Via Stevens & Lee/Griffin International ![]() LANCASTER, PA, March 12, 2018 – Stevens & Lee/Griffin International President and CEO Wilfred H. Muskens was officially installed as the new Honorary Consul in Philadelphia of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. The ceremony was performed by Netherlands Consul General Dolph Hogewoning on February 28, 2018, in Philadelphia, PA. A native of the Netherlands, Mr. Muskens has an extensive background in international business development. Prior to joining Stevens & Lee/Griffin International, he served as Deputy Secretary for the Office of International Business Development for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED), where he led a team of over 50 international economic development specialists and foreign-based trade and investment representatives. His previous experience with the Commonwealth includes serving as Executive Director of the Center for Direct Investment and Director of Foreign Investment for the Governor’s Action Team. Before joining DCED, Mr. Muskens was a Project Manager and Public Relations Consultant for several organizations in Europe, where he oversaw new investment projects, proposed possible sites for companies considering expansion, and developed communication and business development strategies. Mr. Muskens is fluent in English, French, Dutch and German. He earned master’s degrees from Bordeaux University, France, and Utrecht University, Netherlands. He earned an undergraduate degree from Utrecht University and attended Hull University, United Kingdom. ABOUT STEVENS & LEE/GRIFFIN INTERNATIONAL Stevens & Lee/Griffin International assists companies in capitalizing on the wide range of opportunities available to expand into global markets. Focused on import and export assistance, international trade and investment, and inbound and outbound mergers and acquisitions initiatives, we specialize in working with U.S. and foreign companies and other entities with global aspirations to formulate global strategies and make connections that will contribute to their long-term growth and success. Among other services, Stevens & Lee/Griffin International offers The International Trade Assistance Partnership Program (iTAPP) in partnership with the PA Chamber of Business and Industry, which provides a cost-effective way for a Pennsylvania company to receive ongoing trade support in important, growing export markets in China, Europe, South America and West Africa. Stevens & Lee/Griffin International is part of Stevens & Lee/Griffin, a multidisciplinary professional services platform which consists of Stevens & Lee, a large, full-service law firm; Griffin Financial Group, a FINRA-licensed investment bank; a state and local government operations consulting business; a group of 25 tax, accounting, consulting and technology professional services firms, primarily operated by former Big Four professionals; a D&O and E&O insurance risk consulting business; a financial advisory business focusing on state and local government and not-for-profit sectors; and a government affairs unit. For more information, visit www.stevensleegriffin.com. Via The White House 1. On January 11, 2018, the Secretary of Commerce (Secretary) transmitted to me a report on his investigation into the effect of imports of steel mill articles (steel articles) on the national security of the United States under section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, as amended (19 U.S.C. 1862).
2. The Secretary found and advised me of his opinion that steel articles are being imported into the United States in such quantities and under such circumstances as to threaten to impair the national security of the United States. The Secretary found that the present quantities of steel articles imports and the circumstances of global excess capacity for producing steel are “weakening our internal economy,” resulting in the persistent threat of further closures of domestic steel production facilities and the “shrinking [of our] ability to meet national security production requirements in a national emergency.” Because of these risks and the risk that the United States may be unable to “meet [steel] demands for national defense and critical industries in a national emergency,” and taking into account the close relation of the economic welfare of the Nation to our national security, see 19 U.S.C. 1862(d), the Secretary concluded that the present quantities and circumstances of steel articles imports threaten to impair the national security as defined in section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, as amended. 3. In reaching this conclusion, the Secretary considered the previous U.S. Government measures and actions on steel articles imports and excess capacity, including actions taken under Presidents Reagan, George H.W. Bush, Clinton, and George W. Bush. The Secretary also considered the Department of Commerce’s narrower investigation of iron ore and semi-finished steel imports in 2001, and found the recommendations in that report to be outdated given the dramatic changes in the steel industry since 2001, including the increased level of global excess capacity, the increased level of imports, the reduction in basic oxygen furnace facilities, the number of idled facilities despite increased demand for steel in critical industries, and the potential impact of further plant closures on capacity needed in a national emergency. 