The US Consul visits Izarbel

On 4 October, the Basque Country Technology Park team welcomed US Consul to Bordeaux, Mr. Daniel Hall and his Commercial Attaché, Mrs. Sophie Emery-Roy, to the Izarbel Technology Park in Bidart. The visit included a tour of the premises of Voltaire group, a company well established in the American market, followed by discussions on future cooperation between the Consulate and the Basque Country Technology Park.

The mission of the US Consul to Bordeaux is to develop economic relations between companies in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region and the United States. The Consul’s teams also facilitate exchanges to assist companies in the region seeking to invest or establish themselves in the US market.

On 4 October, the Consul and his Commercial Attaché came to meet with stakeholders at the Basque Country Technology Park and learn about Voltaire group’s activities. Voltaire exports over 70% of its products to the United States, including Blue Wing, its connected saddle that has been very successful among American customers.

After valuable discussions with the group’s financial and marketing departments, Consul Daniel Hall toured the workshops to gain a better understanding of the saddler’s manufacturing process, which combines traditional techniques with modern technology. The diplomats were particularly interested in the new Lectra laser machine that has been in use in the cutting workshop for only a few months.

In the afternoon, the visit continued with the theme of possible collaboration between the Basque Country Technology Park and the American Consulate. The chosen initiatives included organizing an event in 2019 to present the “Select USA” programme. The purpose of this programme initiated by Barack Obama is to facilitate the expansion of foreign companies in the United States. This event, set to feature contributions from experts in BtoB gatherings, will allow attendees to discover the support tools the Consulate can offer and address preconceived ideas that hinder companies in Nouvelle Aquitaine from taking on the American frontier.

More information will soon be available on this free event open to all companies.