An Eye-Opening Trip to Japan and China

By Larry Laux
President and Founder

I have just returned from a trip to Tokyo, Beijing and Shanghai. Perhaps you have been fortunate enough to have visited those cities. If not, or if it has been more than 2 years, I can tell you that they are all undergoing building booms. In the Chinese cities, it is a BOOM!

It is almost unbelievable how quickly new buildings are going up. One ‘small’ 40 story building was 1/3 done, and I was told each remaining floor would be completed in 1-2 days per floor.

I saw the ‘Bird’s Nest’ in Beijing, where the opening and closing ceremonies will be held for next summer’s Olympic Games. The Beijing subway has 3 lines now, but by next summer is expected to have six more completed or underway. They completed a 6 lane 100 km ring highway around the city in 2003, and have already completed another 4 lane one, 5-10 km further out.

And Shanghai gives credit to the world’s expo of 2010, but only a fraction of the new construction is directly related to that event.

All of this will impact your company. There is opportunity in these markets. Get there in person if you can and be amazed. Even if you can’t get there, get your products and services there, soon.