4. In light of this conclusion, the Secretary recommended actions to adjust the imports of steel articles so that such imports will not threaten to impair the national security. Among those recommendations was a global tariff of 24 percent on imports of steel articles in order to reduce imports to a level that the Secretary assessed would enable domestic steel producers to use approximately 80 percent of existing domestic production capacity and thereby achieve long-term economic viability through increased production. The Secretary has also recommended that I authorize him, in response to specific requests from affected domestic parties, to exclude from any adopted import restrictions those steel articles for which the Secretary determines there is a lack of sufficient U.S. production capacity of comparable products, or to exclude steel articles from such restrictions for specific national security-based considerations. 5. I concur in the Secretary’s finding that steel articles are being imported into the United States in such quantities and under such circumstances as to threaten to impair the national security of the United States, and I have considered his recommendations. 6. Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, as amended, authorizes the President to adjust the imports of an article and its derivatives that are being imported into the United States in such quantities or under such circumstances as to threaten to impair the national security. 7. Section 604 of the Trade Act of 1974, as amended (19 U.S.C. 2483), authorizes the President to embody in the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) the substance of acts affecting import treatment, and actions thereunder, including the removal, modification, continuance, or imposition of any rate of duty or other import restriction. 8. In the exercise of these authorities, I have decided to adjust the imports of steel articles by imposing a 25 percent ad valorem tariff on steel articles, as defined below, imported from all countries except Canada and Mexico. In my judgment, this tariff is necessary and appropriate in light of the many factors I have considered, including the Secretary’s report, updated import and production numbers for 2017, the failure of countries to agree on measures to reduce global excess capacity, the continued high level of imports since the beginning of the year, and special circumstances that exist with respect to Canada and Mexico. This relief will help our domestic steel industry to revive idled facilities, open closed mills, preserve necessary skills by hiring new steel workers, and maintain or increase production, which will reduce our Nation’s need to rely on foreign producers for steel and ensure that domestic producers can continue to supply all the steel necessary for critical industries and national defense. Under current circumstances, this tariff is necessary and appropriate to address the threat that imports of steel articles pose to the national security. 9. In adopting this tariff, I recognize that our Nation has important security relationships with some countries whose exports of steel articles to the United States weaken our internal economy and thereby threaten to impair the national security. I also recognize our shared concern about global excess capacity, a circumstance that is contributing to the threatened impairment of the national security. Any country with which we have a security relationship is welcome to discuss with the United States alternative ways to address the threatened impairment of the national security caused by imports from that country. Should the United States and any such country arrive at a satisfactory alternative means to address the threat to the national security such that I determine that imports from that country no longer threaten to impair the national security, I may remove or modify the restriction on steel articles imports from that country and, if necessary, make any corresponding adjustments to the tariff as it applies to other countries as our national security interests require. 10. I conclude that Canada and Mexico present a special case. Given our shared commitment to supporting each other in addressing national security concerns, our shared commitment to addressing global excess capacity for producing steel, the physical proximity of our respective industrial bases, the robust economic integration between our countries, the export of steel articles produced in the United States to Canada and Mexico, and the close relation of the economic welfare of the United States to our national security, see 19 U.S.C. 1862(d), I have determined that the necessary and appropriate means to address the threat to the national security posed by imports of steel articles from Canada and Mexico is to continue ongoing discussions with these countries and to exempt steel articles imports from these countries from the tariff, at least at this time. I expect that Canada and Mexico will take action to prevent transshipment of steel articles through Canada and Mexico to the United States. Read More Via The World Trade Centers Association The World Trade Centers Association is making new member recruitment campaign assets available, designed by Cara Debkowski of the World Trade Center of Greater Philadelphia to all Centers of the Association.
