By Kirk Johannesen, The Republic
johannesen@therepublic.com
HANGZHOU, China - Cummins Inc. has played an important role the first three days of Gov. Mitch Daniels' economic mission to China, and a Columbus economic official said the trip is benefiting the city.
"China is going great. Some really powerful meetings. Columbus has gotten some good traction and a lot of governor time for our companies," Corey Carr, president of Columbus Economic Development Board, said in a text message.
Daniels on Wednesday traveled to Hangzhou in Zhejiang Province, Indiana's sister-state. While there, the governor helped unveil a new Cummins-powered hybrid bus line purchased by Hangzhou Public Transit Authority.
Steve Chapman, Cummins' group vice president for China and Russia, who lives in Beijing, participated in the event.
The hybrid bus uses 20 to 30 percent less fuel than conventional buses and reduces greenhouse gas emissions significantly, according to a press release.
With the purchase of the new line the transit authority aims to use cleaner and more fuel efficient technology for public transportation.
Hangzhou Public Transit Authority owns more than 1,300 Cummins-powered, traditional-fuel buses, but is transitioning to the hybrid buses this year.
Indiana companies have been associated with breakthroughs in clean energy and environmental progress, such as the new Cummins-powered bus line, Daniels said.
"Throughout this proud history, no company has better represented Indiana and better represented its characteristics, of which we are so proud, (than) Cummins," Daniels said.
The governor commended Cummins' leadership, and the respect and good will it had earned from Chinese companies.
On Tuesday, Daniels met with two companies exploring investment opportunities in southern Indiana: Shanghai Top Motor Co., also known as Techtop, and China Dongfeng Motor Industry Import & Export Co.
Techtop, an electric motor manufacturing company, and Columbus-based LHP Technologies formed a joint venture in 2008 to bring a new manufacturing and distribution center to Columbus.
Ryan Hou, president of LHP Technologies, traveled with Carr to China for some of the mission events and for separate meetings.
Daniels also talked with Dongfeng about its joint venture with Cummins supplier Yinlun and its operation in Columbus, LHP YinChang.
The governor kicked off his economic mission Monday in Shanghai.
He was the featured speaker at a conference, hosted by Cummins, for some of its top Chinese suppliers and the Indiana delegation. Chapman introduced Daniels.
Daniels discussed Indiana's business climate and invited Chinese officials to visit the state when they consider establishing operations in the U.S.
"We want to let the Chinese companies know that there is a part of America where their business is welcome, where we will make every effort to make certain they can go into business quickly and successfully and with the enthusiastic support of the public sector as we represent it," Daniels said.