SHAHEEN: EXPORTING AND CLEAN ENERGY WILL CREATE JOBS IN NEW HAMPSHIRE
(Washington, D.C.) - U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen today cited exporting and clean energy as keys to New Hampshire's long term economic growth during a visit to Goss International in Durham. Shaheen highlighted Goss, a manufacturer of large-scale printing presses and finishing systems, as a prime example of what companies must do to compete in today's global economy. To supplement its printing equipment operations and extend its core high-tech manufacturing capabilities to the emerging clean energy economy, Goss International recently pursued and won a contract to manufacture wind turbine components at its Durham facility. Shaheen was joined by Goss International President and CEO Jochen Meissner.
"Exporting and clean energy are critical to New Hampshire's future economic growth, and we must ensure that our state remains a leader in these two important areas," said Shaheen. "By aggressively exporting their products and expanding into clean energy technologies, Goss International is proving that the future of manufacturing in New Hampshire is bright."
Goss International currently has more than 500 employees in New Hampshire and exports printing presses and finishing systems for newspaper, magazine, catalog and other applications to countries throughout the Americas, Europe, and Asia. Earlier this year, Shaheen helped in securing financing from the U.S. Export-Import Bank for two Goss printing presses sold to two companies in Mexico.
Starting this fall, the company will begin training employees in the manufacture of mid-sized wind turbines, with assembly of the first components slated to begin toward the end of the year.
"Our business and our industry are directly impacted by issues ranging from trade, export, and postal regulations to health care and job training," said Meissner. "Senator Shaheen has continually shown a strong interest in and actively supported our manufacturing operations and our employees here in New Hampshire, and we are very happy to have such a strong advocate for our business and workers by our side."
Since joining the Senate, Shaheen has advocated strongly for increased exporting. She cosponsored legislation to strengthen Small Business Administration programs that assist small exporters and, in March of this year, hosted the Granite State Export Fair which brought together state and federal trade officials and other resources to help New Hampshire businesses gain access to new markets.
Shaheen was the first New Hampshire Governor to lead a trade mission overseas and the four trade missions she led during her administration resulted in $500 million in projected sales for New Hampshire businesses. Shaheen also significantly increased the state's investment in the International Trade Resource Center, which offers New Hampshire companies one-stop shopping for a wide range of services to help them develop new markets for their products and services.
New Hampshire trade officials report that export activity supports more than 40,000 jobs in New Hampshire.