World Trade Center of Greater Philadelphia’s “Stamp of Approval for Global Trade” campaign to recruit members was launched in November and impressed staff at the World Trade Center Arkansas, who wanted to utilize a similar idea for their membership strategy. “Our first thought was to design something of our own, but the headline and Cara’s design were already brilliant,” said Sam Cushman, the strategic communications officer for the World Trade Center Arkansas. “So I reached out to Graziella DiNuzzo in Philadelphia and asked to what extent her team would be willing to let us to use the campaign. She had the wonderful idea of bringing this before the Association to make the campaign assets available to all World Trade Centers.” The assets will be available through the Resource Center on the World Trade Centers Association website. In addition to the campaign assets released by the Center in Philadelphia, the World Trade Center Arkansas will release a template for an exporter directory they are currently developing. The directory functions as a catalogue of exporting Arkansas companies that will help them arrange business-to-business meetings with foreign buyers. “One of the most important jobs we have at HQ is to make sure that great ideas from around the network get shared among our Members,” said Scott Ferguson, CEO of World Trade Centers Association. “The collaboration between these two World Trade Centers on this campaign is another example of the benefits of Membership—connections that help Members grow their businesses.” Original Article Via The New York Times ![]() WASHINGTON — President Trump said on Thursday that he would impose stiff tariffs on imports of steel and aluminum, making good on a key campaign promise and rattling stock markets as the prospect of a global trade fight appeared imminent.
(You can read more about Friday’s developments here.) In a hastily arranged meeting with industry executives that stunned many inside the West Wing, Mr. Trump said he would formally sign the trade measures next week and promised they would be in effect “for a long period of time.” The action, which came against the wishes of Mr. Trump’s pro-trade advisers, would impose tariffs of 25 percent on steel and 10 percent on aluminum, effectively placing a tax on every foreign shipment of those metals into the United States. The president told more than a dozen executives that he wanted the tariffs to apply to all countries, one executive in attendance said. Mr. Trump argued that if one country was exempt, all other countries would line up to ask for similar treatment, and that metals could end up being shipped to the United States through exempted countries. Mr. Trump’s authority to impose such sweeping tariffs stems from a Commerce Department investigation that concluded last month that imported metal threatened national security by degrading the American industrial base. The administration has said it wants to combat cheap metals flooding into the United States, particularly from China, but a broad set of tariffs would fall most heavily on allies, especially Canada, which supplies steel and aluminum to American companies as well as the military. “People have no idea how badly our country has been treated by other countries,” Mr. Trump said on Thursday. “They’ve destroyed the steel industry, they’ve destroyed the aluminum industry, and other industries, frankly.” “We’re bringing it all back,” he added. Friday morning, Mr. Trump tweeted that a trade war would be a positive development in the context of the United States’ current position with its trading partners. Full Article. Via Holtec International Camden, N.J. - February 28, 2018: We are pleased to announce that Holtec International and NAEK Energoatom, Ukraine’s national nuclear operator, have signed a Memorandum-of-Understanding that envisages Ukraine to adopt the SMR-160 technology to meet its projected needs for clean power in the latter half of the next decade. Nuclear power plays a key role in ensuring energy security of Ukraine. Today, Ukrainian Nuclear Power Plants generate more than half of the electricity consumed in the country and have garnered a record of high operational reliability (low frequency of scrams) rivaling the top performing nuclear fleets in the world. In this century, Energoatom has emerged as a unique success story among the global power generation companies as the provider of environmentally clean energy at the lowest price of any other energy source in the country. Thanks to Energoatom’s able corporate leadership and a dedicated cadre’ of nuclear workers, its 17-year track record as a solid performer has made nuclear energy a respected energy source in the eyes of the people of Ukraine. Now, by moving energetically to become the first mover in Holtec’s small modular reactor program, Ukraine expects to become a world leader in the emerging small modular reactor industry. Under the agreement with Holtec, Ukraine will become a manufacturing hub for SMR-160 components and systems mirroring the capabilities of Holtec’s Camden plant. (Holtec’s business plan calls for having four geographically distributed manufacturing plants around the globe, similar to our Advanced Manufacturing plant in Camden operational by mid-2020s). Holtec is also in talks with leading Ukrainian suppliers of specialty machinery such as turbo-generators to integrate their products in SMR-160.
