WVDO executive director and West Virginia Department of Commerce cabinet secretary Kelley Goes told ILN the biennial event, held October 27-30, included eight companies exhibiting with the state agency and another five exhibiting on their own.

The companies were ChemBio Shelter, ConveyWeigh, Eastern Mining and Industrial Supply, Lifepod International, Petitto Mine Equipment, Phillips Machine Service, Preiser Scientific, Tabor Machine, Carbonoks, Guyan International, JH Fletcher, Kanawha Scales and Systems, and Mining Controls.

Goes said the agency reserved a West Virginia-focused pavilion and collaborated with each co-exhibitor to develop a one-page company profile in English and in Chinese. It also arranged for interpreters onsite and coordinated a reception with suppliers, current and prospective customers and industry officials from the US and China.

“WVDO has participated in the show every two years since 1999. In 2007, the mission to the … exhibition was led by governor Joe Manchin,” Goes said.

“Our return this year follows up his good work and continues to build on the relationships he began.”

The agency requested the partner companies be willing and able to invest in the enhancement of their export trade and have an exportable product. Before the event, the WVDO and suppliers also worked together to study the mining sector in China to ensure a good fit.

While the expo was just four days, many companies visited the country for upwards of a week. Goes said the suppliers returned to the US November 1 unless other arrangements were made.

“Participating in these trips helps West Virginia’s small and mid-size companies to export their products. Building their export business helps the companies grow, bring more dollars into the state and retain West Virginia jobs,” the WVDO told ILN.

“Companies have said that taking part in a trade mission has saved them six months or more in planning, coordination and making successful contacts with prospective customers and representatives.”

While the office pointed out that the exhibition was not a technology exchange, but rather an opportunity for the state’s industry to offer its products and services to a global audience, miner safety was of particular interest to both countries and, as such, had allowed increasingly open talks.

“Since the governor’s trip to Shanxi Province in 2007, we have been building a relationship with the mining industry in China to address issues of safety,” Goes said.