Nine Virginia Companies Chosen to Participate in State Export Program

RICHMOND - The Virginia Economic Development Partnership today announced that nine companies have been selected to participate in the VALET (Virginia Leaders in Export Trade) Program. Launched in January 2002, the program assists exporters in the Commonwealth that have firmly established domestic operations and are committed to international exporting as an expansion strategy. VALET provides capital, expert guidance and concrete solutions for businesses committed to expanding into international markets. Virginia Deputy Secretary of Commerce and Trade Matt Erskine congratulated the VALET participants at an event in Richmond today.

To take part, each eligible business must complete an application process. Participating firms are chosen from a wide spectrum of industries based on their commitment to exporting. Representing a variety of industries throughout the Commonwealth, the nine companies selected for the January 2003 VALET class are:

• AgilQuest Corporation
• Badger Fire Protection
• BluePrint Automation, Inc. 
• International Communications Group, Inc.
• Logis-Tech, Inc.
• McKinney and Company
• Slocum Adhesives Corporation
• Sorbilite, Inc.
• Teledyne Hastings Instruments

“The VALET Program brings us the discipline needed to sustain our strategic focus,” said Alan Sonner, Manager of Commercial Sales and Distribution for KITCO Fiber Optics, a Virginia Beach company and current VALET program participant. “The program has made a major contribution to the success of our export strategy.”

The VALET program incorporates services from VALET Program Partners, a team of experienced international service providers who assist the VALET companies with their international goals. Service providers such as attorneys, web designers, bankers, translators and freight-forwarders contribute essential skills for expansion into international markets. The following 26 companies are VALET Program Partners:

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• ActiveMedia
• Allegheny Brokerage Company
• BB&T
• Bank of America Financial Services
• Brown, Edwards & Co.
• China Channel Limited
• CV International
• Global Law Group
• Global Trade & Logistics Services, Inc.
• The Language Group
• Lasa Monroig & Veve
• LeClair Ryan
• Netchemia
• NexGen Communications
• Panalpina
• Park & Company
• SunTrust Bank
• Test4safety.com
• TNB Enterprises
• TRADOS, Inc.
• Transition Success Consulting
• USF Worldwide
• UTi
• *Virtual Strategies, Inc.
• Williams Mullen
• Yusen Air & Sea Services, Inc

"From my perspective, this is exactly the type of program that government should be promoting – it requires a very concrete level of commitment from the exporter and does not give ‘something for nothing.’ With the level of management and financial commitment required, I know that any participant who calls me is serious about exporting and will make use of the services and information which I provide,” said Hank Selby, President of Richmond-based Global Trade & Logistics Services, Inc., a VALET Program Partner. “As a partner, I not only get the benefit of greater exposure for my company and a personal introduction to committed exporters, but I also enjoy working with a program that I know will work for the good of all Virginians. I am glad to be able to donate my time.”

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The Virginia Economic Development Partnership, a marketing organization, was created by the Virginia General Assembly in 1995 to encourage, stimulate, and support the development and expansion of the economy of the Commonwealth. The Partnership is a state authority, which is governed by a 
15-member Board of Directors appointed by the Governor. To accomplish its objectives of promoting economic expansion within the Commonwealth, the Partnership focuses its efforts on business development and international trade. VEDP has offices in Virginia, Germany, Hong Kong, Mexico, Brazil, Korea and Japan. 

To find out more about the VALET Program including requirements to become a VALET participant, visit www.ExportVirginia.org.