Speaking at the bi-annual meeting of the Holtec Advisory Council, Energoatom’s President declared his company’s intention to replace, as a pilot project, 2 VVER-440 power units of the Rivne Nuclear Power Plant with SMR-160 modular reactors. President Nedashkovsky cited SMR-160’s “walk away” safe design and his company’s trust and confidence in Holtec based on a long-term successful business relationship behind Energoatom’s decision to select Holtec’s reactor system. As an environmentally conscious nation, Ukraine plans to generate clean energy from SMR-160s to replenish the looming deficit in the country’s power supply caused by the retirement of its old coal burning plants in the coming years. In addition to serving as a resilient distributed generation source, SMR-160s will likely also be deployed in co-generation roles providing steam as well as power at the country’s industrial sites. Mr. Nedashkovsky is an active member of the Holtec Advisory Council, which meets twice a year to assess and critique the developments in the SMR-160 reactor program. Holtec’s President & CEO, Dr. Kris Singh, serves on President Poroshenko’s National Investment Council which speaks to the strong relationship between Ukraine and Holtec. By Graziella DiNuzzo, WTCGP Director of Communications and Development A lot can happen when you put metal on the edge of cardboard. “Imagine all important documents that sat in stacks in church basements and institutions and were ruined because they weren’t stored properly,” says Paul Markert, Vice President, Sales and Marketing at Metal Edge International, Inc. In 1896, a German technician placed metal edges along the four corners of a cardboard box and invented a box assembly method used worldwide from the National Archives to museums and institutions around the globe. The metal edges re-enforce each box corner, which adds strength and long-lasting protection for the important documents within. And have you ever noticed the metal blade on a box of aluminum foil or plastic wrap used to dispense the roll material? Metal Edge International supplies that metal too. “We are the market leader in offering a number of dispensing blade choices for the global Aluminum foil and Cling Film market. Our primary focus is commercial / catering size rolls where performance, quality, safety and utility are required, says Markert. “ Metal Edge International, Inc. manufactures boxes, dispensing blades, corner metal (Fastay is their brand) and assembly equipment, enabling customers to manufacture their own packaging in-house. They also affix blades onto unassembled cartons. Metal Edge dispensing blades are available in a variety of choices for multiple applications and uses. A family owned and operated company, Metal Edge International was founded in 1978, In North Wales, Pennsylvania, Today, the company’s global reach extends to clients in 6 continents and 33 countries and employs 14 total staff. “We are an industry leader serving local, national and multi-national companies,” says Markert as he points to a map on the wall of his office. Our strength is in our people, product innovation, understanding our market niche and providing dispensing solutions to each individual client. Ninety-nine percent of our products are produced in our facility in North Wales, PA,” says Markert. The company also has a warehouse in Chicago, Illinois and a facility in Shanghai, China. During a tour of the North Wales factory warehouse, Markert explains Metal Edge’s winning customer service. “By working directly with designers, product and brand managers, our team can offer innovative, customized packaging solutions.” As a member of the WTCGP CEOs China Operations Club, Paul Markert relies on the WTCGP for up-to-the-minute information on global markets. “I like to stay in the know and being a member of the WTCGP China Club helps me keep up with what’s happening,” he adds. “Yes, the WTCGP has helped grow our global business.” The WTCGP also appreciates Paul Markert’s advice as a contributor of the WTCGP Advisory Council. His vast manufacturing and global sales experience gives the WTCGP valuable input on how to better serve our members and clients.
Thank you Metal Edge International, Inc. for your support of the WTCGP. For more information on Metal Edge visit http://www.metaledge.com. Via Stockton University ![]() For immediate release: February 23, 2018 Galloway, N.J. - New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy will be the keynote speaker at Stockton University’s Spring 2018 Commencement Ceremony at 12 p.m. on May 11 at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City. “We are honored that Governor Murphy has accepted our invitation to speak,” Stockton President Harvey Kesselman said. “As we prepare to open our Atlantic City campus in fall 2018, we are thrilled that the Governor will be here to share our enthusiasm for the city and its future.” Murphy was elected the 56th governor of New Jersey in November 2017. Governor Murphy’s experiences mirror those faced by many young people graduating college today. His father never graduated from high school and his mother worked as a secretary. They inspired Governor Murphy and his three siblings to pursue their educations and be active participants in civic life. He served as New Jersey’s representative on the board of the NAACP, and Finance Chair of the Democratic National Committee. He has led national task forces on education. Murphy is a graduate of Harvard University and the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. After retiring from Goldman Sachs, he served as U.S. Ambassador to Germany from 2009 to 2013. This will be the second year that Stockton holds its Commencement ceremony at Boardwalk Hall. This year’s class includes almost 2,000 graduates and more than 10,000 people are expected to attend. Contact: Diane D’Amico Director of News and Media Relations Galloway, N.J. 08205 609-652-4593 stockton.edu/media World Trade Center Delaware offers workshop for local business interested in selling to NATO2/23/2018
Via World Trade Center Delaware Every year, NATO spends $2-to-$4 billion on everything from weapons systems to toilet paper to support its operations around the world – and every supply purchase and consulting contract is sourced exclusively from NATO member companies. This provides a significant advantage to properly registered and eligible American businesses.
