Custom Manufacturing & Engineering, Inc., CEO Discusses Going Global

Entering the global marketplace as a small business is the topic of discussion on the latest edition of the Florida Chamber’s Bottom Line.

“We live in a global world; to limit yourself to one marketplace is not a good business decision in today’s world.” – DR. NANCY CREWS, CEO of Custom Manufacturing & Engineering, Inc.

Dr. Nancy Crews, owner and CEO of Custom Manufacturing & Engineering, Inc. (CME), a Pinellas County electronic and electrical company that manufactures power management equipment, sensors, and test and calibration equipment, talked about her experience as a small business owner entering the international marketplace.

As one of several speakers at the Florida Chamber’s 2017 International Days event, held February 14-15 in Tallahassee, Dr. Crews said CME benefitted greatly from Enterprise Florida, Inc.’s assistance in getting a foot in the door when she decided to take her company global.

“We live in a global world. To limit yourself to one marketplace is not a good business decision in today’s world. When we decided to go global we utilized two different aspects of the economic development help that is available to small businesses,” DR. CREWS said. “One is we went to the small business development centers, and we were able to get a marketing plan. The other thing that we did…was [utilize] the trade mission Enterprise Florida allows you to have, and we went on a trade mission with them.”

The Florida Chamber’s International Days is key in bringing business, industries and legislative leaders from around the world together to discuss the future of FLorida’s trade. The relationships that comes from the event are crucial to small businesses looking to expand globally, shared Dr. Crews.

“We were able to create new networks,” said DR. CREWS. “I found the [General] Counsels talking about what each country was trying to do in the United States for their companies and also with our companies…was also very helpful and very informative to us.

Meeting some of the other small business people and saying ‘we should get together and talk’ and all those things came about just from one day with International Days.”

Learn More About How to Get Involved in the Florida Chamber’s International Program

Click here or contact Dan Tapia at dtapia@flchamber.com.