World Tradewinds
March - April 2003 - Issue N. 116
A Publication of the Monterey Bay International Trade Association (MBITA)
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MBITA CORPORATE SPONSORS:
MBITA PARTNERS & AFFILIATES:
Fri, Feb 21st
Business In A Foreign Culture - Trade Carefully for Success Luncheon El Palomar Restaurant Fri, March 21st
Information Technology & Global eCommerce Solutions For Small Business Luncheon The new Univ. of Ca. MBEST Center Fri. April 11th
Global Trade Meets the World Wide Web Conference Conference Sponsored by MBITA and the Monterey Institute of International Studies (MIIS To register for MBITA luncheons, call 831-469-0148 or email info@mbita.org including the event specifics you are signing up for in the subject line. For more detail on MBITA business events, go to http://www.mbita.org/events/home.php3 MBITA BOARD OF DIRECTORS:
 President Vice President Members: Victor Cordell Marcelo Siero Jim Faith Phil Cisneros Cristina Polesel Nora Jones MBITA Contact Info
725 Front St. Ste 104 If you would like to have an article published on this newsletter please contact the editor by email. This newsletter has been created by MBITA's editor MBITA Partners' Newsletters Links: CalTrade Report |
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MBITA's UPDATE
Investment vehicles for foreign partners, energy saving technologies to ground-breaking global satellite phone companies have joined the MBITA ranks. All these businesses have one thing in common, finding foreign partners. MBITA looks forward to serving our membership with trade promotion services. Go to the MBITA website (http://www.mbita.org) and CLICK on 'Services' for more details. Robert "Tony" Livoti |
MBITA New Corporate Sponsor "GLOBALSTAR L.P."
Satellite telephones have been around since the 1970s, but until recently, they were bulky, awkward to use, and very expensive. The current generation of satphones, however, has turned this industry on its head, making inexpensive, pocket-sized phone units available for use from almost anywhere in the world. Of all the providers today of handheld satellite phones, Globalstar is by far the most widely-used. With over 80,000 subscribers, Globalstar provides very high-quality voice and data communications services in more than 100 countries and across vast ocean areas, far beyond the reach of terrestrial-based wireless systems. And Globalstar calls can be made for as little as 17 cents a minute. Globalstar phones are used today by a wide variety of businesses and government organizations that need to stay in touch no matter where they go. These include maritime industries, transport operators, pipeline companies and forestry and mining businesses. In the government sector, agencies at the federal, state and local level use Globalstar phones for law enforcement, search and rescue and even fire-fighting operations in remote areas. Globalstar was originally developed as a partnership between several of the world's foremost aerospace and telecommunications companies, including Loral Space & Communications, Qualcomm, France Telecom, Alcatel, China Telecom, Vodafone, Finmeccanica, and DaimlerChrysler Aerospace. Following the construction and launch of its 48-satellite constellation, the company launched commercial service in early 2000. Its unique CDMA-based architecture not only ensures exceptionally clear and secure voice signals but also provides for remarkably reliable connections, as each call is carried by up to four satellites simultaneously. If the signal to one satellite is blocked by a building or other obstruction, the call is switched seamlessly and automatically to another satellite, retaining the connection. Globalstar also offers 9.6 kbps data service, the highest true data speed of any handheld satellite phone, and multichannel modem products have been developed to provide still higher speeds. A variety of other products and accessories have also been developed for a wide range of applications, including maritime and aviation uses. Contact: MBITA New Member: Utility Systems Corporation
Utility Systems recently formed an alliance with Pacific Systems Control Technology on a Chinese venture with Holley Import & Export Company of China. Holley is China's leading provider of electric meters and related equipment, systems and services. Pacific Systems is a technology company that concentrates on the utilities metering and power automation industry.
The total order of $20 million in meters will be divided into five releases to be delivered over a period of approximately two years. The meters are sophisticated intelligent meters for use in communications systems, energy management, and on-line energy control environments. These new fully electronic units have the ability to give instantaneous visibility to customers and utilities of the quality and consumption of power over broadband, 100 Megabit network links and the Internet. Initial applications include the world's largest power distribution systems inside of China. "These products, once successfully delivered to end users, will represent the new world standard in performance, cost-effectiveness and technology." says Mr. Richard (LiCheng) Wang, Chairman of both the Holley Group of China and also Pacific Systems."I am delighted to see that Pacific Systems can finally take advantage of the vast Chinese market through the presence of the Holley Group," remarks Mr. Wang. Mr. Wang."This was my vision from the start, to have Pacific Systems source technology products in the U.S. and sell them into China through Holley's already established marketing contacts", continues Mr.Wang. Holley is currently the largest shareholder of Pacific Systems. "This is a landmark partnership of technology, market and production capability", stated Dr. John Heibel, Chairman and CEO of Utility Systems. "We are excited to be in an alliance with the world-leading electric utility meter provider - the Holley Group - in the Pacific Systems Venture." Contact: Silicon Valley Executive Lou Panetta Joins MBITA
 MBITA is pleased to announce the recent membership of Mr. Lou Panetta. Lou is the former president and CEO of Fujitsu Personal Systems, Inc., the world leader in Tablet PC and hand-held mobile computers. Under Panetta's direction, Fujitsu Personal Systems captured more than 60% of the worldwide market and achieved a 50% compounded annual growth rate. In addition, Panetta rebuilt the company's U.S. sales channel and expanded operations into Europe, Australia and South America, establishing more than 400 value-added resellers and system integrators worldwide. Lou is currently on the Board of Directors of two Public Companies and is available to discuss business opportunities with other MBITA Members who are faced with Marketing, General Management or International business opportunities. In addition to the above, Lou has founded an eCommerce Venture backed start-up focusing on the mobile computing and wireless industry. His Internet application and infrastructure knowledge has proved to be invaluable as 21st century companies move to knowledge based strategies. A new member called Milestone Consulting has joined the MBITA membership. Milestone Consulting is a financial services firm that helps high net-worth clients, and family held businesses accumulate and preserve wealth on a tax-favored basis. Until recently Milestone has concentrated its efforts in reducing client income and estate tax liabilities within the United States. With the availability of very inexpensive sources of money, Milestone is now participating in an international initiative focused on wealth accumulation in Mexico and Japan.  Last year, MBITA member SynapseFusion, Inc. and BLOONATIC LLC combined forces in a joint venture called The Bloofusion Group, based in Silicon Valley. Bloofusion currently has signed up several new clients around the world, ranging from top national universities to culinary schools, European translation bureaus to boating supplies companies.  |
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After a year of negotiations and product development the contract was signed for the delivery of $20 million of four types of fully electronic and modularly designed electricity meters to China. The transaction with Holley as the buyer calls for products specifically designed and manufactured for Pacific Systems and Holley by Utility Systems of Scotts Valley, California. This Utility Systems alliance is the first such sale of advanced metering products by Pacific Systems.