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Local execs boost ties to Mexico

By EDDIE STOWE
The Times
Photo
Paula Stuhr The Times

Jim Petersen, left, and John Chiarella discuss a brochure for Latin American operations Friday at Gainco Inc. They are headed to Mexico to discuss trade and economic development with state Department of Economic Development Commissioner Craig Lesser.

Gainco Inc.

# What: Automated weight systems for poultry and meat processing

# Where: 1655 Oakbrook Drive, Gainesville

# Employees: 45

# Contact: (770) 534-0703


Two executives from a Gainesville firm are off to Mexico this week, accompanying state officials as they seek to increase diplomatic relations with Latin American businesses.

Jim Peterson, sales director with Gainco Inc., and John Chiarella, the company's regional sales manager, are heading today to Mexico City with Georgia Department of Economic Development Commissioner Craig Lesser and 12 to 15 state business representatives.

"Our mission is really twofold," Peterson said. "We want to establish relationships as we partner with companies, and we want to promote and export our products. We have focused on Latin America as part of our strategic plan."

Gainco, on Oakbrook Drive in Gainesville, designs and manufactures scale systems and online electronic weighing, sizing and distribution systems for poultry, red meat and food processing industries.

Peterson said Gainco has a product called Dura-weigh, a line of bench and floor scales used to weigh chicken breast fillets and other portions of meat in food processing.

"Sales are quite strong and we have tripled our sales volume in Latin American in the past year," Peterson said. "We want to maintain a direct sales channel in Mexico. And we are looking for distributors to market our products."

Peterson said the mission to Mexico would, "explore relationships that will enable us to bring in revenue and establish more jobs."

Earlier this year, Chiarella represented Gainco at a Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce-sponsored meeting that focused on exports to Latin America. During that session, Chiarella said Gainco was going after markets in Brazil and ChilÈ.

"Brazil is our No. 1 market and behind them is Mexico," Peterson said.

Lesser said Mexico ranks third among Georgia's export designation partners.

"It is about relationships," said Lesser describing the goals of the mission. "This trip is focused on small and medium-sized businesses."

Lesser said the group has scheduled about two dozen visits with other businesses to help further Georgia's standing in the free trade market and help the state land the headquarters of the proposed Free Trade Area of the Americas.

In 2004, Georgia's exports to Mexico totaled $1.5 billion. Through the second quarter of this year, exports have totaled $744 million.

Georgia's top exports to Mexico include computer and electronic products; chemicals; transportation equipment; textiles and fabrics; machinery; electrical equipment; appliances and components; plastic; rubber and paper.

Mexican companies with subsidiary operations in Georgia include AeroMexico, Group Industrial Durango, Latin American Pay Television, Ocean Garden Products Inc., Roca Food Sales Inc. and Softek.

Georgia companies with significant operations in Mexico include Coca-Cola, ING, Delta, Equifax, Gold Kist, Inter-Continental Hotels, Scientific-Atlanta, Turner Broadcasting Systems and UPS.

E-mail: estowe@gainesvilletimes.com

Originally published Wednesday, September 7, 2005