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The Eastern Region is becoming an international attraction.

A significant number of international firms have major operations here in North Carolina's Eastern Region. Among them are Bosch and Siemens Home Appliances, Kaba Ilco Corp., Bridgestone/Firestone, pharmaceutical giant Merck and Electrolux Home Products. They're here and more join them every year for many of the same reasons U.S. - based companies choose the Eastern Region: great transportation, skilled and diversified workforce, solid educational infrastructure, proximity to the Research Triangle Park, low costs and a decidedly pro-business climate. And of course, they come for the lifestyle advantages too.

There are other factors as well. For instance, an airport that can accommodate the world's largest cargo jets; its runway, at 11,500 feet or a little over two miles, is not only the longest commercial runway in North Carolina, it's the longest between Washington and Atlanta. There are also a variety of tax incentives and specialized training programs that benefit international firms. In addition, there are two Foreign Free Trade Zones within the Eastern Region to further help in growing businesses here.

International firms benefit from the great number of former military people in the Region—many in the workforce have experience overseas and/or a second language, which can lead to better communication and greater productivity.

It all adds up to a combination that's proven both attractive and profitable for a growing number of international firms.

Country Product County
Belgium Poppies International Cookies and Pastries Nash
Brazil Ioto USA Reconstituted Tobacco Pitt
Canada PCS Phosphate Bulk Cargo Terminal Carteret
  RBC Centura Financial Services Nash
  Kaba Ilco Corporation Key Machines Nash
  Cott Beverage USA, Inc. Soft drinks Wilson
  Nexan's Berk-Tek Electric Cables Wilson
  Dopaco Food/Beverage Packaging Lenoir
China Sunspring, NA, LLC Faucet Fixtures Lenoir
France Saint Gobain Containers Glass Containers Wilson
Germany BSH Home Appliances Corp. White goods Craven
  Thermik Corporation Electric Switches Craven
  Drahtzug Stein Drawn Wire Craven
  Down East Rent-A-John Mobile Sanitation Onslow
  Weener Plastics Plastic Balls Wilson
  Voith Fabrics, Inc. Papermaker Wet Felt Wilson
  Carolina Technical Plastics Corp. Plastic Injection Molding Craven
  ZF Marine Group Marine Transmissions Carteret
  Atlantic Veneer Hardwood Veneer Carteret
  Veneer Technologies Hard-wood Veneer Carteret
India FarmTrac Tractor Components Edgecombe
Ireland Horseware of Ireland Horse Blankets Lenoir
  McMullen, Inc. Blast Resistant Windows Wilson
Italy Open Grounds Farm Agricultural Products Carteret
  Befco, Inc. Lawn Equipment Nash
  Advanced Color Solutions Custom Paint Spraying Nash
Japan Keihin Carolina Systems Technology, Inc. Automotive Parts Edgecombe
  ASMO Greenville of NC, Inc. DC Motors and Systems Pitt
  Fuji Silysia Chemical USA, Ltd. Micronized Silica Gel Products Pitt
  Uchiyama America, Inc. Automotive Gaskets Wayne
  Bridgestone/Firestone, Inc. Tires Wilson
  NWB USA Auto Wiper Blades Pitt
  LiveDo Incontinence Products Wilson
  True World Marine Fishing Boats Carteret
Korea TYM-USA, Inc. Wholesale Tractor Distribution Wilson
Mexico Gruma Corporation (dba Mission Foods) Tortillas Wayne
Netherlands Draka Elevator Products Elevator Cable Nash
  Draka Holding Elevator Parts Nash
  DSM Pharmaceuticals Pharmaceuticals Pitt
  DSM Dyneema Dyneema UD Fiber Pitt
  Lely Corporation Agricultural Machinery Wilson
Sweden Electrolux Dishwashers Lenoir
Switzerland ABB, Inc. Instrument Transformers Edgecombe
  Sandoz Pharmaceuticals Wilson
United Kingdom United Cold Storage Refrigerated/Freezer Storage Duplin
  Simclar, North America, Inc. Contract Metal Components Pitt