Good News, Bad News?

July 14th, 2008 at 10:24am Bob Trojan

For exporting manufacturers who are enjoying a competitive international marketplace due to the low dollar, this weekend struck me with some news that shows what a small, global world we live in.

Last Friday, it was announced that Abu Dhabi Investment Council, an arm of the Gulf emirate government acquired a 90% stake in the Chyrsler building in New Your City. Built in 1930 by Walter Chrysler, it was for a brief time the tallest building in NYC. AbuDhabi I.C. acquired this interest from a German real estate investment company.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/10/nyregion/10chrysler.html

Next, the Belgium beer company In Bev bought the stock of Anheuser-Busch which as we all know makes Budweiser.

Then today, from the Farnborough, England comes word that FlyDubai is buying $3.74 billion of airplanes from Boeing and Etihad Airways, the United Arab Emirates national carrier is buying $9 - 10 billion of Boeing’s airplanes.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/chicago-boeing-orders-farnborough-jul14,0,6011374.story

Sure, maybe some of these transactions may not affect manufacturing, but it sure demonstrates the extent of international business dealings over a short weekend.

Good reason, though, for manufacturers to learn about international business and how it could affect them down the road.

Entry Filed under: Export, Technology, Economy