[Comm-Council] FW: NEWS RELEASE: Governor Announces IMEX Japanese Investment in Oregon

[GRIGGS Chane D * DAS DO]

Theodore R. Kulongoski

          Governor

           

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NEWS Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 28, 2006  

 

Contact:

Lonn Hoklin (503.378.6169 or 503.559.1034)

Mary Ellen Glynn (503.378.4656 or 917.757.7378)

 

IMEX will invest $5.0 million to upgrade Salem plan, Governot announces

Kulongoski urges Japanese to buy Oregon products, invest more in state

 

Tokyo-Japan's IMEX corporation, which has manufactured refilled toner
and ink cartridges in Salem since 2002, will invest $5.0 million in its
Salem facility to upgrade the plant and expand its operations, Oregon
Governor Ted Kulongoski announced after meeting with the company
president in Tokyo.

 

"Your company is helping move America in the right direction by
encouraging consumers to recycle computer products," the Governor told
IMEX president Akira Kitaoka and top company executives.  "Oregon
supports industries like yours-environmentally sustainable companies
that help create a cleaner environment and reduce the consumption of
fossil fuels.  We need to keep computer products out of the landfills,
and you're helping us do that.  You're also helping consumers save
money."

 

Every recycled printer cartridge saves 2.5 liters of oil, Kitaoka told
members of the Governor's trade delegation.  Kitaoka wants to increase
its share of the American market for recycled cartridges, and part of
the challenge is to let consumers know the company is environmentally
friendly, he said.  After operating for four years in Salem, IMEX turned
a profit this year, spurring the investment of $5.0 million to upgrade
its manufacturing facility and launch an aggressive effort to increase
its American market share.

 

Governor Kulongoski has led a delegation of Oregon business leaders and
state trade officials to Japan to promote Oregon products and encourage
investment by Japanese companies in Oregon communities.  Japan is a
leading trading partner with Oregon, and a hundred Japanese companies
employ more than 10,000 Oregon workers.

 

"IMEX is a great corporate citizen, and I'm excited that its experience
in Oregon has prompted its management to invest even more in its Oregon
operation," Governor Kulongoski said.  "This investment means more jobs
for the Salem area and a stronger role for Oregon in a vital industry
that makes our environment healthier and cleaner."

 

Governor highlights Oregon's advantages to Tokyo's business leaders

 

At an evening reception for more than 350 top business leaders in Tokyo,
the Governor made a vigorous pitch for Oregon products and business
opportunities.  

 

"Oregon deeply appreciates doing business with Japan," the Governor said
in his remarks.  "We value your friendship, and I thank you for the role
Japan plays in keeping Oregon's economy growing.  The purpose of my
trade mission is to build even stronger economic ties between Japan and
Oregon by expanding business activity between your nation and my state,
while increasing prosperity on both sides of the Pacific."

 

The Governor stressed Oregon's role as an international capital of Open
Source software development.

 

"Oregon is the home of the Open Source Development Lab (OSDL) and the
Open Source platform Linux," the Governor said.  He pointed out that
several Japanese Companies are members of OSDL, including such industry
giants as NEC, Fujitsu, Mitsubishi, Hitachi and Toshiba.

 

"I believe that Open Source software represents the future of the
software industry, and that Oregon will help lead the world to that
future," the Governor said.

The Governor also emphasized Oregon's leadership in nanotechnology, and
as a model for unifying the efforts of government, higher education and
the private sector in establishing a vibrant new aspect of research and
development.  Nanotechnology is the development and use of devices that
have a size of only a few nanometers, which is smaller than many
molecules.

 

The direct result of that collaboration is the Oregon Nanoscience and
Microtechnologies Institute (ONAMI), which operates with resources
provided by Oregon State University, the University of Oregon, Portland
State University, and the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory.

 

"As Oregon's first 'signature research center,' ONAMI will help expand
our innovation economy, and bolster Oregon's leadership in
nanotechnology research, development and advanced engineering," the
Governor said.  "I invite Japanese companies to join us, to share in our
progress and reap the financial rewards."

 

Like the Japanese, Oregonians place a high value on their environment,
the Governor added, which is why Oregon has become an international
leader in sustainable development.

 

"We believe in enacting policies that enable us to support a thriving
business climate, vibrant communities, and a healthy environment," the
Governor said.

 

-30-

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