International Trade committee  To remain competitive we have to expand research, development, and technology. If we hadn't gone down that path, once an opportunity was in front of us we wouldn't have been able to utilize it. Now we're doing a lot of that in-house to look at new ways of finding technology and t

International Trade committee  As far as the technology and supporting that aspect is concerned, more could be done. I feel we are maybe lacking in regard to some of that. We've had to do that internally. It is a very competitive market out there, especially with the region of low-cost manufacturing, because

International Trade committee  We couldn't have done it in this timeframe. A lot of the opportunities are time sensitive. When you're dealing with a large organization, as Jacques has indicated, opportunities come and go. Being able to get in front of the opportunity at the right time is the difference between

International Trade committee  I would have to agree fully with Jacques on that. Just to add to that, I think a lot of the companies need to make sure that they're qualified to work with the customers they're going after. In a lot of cases, it's not a lack of the trade commissioner service, but rather the com

International Trade committee  Absolutely. Jacques and I are dealing in the same arena.

International Trade committee  I would say that our trade service is superior. The only situations I've heard of are relationship-based, so it's down to an individual. As far as the overall service and packages of supplies go, I've heard that in comparison with the U.S. system, ours is superior. I was just d

International Trade committee  Exactly. Their credibility helps open that door. A lot of times when you're further along in the process, you've already got the relationship established, but getting that first door opened and doing that cost effectively.... On ventures where we've gone and done it ourselves, we

International Trade committee  Okay, I can speak to that. The trade commissioner service has given us the means to increase our success. Rather than having to spend extensively on resources and essentially representatives—and that sort of thing that can be extremely costly to the bottom line—we can invest in

International Trade committee  To Jacques' earlier comments, I think there are priority areas, and having resources is paramount in those areas so I wouldn't change that at all because it would be a direct detriment to our business if that happened. I find them a very valuable resource, and specifically, we kn

International Trade committee  Just Like Jacques has said, there are key areas in the States. Our customer base is pretty much the same. We're at an earlier stage of development, so for us the trade commissioners are still playing an extremely vital role. I work with them extensively. Not a day goes by where I

International Trade committee  I agree with Jacques, and specifically to Spain, I agree with him in that situation across the board. However, I think it's just a matter of performance. There is always going to be the need to weed out some of the less productive, but I think that's something that could be done

International Trade committee  I would have to agree with Jacques. As far as the financing goes, that doesn't seem to be an issue. Customers pay well. That's not really an issue at all, so we have no issue in that regard.

International Trade committee  I'd have to agree with Jacques. The trade commissioners with whom we've had the most success have a history with the actual customers we're dealing with. I actually find it a bit of a detriment when there is a change, because getting a new trade commissioner up to speed, where th

International Trade committee  I would have to agree with Jacques. Internationally, it's been an excellent arrangement, and the fact that there are dedicated individuals specific to aerospace has been very advantageous for us. On the international floor, I think that's been phenomenal. However, to improve th

International Trade committee  Yes, I can hear you.