RICHMOND - The Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP) today announced that eight Virginia companies were selected to participate in the state’s two-year Virginia Leaders in Export Trade (VALET) 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. Mark Kilduff, Executive Director of VEDP, spoke to the new and graduating classes at the welcome event in Richmond today. Seven companies successfully completed the program and graduated today:
- Company
- Care Rehab and Orthopaedic Products, Inc.
- Medical Equipment & Supplies
- McLean
- Filtrona Fibertec
- Custom Bonded Fiber Components
- Colonial Heights
- John C. Nordt Co. Inc.
- Precious Metal Products
- Roanoke
- Lee Tennis LLC, a division of Luck Stone
- Tennis Court Surfacing, Equipment
- Charlottesville
- Medeco Security Locks, Inc.
- High Security Locks and Cylinders
- Salem
- TechLab, Inc.
- Intestinal Diagnostics
- Blacksburg
- Zeller + Gmelin Corporation
- UV Curing Printing Inks
- Richmond
“The graduating VALET companies were successful in establishing new sales relationships in their target markets. These companies dedicated themselves to creating new partnerships, and they yielded great results: 12 new international customers, eight new distributors, and three new overseas sales offices. The process of engaging new international contacts is the greatest challenge to successful export, and I commend them for the commitment that these results reflect,” said Paul Grossman, Director of the VEDP International Trade Division.
Representing a variety of industries throughout the Commonwealth, the following companies were accepted into the VALET Class of July 2005:
- connectool, Inc.
- Data Communications Installation Tools
- Goochland County
- EarthWalk Communications, Inc.
- Education Technology Provider
- Manassas
- Hawkeye Manufacturing, Inc.
- Hot Tub Manufacturer
- Richmond
- QualityCare, Inc.
- Medical Equipment Supplies
- Fairfax
- Rowe Furniture
- Furniture Manufacturer
- McLean
- Taylor-Ramsey Corporation
- Forest Products
- Amherst County
- Trinity Technology International, LLC
- Information Technology, Security, Government/Commercial
- Fairfax
- VISADOR Holding Corporation
- Building Products Manufacturing
- Marion
“This new class of companies reflects a remarkable cross-section of the Virginia business community,” said Kimberly Weir, VALET Program Manager. “This diversity of industry allows open exchange of ideas about how to succeed in international trade. We encourage the companies to make the most of one another’s experience as a resource within the program.”
To participate, 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, 60 Virginia companies have been accepted to participate in the VALET program.
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:
- ActiveMedia
- Web marketing and 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
- Diversified Distribution, Inc.*
- Value-added distribution and logistics services
- Martinsville
- ExactLingua, L.L.C.*
- Multi-language translation and interpretation services
- Williamsburg
- FOCUS Enterprises, Inc.
- Corporate development, finance and growth consulting
- Washington, DC
- The Global Law Group
- Legal services
- Roanoke/Richmond
- 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 and 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 2005
The VALET program was recognized as a national model in November 2004 by the National Council for Public-Private Partnerships (NCPPP) for VALET’s innovation in bringing the public and private sectors together to achieve a benefit for the public. The VALET program was the only winner of the 2004 NCPPP Public-Private Partnership Award in the Innovation category.
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 21-member Board of Directors appointed by the Governor and the Virginia General Assembly. 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.