2002 Export Awards
2002 STATE'S TOP EXPORTERS
Smith Equipment, USA - TowHaul has been named Montana's 2002 Exporter of the Year. Smith Equipment, USA - TowHaul is a manufacturing company located in Belgrade which designs and manufactures patented, heavy duty, off road lowboy trailers that haul mining shovels, drills and dozers in open pit mines around the world. The name of Smith has been a leader in off-road lowboys since 1977. Lowboys and Towhooks by Smith are in service throughout the world, including Germany, West Africa, Canada, Australia, Chile, Venezuela, Indonesia and Papua New Guinea. Over the next few years, Smith Equipment anticipates exporting to Russia, India, Turkey, Brazil, Morocco, Senegal, Argentina, Estonia and Mexico. Currently, Smith Equipment, USA provides jobs for 25 families in Belgrade and anticipates expanding their Belgrade plant, which will create an additional 6-10 permanent jobs. Each of the last four years, 50-89% of Smith Equipment, USA’s income was derived through export sales. The Exporter of the Year award is given in recognition of a company’s significant contribution to the state and national economies by Export Sales of Montana Products or Services.
MSE Technology Applications, Inc. – Plasma Services Division has been selected to receive the Export Marketing Program Award. This award is in recognition of the company’s excellence and effectiveness of individual marketing programs conducted in an effort to develop or increase export sales of Montana products or services.
MSE Technology Applications, Inc. (MSE-TA), located in Butte, provides engineering services, testing services, and plasma waste treatment systems. MSE-TA’s Plasma Services Division has concentrated their export efforts on the Asian market. In December 2001, MSE signed a $5.3 million contract with a company in Osaka, Japan. Since focusing their export efforts, the division’s export sales have increased over 28% since 2000. Additional contracts from the Asian market are expected in July and November 2002.
West Paw Design of Bozeman will be receiving a Certificate of Appreciation in recognition of their aggressive niche marketing efforts overseas. West Paw Design is the largest U.S. manufacturer of fabric dog and cat toys in the industry. West Paw Design sells products directly to over 1,500 retailers nationally and has expanded sales beyond North American borders into Japan, Canada, and Europe. By aligning with quality and service oriented distributors internationally, West Paw Design is filling the current void in high quality fabric toys and bedding. With a new 14,000 square foot manufacturing plant that doubles the size of the old plant, West Paw Design is showing no signs of slowing down. Despite huge competition in Asia, West Paw Design is moving forward with overseas marketing efforts, establishing itself as a leader and is gearing up for continued growth and success within the pet industry in the future.
The Montana Export Advocate Award will be presented to Larry Gianchetta, Dean of the University of Montana-School of Business Administration. Gianchetta is responsible for creating the Montana World Trade Center (MWTC) in Missoula. The MWTC is a nonprofit organization affiliated with The University of Montana operating in cooperation with universities throughout the state. The Center's purpose is to help Montana businesses establish or strengthen their international commercial capabilities. The Center works to develop the untapped international trade opportunities for the state and region. It was Gianchetta’s aggressive advocacy and support that brought an Export Assistance Center to Montana. Gianchetta is also an active member of the Montana District Export Council.
The Governor’s Excellence in Exporting Awards are presented annually by the Montana District Export Council (DEC). The DEC is a statewide organization of individuals, including export service providers, federal and state agencies, businesses, universities, and trade associations working to promote the export of Montana products, and providing assistance to firms seeking to start or expand international sales.
