The 2014 Governor’s Export Achievement Awards will be presented and publicly announced at the 50th Annual Wisconsin International Trade Conference, in Milwaukee on Tuesday, May 13.
The Export Achievement Awards are intended to highlight firms that have achieved significant growth or implemented innovative strategies and can serve as examples to other state firms.
This year, there will be two award winners, and each will receive two complimentary registrations for the Trade Conference as well as statewide recognition that includes a video highlight ITS accomplishments.
This year’s finalists are:
Flad Architects, Madison
William Bula, CEO
Exporting highlights:
- Developed a high-level floor plan/building layout for a a 1.7-million-square-foot national laboratory complex for the King Abdullah City for Atomic and Renewable Energy in Saudi Arabia
- Performed master planning and full architectural services for a 430,000-square-foot research and development complex for the Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development in Qatar
- As a result of those projects, Flad has been invited to compete for three major projects in the Middle East
- Flad’s efforts in the Middle East have resulted in at least five other Wisconsin firms being engaged in that region
Gamber – Johnson LLC, Stevens Point
Brian Wagner, president
Exporting highlights:
- Designing product for use in different countries, i.e. for right-side drivers
- In 2010, company did no exporting; by 2013, exports represented 4.3% of its total sales
- Created service centers worldwide to provide customers with skilled technicians in their countries
- To remain competitive in the global marketplace, created website launch pages in three different languages
- Red Arrow International LLC, Manitowoc
- Dale Hanke, president & CEO
- Exporting highlights:
- Volume of a typical exporting day now exceeds an entire month’s business in early 1990’s
- Provides weeklong training program for distributors in Manitowoc
- Purchased a Swedish equipment manufacturer in 2007
- Established a culinary center in 2006
Winsert, Inc., Marinette
Trisha Dickinson Lemery, president & CEO
Exporting highlights:
- Rebounded from deteriorating sales volumes in 2008-2009 through strong international sales
- More than half of total sales come from
- export shipments
- A tool and die/metal company succeeding by specializing and adding high-tech element
Wisconsin Spice Inc., Berlin
Phillip Sass, president & CEO
Exporting highlights:
- Exports to more than 25 countries
- From 2010 to 2013, export sales rose by 23%
- Of 65 employees, 16 are dedicated to exports
- Competes with Grey Poupon and French’s and supplies McDonald’s and H.J. Heinz around the world
