EXPORT SUCCESSES AND CLIENT NEWSMAKERS
The Commercial Service helps thousands of businesses expand their exports. Here are just a few examples of what some Midwest firms and organizations have accomplished with our assistance. The U.S. Department of Commerce’s Export Achievement Certificate recognizes companies that are business clients of the U.S. Commercial Service, and that have used our services to make their first export sale or open new foreign markets.
(If you are interested in joining the ranks of these successful exporters, just click on the Tell Us About Yourself link on the left side of this page, and an International Trade Specialist will contact you regarding your first steps to global business.)
2012 WINNERS:
Photo 1: Avlon Industries, Inc.
Avlon was awarded the US Department of Commerce’s Export Achievement Certificate by Illinois Senator Dick Durbin on February 3, 2012. Founded in 1984, Avlon is a small, minority-owned developer, manufacturer, and marketer of innovative and high-quality personal care products. Based in Melrose Park, Illinois, Avlon is considered a leading industry expert in formulation of relaxers, and hair straighteners. Their brands include Affirm and Fiber Guard, Conditioning Relaxer Systems, Ferm condition Curl & Body Perm System, Moistur Color, Permanent and Semi- Permanent Color Systems, and KeraCare, Hair Maintenance System. USDOC Commercial Service support includes introducing Avlon to its overseas partners. USDOC offices in Chicago, Dakar and Panama City supported these export successes. Avlon has added jobs due to export growth, including in Senegal and Panama.
2011 WINNERS:
Photo 2: Midwest Industrial Sales
On September 29, 2011, Midwest Industrial Sales of Channahon, Illinois was presented with an Export Achievement Certificate by Congressman Adam Kinzinger. Midwest Industrial sells rebuilt, reconditioned, and new parts and components for construction, mining & earthmoving equipment, specializing in Euclid, Terex, Volvo, & Caterpillar. Ten years ago, the firm exported only to a handful of countries; this year they will export to over 50 countries, including new markets such as Senegal & the Ukraine. 40% of the firm’s total sales are direct export sales, with an additional 10% being indirect export sales. The firm’s very impressive website, which includes foreign language content and is set up for search engine optimization, is one key to its success. In addition, Midwest Industrial takes full advantage of government resources available, including the services of the U.S. Department of Commerce and the U.S. Ex-Im Bank. Tyson Ely of Midwest Industrial Sales says: “… The Department of Commerce is a great asset in helping us find new leads and providing reports that aid us in deciding which countries we should target to generate more sales.” Mr. Joe Vinachi, the President of Midwest Industrial Sales estimates that the firm’s success in export sales has saved at least 3 jobs and added two within the past three years.
Photo 3: LA-CO Industries, Inc., http://www.laco.com
LA-CO Industries, Inc., based in Elk Grove Village, Illinois, is a leading manufacturer of industrial and agricultural marking products and plumbing chemicals. The MARKAL®, ALL-WEATHER®, and LA-CO® branded products are sold through in over 60 countries. LA-CO Industries became a client of the U.S. Commercial Service – Chicago (CS Chicago) in 2007, when it began using CS services to develop its international business strategy. This effort coincided with LA-CO’s decision to reorganize its international business area and devote more resources to their efforts. An in-depth market research project started through the Commercial Service to determine where the company should focus its efforts, what types of products it should carry and/or modify for each specific market, and optimal international distribution models. Once LA-CO chose to focus on marketing one its fastest growing products, Chicago Trade Specialist Jeff Graber then provided detailed market research and trade data on the target countries. LA-CO’s new Director of International Sales elected to proceed with contact lists of potential end-users. Through that research LA-CO enjoyed significant new sales revenue. Mr. Mike McDaniel, current Director of International Sales at LA-CO Industries, noted that, “The Commercial Service was extremely fast in getting us our information and was genuinely interested in our success. They took a deep interest in our vision to expand our distribution, and became immersed in learning our products. “The U.S. Commercial Service was solely dedicated to our vision and goals.” Due to the positive results using this service to expand distribution, Mr. McDaniel plans to use CS services to access other overseas markets.
Photo 4: Plymouth Tube Company, Warrenville, IL - On June 1, 2011, was awarded the US Department of Commerce’s Export Achievement Certificate at the Valley Industrial Association Annual Banquet for their achievements in the export of their manufactured steel tubes and extrusions. In partnering with the US Commercial Service and the US Dept. of Commerce Plymouth can now boast successful exporting to new markets in such countries as: Thailand, the Philippines, Mexico and Italy. The recognition was given at the Annual Banquet of the Valley Industrial Association to Plymouth Tube by Ro Khanna, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Domestic Operations of the U.S. Commercial Service. “Plymouth Tube Company has utilized the US Commercial Service to expand from exporting to a few International locations, to an ever expanding number of countries.” says Steve Bohnenkamp, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Plymouth Tube. “It is an honor to receive this recognition from our government and it’s even more special to have it presented in front of our peers at the Annual VIA banquet. Plymouth Tube values our partnership with US Commercial Service and the Department of Commerce and we will continue to utilize their expertise on other important projects outside the United States that will help us increase our exports.” “Congratulations to Plymouth Tube on receiving this prestigious award,” said Cindy Tomei, President of the Valley Industrial Association. “Plymouth Tube’s exporting achievements demonstrate that market expansion does exist even in challenging economic conditions.” Press Release.
Micro Products on March 16, 2011 Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Trade Promotion and Director General of the U.S. & Foreign Commercial Service (U.S. Commercial Service) Suresh Kumar today presented the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Export Achievement Certificate to Micro Products Company of Bensenville, Ill. The award recognizes businesses that have benefited from Commercial Service export assistance to make its first export sale or expand to new foreign markets. “Micro Products is a prime example of how innovative Illinois businesses are tapping global markets to increase their sales which support jobs and economic growth here at home,” Kumar said. “Ninety-five percent of the world’s consumers are beyond U.S. borders, and we must continue to give U.S. businesses a competitive edge by making the necessary investments that will lead America into the future. I commend Micro Products on its outstanding export accomplishments.” The 80-year-old firm manufactures electric resistance butt and flash welders for the continuous processing of wire and cable, allowing its customers to make quality welds. With assistance from the U.S. Commercial Service staff in Chicago and abroad, Micro Products has made sales to China, India, France, Turkey, and Philippines, enabling the firm to buffer the ups-and-downs of the global economy much better than if they had been selling only domestically. “Through the Commercial Service’s Gold Key matchmaking program, we’ve been able to identify candidates and secure agreements for representation in multiple international markets in far less time than had we tried on our own,” said William Banks, Micro Products President and Chief Executive Officer. “Our improved business outlook for 2011 supported in large part by our recent export successes has enabled us to increase our USA-Illinois employee base this year from 27 to 33, an increase of 22 percent.”