World Trade Center Delaware and the U.S. Foreign Commercial Service Brussels will host “How to Sell to NATO: Opportunities and Best Practices,” a workshop on Feb. 28 that will offer advice and direction to Delaware companies interested in pursuing NATO contracts. Ira Bel, the senior commercial specialist for the USFCS in Brussels, will lead the workshop. NATO regularly requests proposals for a variety of supplies and services that span multiple Delaware-based industries, including healthcare equipment, consultant and training services, construction and road-building equipment, engineering skills, information technology, environmental services, agriculture and more. The workshop will feature information on products and services NATO needs now (and what it will likely need in the near future), advice on how to navigate the NATO Support Procurement Agency, and tips on successful bidding. Delaware businesses will also learn more about innovation challenges and other programs that NATO’s procurement agencies offer specifically for small and medium-sized companies. “How to Sell to NATO: Opportunities and Best Practices” will take place from 8-11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 28 at Delaware Technology Park, 1 Innovation Way, Newark. The cost is $50 for members of World Trade Center Delaware and $100 for non-members. The World Trade Center Delaware is a private-sector, nonprofit organization helping Delaware companies to succeed in the international marketplace. With a primary focus on export promotion, the WTC Delaware develops programs to assist businesses and organizations including educational and networking events, market research, and consulting. WTC Delaware is the Associate Office for the U.S. Department of Commerce in Delaware, EXIM Bank's Delaware representative (REPP), and a U.S. Trade and Development Agency Making Global Local Partner. EVENT DETAILS Event: How to Sell to NATO: Opportunities and Best Practices Time: 8-11:30 a.m. Date: Wednesday, Feb. 28 Location: Delaware Technology Park, 1 Innovation Way, Newark Cost: $50/members of World Trade Center Delaware; $100/non-members Register at: http://www.wtcde.com Media Contact: Matt Sullivan, WTCDE communications (302) 354-3306, [email protected] Via Spark Therapeutics PHILADELPHIA, Feb. 23, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Spark Therapeutics (NASDAQ:ONCE), a fully integrated gene therapy company dedicated to challenging the inevitability of genetic disease, today announced that Arlene V. Drack, M.D., associate professor in ophthalmic genetics at the University of Iowa, will present a new age-stratified analysis of Phase 3 voretigene neparvovec data at the American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus(AAPOS) Annual Meeting on “Year 3 Results and Age-Stratified Analyses for a Phase 3 Trial of Voretigene Neparvovec in RPE65 Mutation-associated Inherited Retinal Disease,” on Thursday, March 22, at 8:45 a.m. ET, at the Washington Hilton Hotel in Washington, D.C.
Additionally, company management will present at the following business or scientific conferences:
At Spark Therapeutics, a fully integrated company committed to discovering, developing and delivering gene therapies, we challenge the inevitability of genetic diseases, including blindness, hemophilia and neurodegenerative diseases. We have successfully applied our technology in the first FDA-approved gene therapy in the U.S. for a genetic disease, and currently have three programs in clinical trials, including product candidates that have shown promising early results in patients with hemophilia. At Spark, we see the path to a world where no life is limited by genetic disease. For more information, visit www.sparktx.com, and follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn. Investor Contact:Media Contact: Ryan AsayMonique da Silva [email protected]@sparktx.com (215) 239-6424(215) 282-7470 Original Article |
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