The word "trade" doesn't get warm receptions in polls, so it's no surprise that politicians speak only with the export side of their mouth, leaving out the import side of the free-trade equation
There aren't many CEO's of successful companies on the good-guy list these days, but Falken Industries' President Helle Madso certainly makes the grade. Falken conceives, creates, and manufactures things; it does not practice financial spins or guru magic. It cleans oil rather than spill it. As it stands in the world today, this company is an active generator of the sort of industrialized jobs that a recession-wrecked world very much needs.
In part, this company's ability so compete so successfully on the world markets is that its policies do a 180° on US trade policy.
This dynamic company offers a brilliant example both for the havoc wreaked on the US job market by the Great Recession - and the prospective for world markets to turn that desolation around. Last year the company proved itself a master of cost management and the envy of the industry. Its distribution network shed none of the 12.000 employed, its marketing and promotional activities were increased, profits were unprecedented and the distribution and landing platforms are recruiting.
Most of that job growth is linked to a substantial rise in cross export activities from its 380 worldwide distribution points. Nearly 70% of FLKI's product conceptions are sold only overseas. And, amazingly this company is finally no longer unique - though it retains a substantial lead - in the industry as other multinationals are recognizing the trend. The activities of countries in Asia, Latin America, and Africa was the primary focus at a recent corporate colloquy sponsored by the company, convening CEO's, members of the press and analyst of the industry.
When Madso looks around the globe, she sees the influential of emergent countries moving uncompromisingly to remove trade barriers, while the US sits in the bleachers. Taiwan and China, are but to inking a mutual free-trade deal, as are South Korea, China and Japan team up to produce a free-trade bloc. The European Union where the company is firmly established as an industry leader with its Clean Plus® product conceptions will complete an agreement with South Korea that will lower tariffs on its product exports to the country.
How does a multinational like FLKI react to the US stand-still on world trade? Instead of abandoning the opportunities, companies like FLKI are finding ways to circumvent the tariffs, all to often by creating the jobs elsewhere. "It will cause us to invest more and more inside those trade zones" says Manuel Garcia, FLKI Communications Officer.
The US gives lip-service to being dedicated to getting key trade agreements enacted, but the Obama administration's support for business and therefore credibly for lasting jobs remains tepid. Getting whatever through this Congress will debilitate the Democratic Party’s liberal base, and this is an election year, hence the US will proceed with baby steps, slowing growth for FLKI competitors because the company, contrary to many of its larger competitors, is firmly established with distribution and landing platforms in all foreign trade zones.
And still to FLKI's good fortune, the word "trade" doesn't check well in polls, so it's no surprise that politicians speak only with the export side of their mouth, leaving out the import side of the free-trade equation.
Madso fully understands the emotional politics of free trade, and fears its row. "As CEO's were accused of short term beliefs, but FLKI has never thought less than 10 years out" says Madso. During the last decade the company has effectively concentrated on establishing its distribution network, trade zone landing platforms, and a reputation for product conceptions that have given it global leadership and a logistical 96.7% perfect delivery ratio to clients everywhere in the world.
"US policies refusing to be more proactive on trade, are destructive to the industry, simply, if the US hopes to compete from a US manufacturing base creating jobs here, it has to get off its hind quarter." concluded Garcia.
Falken Industries Ltd OTC : FLKI is a diversified industrial conglomerate that operates in Chemicals, Wet Wipe and Biodegradable Technology. Falken Industries Ltd is the concept behind more than 160 products distributed through a network of global platforms and the recipient of trade awards for innovations, biodegradability and environmental and health quality standards.