Snyder begins trip to Italy to strengthen relations with businesses

Governor Rick Snyder has kicked off his week-long investment mission to Europe by visiting Milan, Italy.

The governor and his delegation began by touring the plant of Brugola OEB Industriale S.p.A.  Brugola makes socket screws and special fasteners for heavy-duty applications. It has a warehousing and distribution facility in downstate Canton and it’s considering a new site for a manufacturing and assembly facility in southeastern Michigan.

Snyder then visited Brembo Machining, a large manufacturer of automotive brake systems, especially for high-performance cars and motorcycles. The company recently expanded operations at its plant in downstate Homer, where it has 300 employees.

The delegation will also meet with government officials and business executives in Lissone, Bergamo and Turin before moving on to Germany. Total foreign trade last year between Michigan and Italy stood at $1.65 billion while import and exports with Germany were worth $5.9 billion.