Frantz Manufacturing Joins Illinois Trade Delegation to Mexico


Frantz Manufacturing Company was invited to join Illinois Governor Pat Quinn on a trade mission to Mexico April 3-6 whose objective is to spur economic opportunities between Illinois and Mexico. Illinois’ exports to Mexico total $6.4B, having grown 11.3% last year. Mexico is Illinois’ second largest export market. Frantz’s material handling products are categorized as Machinery which is the largest export category, totaling $1.2B.



Frantz Manufacturing Senior Vice President Greg Yemm was one of 29 delegates who departed on April 3rd for the mission along with notable Illinois firms including Navistar and Motorola Solutions. Frantz’s history as a small privately held Illinois manufacturer with long term business in Mexico provided some small business perspectives within the delegation.



“Frantz is looking to expand our long term historical relationship with customers and distributors in Mexico as well as globally. Mexico currently is our second largest export market. Our Made in USA bearings and steel balls are a mark of quality that our Mexican customers value for trouble free conveyor operations.” According to Yemm. “The Sterling region’s heritage and demographics include that of a diverse ethnic community with a large Hispanic population. Past immigrants, mainly from Mexico, provided a significant part of the labor force for the light manufacturing that earned our region the moniker ‘Hardware Capital of the World’. It is our intention to grow our business of Made in USA products globally and provide good manufacturing jobs right here in Illinois. The Governor did a great job of presenting the strengths of Illinois as a strong trading partner for Mexican businesses. It was an honor to participate and support his efforts as a representative of Frantz and the local community where Frantz has made our home since 1909.”



Frantz continues to work with the Illinois SBDC (Small Business Development Center) International Trade Center in the Quad Cities and the US Department of Commerce in identifying ways for it to reach out globally, increase exports from Illinois, and rejuvenate manufacturing in northwest Illinois for jobs and prosperity.



Frantz Manufacturing Company’s Bearing Division and ISO/TS-16949:2009 certified Sterling® Steel Ball Division have provided high quality, specialty conveyor solutions for the material handling industry and steel ball solutions for the automotive industry for over 100 years. Based in Sterling, Illinois, USA, since 1909, Frantz utilizes a strong combination of domestic manufacturing, effective critical sourcing solutions, and lean production methods to provide industry recognized highest quality products. Additionally, Frantz has provided superb category management with a remarkable on time delivery performance in less than container lot sizes, effectively meeting customer’s lean production needs and Return On Investment requirements.

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