Senator Baucus Announces $1.5 Million Sale from Billings,Montana Manufacturer Mark Rite Lines Equipment Company to South Korean Company

Montana’s senior U.S. Senator Max Baucus announced a $1.5 million sale for Billings’ Mark Rite Lines Equipment Company (MRL) http://www.markritelines.com/ to a South Korean company today during his 2012 Ambassadors Tour. http://www.baucus.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=1024

In 2011, Baucus led Senate passage of a Free Trade Agreement with South Korea http://www.baucus.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=709 that lowered tariffs across the board, making it cheaper and easier for companies like MRL to do business with South Korea.

"MRL is the perfect example of the top-quality manufacturing facilities Montana has to offer all across the state, and today’s sale will help them to continue growing and supporting Montana jobs," Baucus said. "MRL is the best in the U.S. at what they do, and today we’re going to let the whole world know, and attract even more business to support Montana jobs."

MRL is designing and manufacturing 12 sets of custom equipment for Dae Dong Safety Company Ltd. in South Korea.

"The U.S.-South Korea FTA is not only about imports and exports; it’s about strategic partnerships. MRL and Dae Dong is an exemplary case of businesses in both countries benefiting each other and seizing global opportunities together through strategic partnerships," said South Korean Ambassador to the United States Young-jin Choi. "With this new opportunity newly created by the U.S.-South Korea FTA, the businesses and people in Montana and Korea will grow stronger together. I will do my best to let this happen."

Mark Rite Lines

* MRL exports 18-20% of its annual sales to countries including South Korea, Australia, Brazil and Colombia – four of the five countries represented on this week’s tour.

* MRL is the largest manufacturer of truck mounted road marking machines in the United States.

* MRL employs 90 Montanans in the 90,000 square-foot Billings facility, and recently added a contracting division out of Missoula which employs an additional 30 people.

* Baucus toured MRL Equipment in 2007 with Treasury Secretary Paulson.

2012 Ambassadors Tour

As head of the Senate committee with sole jurisdiction over international trade, Baucus is leading five ambassadors from around the world on a tour of Montana this week to help businesses create jobs through trade. More information on the tour is available HERE. http://www.baucus.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=1024