several splendid restaurants. Bugenvila is one “Croatia has been glorious - it’s so beautiful and of the most famous for both its view, and its deli- I want to go back as often as I can.” cious steak with truffle foam. One of the country’s - Emilia Clarke (actress) eeriest attractions is located near this city. Visit an abandoned military resort with dilapidated hotel Most flights into Croatia from the USA will arrive buildings and remnants of their war ending in the in Dubrovnik or Zagreb, the capital. Once there, early 90’s. These abandoned hotels of Kupari are a the best way to see Croatia is by car. Rental cars must-see. are generally inexpensive and road conditions are good. Since the country is somewhat smaller than Pula - This city, strategically located at the tip of the state of Florida, domestic travel is quick and the Adriatic coast, is a perfect stopping point for simple. The following sites and activities, scattered lovers of Roman history. In 177 BC, the Romans throughout Croatia, are highly recommended. conquered the Istria peninsula and made it a capital city. The highlight for tourists here is vis- Dubrovnik - A trip to Croatia wouldn’t be iting one of the six largest and best preserved complete without a visit to its most glamorous city. Roman stadiums. The Pula Amphitheatre was built The city’s Old Town district, located within mighty between 27 BC and 68 AD and is still used today, medieval defensive walls, is a UNESCO World seating up to 20,000 spectators. While visiting Heritage site. A 1.5 mile walk around the perim- Pula, stop by the Temple of Augustus and the Arch eter will provide for viewing of fortresses, canons of the Sergii.