Is it possible for a company not to have employees and still be successful in the frantic world of international trade?

J. Andrew Johnson, managing director of Tradex, an international marketing and consulting firm, told members of the World Trade Association of Utah that the firm's unusual method of doing business is working and the future looks bright.When a company has an idea for a project to export products to foreign countries or other ideas, Johnson assembles a team of experts to make certain the project becomes a success. The person with the project can pull out at any time, he said.

With offices in several foreign countries, Tradex has associates in many areas of the world who cover their own expenses, leaving the three owners of Tradex with the authority to reject any project.

Some of the Tradex projects including selling power generation units used in Operation Desert Storm and continuing to supply parts to those same units. Another was selling building materials to Thailand and Korea, another involved selling entire factories and another is helping Taiwan residents invest in real estate in the United States.

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Johnson, who said he is using his experience gained while director of the international office in the Utah Division of Business and Economic Development, said he is still learning how to cultivate relationships with Asians, an important part of the Tradex business since 75 percent of the company's clients are in Asia.

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