Governor returns to China on trade mission

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by Josh Egbert

Story Created: Jul 31, 2012 at 5:47 PM CDT

Story Updated: Jul 31, 2012 at 6:30 PM CDT

Nebraska and China have become quite the trade partners. It's one of the state's fastest growing markets, having more than doubled during the past five years.

This week, Governor Dave Heineman and a number of Nebraska business owners are in China promoting their products.

One of those businesses is from right here in Hastings.

Jack Schreiner of Bruckman Rubber Company is accompanying the Governor on this trade mission. Schreiner is just one of several business owners using this trade mission as a way to bring their Nebraska made products overseas.

Bruckman Rubber Company in Hastings was founded over 50 years ago. What started out as a small rubber molding shop has now evolved into world-class supplier of rubber products with customers all over the United States to Canada, Mexico, Europe, Asia and now China.

Jack Schreiner is representing Bruckman Rubber in China. Also on the trip, Preferred Popcorn.

"We have been, this year, able to ship a significant amount of popcorn to China and, interestingly, all of that has to be purchased by the Chinese government."

It's all part of Governor Dave Heineman's trade mission to China.

"Short term or long term, we still need to be interested in global markets; we compete in a global economy."

In a statement about the trade mission, the Governor says China is a logical choice for this mission. China has been the second most active foreign investor during the past three years with six new investments in Nebraska.

"I know we can compete every single day and that's why I'm willing to make this trade mission to China."

The Governor's pitching such products like automotive machinery, medical equipment and supplies and of course corn, but with the drought we've experienced this summer, the state can't afford to trade something that scarce.

"I think we're going to have a very significant corn and soy bean crop, I know the cattle industry is very concerned because of the lack of pasture right now."

The Governor also announced Tuesday a partnership between Nebraska and the Shaanxi Provence.

This is the second partnership between Nebraska and a Chinese Provence.

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