FB International LLC, Helping business go global

08/28/2023

See it to believe it! Hyzon Motors’ hydrogen fuel cell truck is a game-changer for the industry, at the benefit of the . In this video, you see the truck quietly leaving the parking lot, without any fumes.

06/09/2020

Another great webinar from the International Trade Club of Chicago for all involved in Manufacturing.

On Thursday, June 11th, join online the International Trade Club of Chicago for this provocative and non-technical presentation as Aaron Flaaen and Justin Pierce sort out the competing claims of the benefits and costs of tariffs and their effects on economic growth, global supply chains and industrial revitalization in the post-pandemic global economy.

To register, go to www.itcc.org.

https://itcc.wildapricot.org/event-3860017

Aaron Flaaen is a senior economist at the Federal Reserve Board of Governors and an adjunct professor at Georgetown University. His research interests lie at the intersection of international trade and macroeconomics, with a particular focus on the causes and consequences of multinational firms. His...

05/29/2020

Spain looks to tourism to address its economic woes, relaxing restrictions for travelers from the Eurozone. They may still face a quarantine period when they return home, however, especially for tourists coming from the UK.
https://www.express.co.uk/news/world/1287476/Spain-tourism-coronavirus-border-travel-coronavirus-covid19-quarantine-holiday

SPAIN has called for all countries in the European Union to set up common rules regarding the reopening of borders as coronavirus lockdown measures are eased.

05/28/2020

Infection rates have fallen around the world, but countries aren't eager to open up their borders just yet. This comprehensive article breaks down the current travel policies of Spain, France, the UK, Taiwan, Greece, Italy, and Germany.
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2020/05/28/quarantine-rules-spain-france-italy/

What lessons can be drawn from quarantine measures elsewhere for controlling the arrival of potentially infected travellers into the UK?

05/26/2020

Tourism in Europe suffered major losses. Now, it’s trying to make a comeback with “travel bubbles” that allow tourists from certain countries to travel freely between each other. Opponents of the proposition say this selectivity goes against the foundations of the EU.
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/coronavirus-countries-try-travel-bubbles-save-post-lockdown-tourist-season-n1212691

Facing the loss of a significant part of their economies, some countries in Europe are banding together to ease travel restrictions and avoid quarantines.

05/22/2020

Purchasing has stalled across the US economy, but people are still buying pickup trucks—enough to make dealerships worry their inventory won’t keep up.

Jerry Bill is worried the novel coronavirus could hurt business at the Des Moines auto dealership he runs, but not because of a shortage of buyers for the big Ram pickups on his lot.

05/21/2020

From mergers and downsizing to consumers purchasing fewer vehicles, the auto industry will face major transformations in the coming years.
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/13/business/auto-industry-pandemic.html

Plunging sales could force factories to close and lead to takeovers and mergers, but also bolster sales of electric cars.

05/18/2020

Mexico produces several components that keep auto plants running in the States. The country’s decision to reopen automotive factories is a positive sign for the US auto industry.
https://www.thedetroitbureau.com/2020/05/mexico-ready-to-allow-auto-plants-to-reopen/

Mexico Ready to Allow Auto Plants to Reopen Entire North American manufacturing network set to be back up and running. by Paul A. Eisenstein | May 15, 2020 GM’s Mexican headquarters. Like competitors, it has a network of operations south of the border. Reversing course, Mexican government official...

05/15/2020

Some industries are witnessing a surge in orders, most notably for packaging and cleaning agents. The trade-off, executives say, isn’t always worth the extra costs and safety concerns.

Kevin Kelly has discovered the many ways a deadly pandemic can be both a boom and a burden on some U.S. businesses.

05/13/2020

"Since the problem of “distance” can’t be solved without the adoption of technology, we’re going to see many years worth of innovation in the next 18 months. Many of these solutions will bring greater efficiency, lower costs, and less waste, enabling them to outlast the pandemic and pay for themselves quickly."

The manufacturing industry must innovate for COVID-19 and these are the two areas where technology investments will happen first – necessity is truly the mother of invention.

05/13/2020

"Since the problem of “distance” can’t be solved without the adoption of technology, we’re going to see many years worth of innovation in the next 18 months. Many of these solutions will bring greater efficiency, lower costs, and less waste, enabling them to outlast the pandemic and pay for themselves quickly."

05/11/2020

With the auto industry in a global slump, VW is testing out new, customer-focused initiatives to encourage car purchases
https://europe.autonews.com/automakers/vw-increases-efforts-lure-german-buyers-back-showrooms

The automaker will offer improved financing terms and payment-protection insurance to revive demand as consumer uncertainty risks hindering factory restarts.