Global Chamber announces first patron

A new global trade initiative from Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce is already bearing fruit - by accelerating a manufacturing firm 's expansion into Mexico.

Ginho Group, the global automotive components manufacturer with European headquarters in Burton-upon-Trent, has become the first patron of the new Greater Birmingham Global Chamber of Commerce.

And the Chinese-owned firm is seeing the benefits already thanks to an introduction from the Chamber which has sped up plans to open a facility in Mexico.

Ginho 's European managing director Shaun Gray, who is also president of the Burton & District Chamber of Commerce, said: “We 've made a clear commitment to our customers and supply chain that we intend to open a Mexico facility to follow the global demands of our customers and to continue to offer our supply chain solutions globally.

“Introductions made through the Global Chamber to the Mexican Embassy has helped us speed that process up.

“Up until a few weeks ago, we were still doing a lot of fact-finding but the Mexican Embassy have put us in touch with the right people - not only from a national government point of view but in the two regions where we 'd like to establish our business.

“They are now putting plans in place for us to talk to them directly and to visit those regions.

“It can often take weeks or months to talk to the right people but this has shortened that process and has given us the confidence that we can establish our business this year, which was our corporate goal.

Ginho already has a huge presence globally - with 1,800 employees in China, Europe the UK and the US.

As a patron of the Global Chamber, Shaun says the firm hopes to pass on valuable insights to other Midlands firms who are looking to do business internationally.

He said: “The Chamber locally helped us establish our supply chain partners. We now have a lot of connections globally with freight companies and the automotive sector.

“Wherever we can, we 'd like to join those dots to bring more of the global supply chain back to the Midlands.

“We travel the world, so in terms of bringing economic data back to organisations at the Chamber, we can give real time feedback on what we 're seeing in North America, Mexico, China, Germany and all the places in Europe where we 're doing business.

“You don 't always get that from looking at reports or parts of the media. We 're willing to share what we know and who we know. ”

First announced at the GBCC 's Global Trade Conference in February, the Global Chamber replaces the Greater Birmingham Commonwealth Chamber of Commerce, which was set up in 2018 to create bilateral trade links with Commonwealth countries before, during and immediately after the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.

Mandy Haque, the GBCC 's international director, said: “I am delighted that the Global Chamber has already received such positive feedback and interest and we look forward to working with the existing members of the Commonwealth division as well as new members that are attracted due to the further global reach. ”

Mark Smith, executive director of business engagement at Aston University and previously president of the Commonwealth Chamber, is the Global Chamber 's first president.

He said: “We know that whilst many companies looked again at their supply chains in a post pandemic world, with the global movement of goods seeing some rebalancing, the flow of services and talent remains a worldwide priority.

“In this landscape, firms in Birmingham and the wider West Midlands are presented with many opportunities to consolidate and grow their international footprints, making and exporting quality commodities to the world and adding value to other goods and services before they reach their eventual markets overseas or domestically.

“Greater Birmingham Global Chamber of Commerce is designed to help firms succeed in both these areas, with practical assistance, introductions and support. ”

Pictured: Shaun Gray, Nick Barton Birmingham Airport CEO), Mark Smith Mandy Haque and Brenda VanHorn, commercial counselor for the US Embassy in London.