RICHMOND - The Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP) today announced that eight Virginia companies have been selected to participate in the state’s two-year 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. Virginia Deputy Secretary of Commerce and Trade Matt Erskine attended the welcome event in Richmond today. Representing a variety of industries throughout the Commonwealth, the following companies have been accepted into the July 2004 VALET class:
Company Industry Location
- American Hofmann Corporation Precision Balancing Systems & Equipment Lynchburg
- Gala Industries, Inc. Plastic Pellet Production Technology Botetourt County
- K&M Environmental, Inc. Gas Detection Sensors Virginia Beach
- Language Analysis Systems, Inc. Advance Name Recognition Software Herndon
- Midwesco Filter Resources, Inc. Air Pollution Control Products & Services Winchester
- PEMCO Corporation Electric Power Systems for the Mining Industry Bluefield
- Power Systems & Controls, Inc. Power Quality Solutions Richmond
- Remarque Manufacturing Corp. Aircraft Components Hampton
“The VALET Program accelerates the development of international business by connecting companies with the practical tools needed for successful export sales,” said Kimberly Weir, VALET Program Manager. “VEDP looks forward to supporting these new participants as they implement their international strategies.”
To take part, each eligible business must meet several quantitative criteria and complete an application process. Participating firms are chosen based on their dedication to growth through export. Currently, 45 Virginia companies have been accepted to participate in the VALET program. Six companies successfully completed the program and graduated today.
Company Industry Location
- Hooker Furniture Furniture Martinsville
- Marshall Miller & Associates Energy & Environmental Engineering Bluefield
- Proxtronics Incorporated Dosimetry Systems Springfield
- Star Scientific, Inc. Technology-oriented Tobacco Chester
- Delta-T Corporation Alcohol Technology Williamsburg
- Turner Sculpture Wildlife Sculptures Onley
“From this point forward we expect our international business to grow faster and bigger as a result of all we’ve learned and accomplished during these two years,” said Proxtronics Sales & Marketing Manager Karen Williamson. “We consider the VALET Program a success as it has helped us stay on course and focus on international sales while overcoming significant obstacles.”
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 23 companies are VALET Program Partners:
Company Product/Industry Location
- ActiveMedia Web Marketing & Promotions Great Falls
- Allegheny Brokerage Company Export Control Compliance/Customs Brokerage/Forwarding Dublin
- BB&T Financial Services Richmond
- Bank of America Financial Services Richmond
- China Channel Limited Approaches to Seeking Business in China Petersburg
- CV International Ocean/Air Freight Forwarder/Transportation Provider Norfolk
- DallaVilla Design, LLC Marketing Communications Norfolk
- *FOCUS Enterprises, Inc. Washington, DC
- GlobalFon, Inc. Telecommunications Herndon
- The Global Law Group Legal Services Roanoke
- The Language Group Translation/Interpretation Virginia Beach
- Lasa Monroig & Veve Legal Services Washington D.C.
- LeClair Ryan Legal Services Richmond
- Marsh USA, Inc. Insurance Richmond
- People Going Global Cross-cultural Training Alexandria
- *Piascik & Associates Certified Public Accountants Glen Allen
- SunTrust Bank Financial Services Richmond
- TNB Language Services Language Translation, Interpretations, Situation & Cultural Training Roanoke
- Trade Show Training, Inc. Trade Show Planning Richmond
- Transition Success Consulting Cross-cultural Education and Training Alexandria
- UTi, United States Freight Forwarding/Customs/
- International Transportation/Logistics/Warehouse and Supply Chain Management Sterling
- Virtual Strategies, Inc. Corporate development consulting Washington, D.C.
- Williams Mullen Legal Services Richmond
*New Program Partner, July 2004
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 recruitment, expansion and international trade. VEDP has offices in Virginia, Germany, Hong Kong, Mexico, Brazil, Korea and Japan.
To learn more about the VALET program, visit www.ExportVirginia.org.
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