United States looks to build on strong regional aerospace and defense partnerships
Seoul, Republic of Korea and Waldwick, NJ, USA - The close alliance between the United States and the Republic of Korea will be prominently on display at Seoul ADEX 2019 (Oct. 15-20) with 40-plus American exhibitors on-site and a dozen U.S. military aircraft on static display.
Notable among the American manufacturers, technology innovators and supply-chain leaders participating in this year’s show — the largest national presence from outside of South Korea — are leading OEMs with significant in-country operations, including The Boeing Company (Boeing Korea was established in 1988 and currently employs 200); Lockheed Martin Korea (this wholly-owned subsidiary has helped the Republic of Korea with integration for major defense and civil programs to address national priorities for more than 30 years); and Northrop Grumman (an office in Seoul since 1991 anchors a strong partnership focused on these key areas of cooperation: Cyber, Logistics, Autonomous Systems, C4ISR, and Strike).
The collective national presence is a strong indication of how important South Korea is to the United States, and that buyers and influencers there are looking to the U.S. for innovative solutions and partners to help ensure their national, homeland and economic security.
“The Republic of Korea is one of the most important countries in the world for defense and aerospace trade with the U.S.,” said U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Korea, Harry Harris. “The combined presence of U.S. companies demonstrates the strength and dynamism of the U.S. defense and aerospace industries and a commitment to increased partnering with the Republic of Korea. I am confident that the relationships formed during this year’s ADEX-Seoul Air Show will enhance not only our mutual security but also increase economic growth between our countries.”
The centerpiece of the American national presence at Seoul ADEX 2019 is the USA Partnership Pavilion, organized for the fourth consecutive edition by Kallman Worldwide, Inc., in coordination with government agencies including the U.S. departments of Commerce, Defense and State. Located prominently in Hall A, the Pavilion is America’s headquarters on-site: an efficient location for buyers to meet more U.S. suppliers, a high-profile showcase for American exhibitors looking to maximize their exposure and impact at the event, and a forum for all to share ideas and insights.
The 28 U.S. exhibitors in the Pavilion represent 15 states. Five are new to the show, and all are looking to generate new business and create more jobs back home, either by growing exports, expanding in-region and/or recruiting overseas partners to establish or participate in operations back home.
Kallman Worldwide President and CEO Tom Kallman said the strong American participation in the USA Partnership Pavilion at Seoul ADEX 2019 reflects a global trend.
“Now more than ever, success in international trade comes from partnership and teamwork. The USA Partnership Pavilion sharpens our focus on advancing America’s national security and economic interests by building stronger relationships with our international customers,” Kallman said. “From publicly traded OEMs to small-and-medium sized enterprises with fewer than 500 employees, many of our exhibitors already have significant partnerships and operations in South Korea. In the years to come, many more will.”
Ken Keegan, executive vice president of first-time Pavilion exhibitor Jonal Laboratories of Meriden, CT, said he’s glad to capitalize on the unified U.S. presence in the Pavilion and home-state support to step into the South Korean market. The company this week will introduce a new large seal capability with mold presses up to three meters and specializing in air frame seals.
“A unified national presence at Seoul ADEX is an imperative since this is one of the key global aerospace markets, and Korea is both a large purchaser and provider of aerospace products,” said Keegan. “We should have a unified national presence at all the major shows globally, and in many respects the U.S. Department of Commerce office in Connecticut shows the way in providing the type of leadership and resources required for our state companies to make the connections that result in new opportunities for business.”
