Xpres LLC is a manufacturing and decorating enterprise based in North Carolina. In business for more than 25 years, Xpres imports blank ceramic mugs from Thailand that are customized at its Winston-Salem headquarters. Without GSP, these ceramic mugs face import taxes of 10 percent, putting Xpres at a disadvantage to lower-cost mugs customized and imported directly from China.
GSP expiration in 2013 forced Xpres to put off key investments in new equipment that would allow it to expand capacity. Instead of hiring full-time employees, it relied upon temporary workers until GSP was renewed and it could depend on stable product costs. Xpres paid nearly $700,000 in extra taxes while GSP was expired, a huge cost for any small business.
With GSP back in place, Xpres has hired 17 new workers and now employs 42 people in North Carolina. It has made new capital investments, increased benefits for workers, and is eying more investments to further increase output.
Our Xpres profile page has more details about the importance of continued GSP benefits to the company (also available as a one-page PDF here or below).
Xpres is just one of the GSP importers sharing how GSP allows its businesses and workers to thrive on our Company Profiles page.
