Empire Electronics received authorization from US Customs Border Patrol to operate
a foreign trade zone in December 2005. The Empire Electronics foreign trade zone is the
only active foreign trade zone in Oakland County and one of only seven active in the
state of Michigan.
Foreign trade zone status permits Empire´s Troy, MI facility to operate as a bonded
warehouse and, in essence, function as an agent of U.S. Customs. This allows shipments
from the company´s manufacturing facility in Honduras to ship directly to Troy, saving a
stop at Customs in Detroit and several hours in transit time. Goods that are shipped on
to Mexico from the U.S. can do so from the trade zone without a duty that otherwise
would be levied.
The company initiated its efforts to gain foreign trade zone status in January 2005
and received approval for operation in December 2005. Empire´s robust procedures, developed
to ensure that it adheres fully to ISO 9001 and ISO/TS 16949:2002 requirements, helped it
to efficiently pass the stringent procedural, facility and personnel audits required
by the U.S. Customs Service.
Because it operates as a general-purpose zone, Empire Electronics´ zone is available
to house products for other companies in the Oakland County area, an offer in which Doman
said many companies have expressed an interest.
The Empire Electronics foreign trade zone comprises the company´s 40,000-sq.-ft. warehouse
facility at 214 East Maple Road in Troy, MI. The scope of the zone's activities is limited to
serving as a distribution facility.