Sales Development
(Metal Stamper for Automotive Drive Train and Transmission Parts) – U.S. manufacturers of drive train parts must constantly operate in the shadow of "the China price," and, in addition, they compete against a steady stream of imports from Japan, Canada and Mexico. In 2008, this Ohio firm responded to these pressures with a strategy to increase exports to China and Eastern Europe. Since the firm did not have the internal capabilities for such an initiative, a TAAF project was initiated with a sales development consultant who had years of experience selling to U.S. auto companies and possessed key contacts at foreign firms. The project was completed in 2009 after three major projects were won, and many quotes were pending. This TAAF project developed internal capabilities and established external business relationships that will help the firm continue to expand its export sales long into the future.