Virginia Beach Company Selected to Participate in Virginia’s VALET Program

RICHMOND - The Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP) today announced the acceptance of a Virginia Beach company, SteelMaster® Buildings, LLC, into its 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.

SteelMaster® Buildings, LLC joins the program as part of the 12th class of VALET companies. 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, more than 90 Virginia companies have been accepted to participate in the VALET program.

SteelMaster® Buildings, LLC, founded in February 1982, is a privately held company headquartered in Virginia Beach. It manufactures and sells premium quality arched steel buildings and roofing systems worldwide. Throughout its 25 years in business, SteelMaster has successfully designed buildings and structures for a variety of applications ranging from storage units to airplane hangars to architecturally designed roofing systems. SteelMaster aims to exceed the design requirements and expectations of its customers by providing high-quality buildings with exceptional service that fulfills the needs of their end users. SteelMaster strives to become the preferred supplier of arched steel buildings in the world as it expands its business abroad.

“It is an honor for SteelMaster Buildings to have been accepted into the VALET Program,” said Rob Poellnitz, Director of Commercial Sales. “We are very excited to take part in this course and believe it will help in the growth of our export initiatives. Venturing into the global market is not merely a desire; it is a necessity for SteelMaster. We believe that the VALET Program has the resources and tools to help us navigate through the many barriers in international trade.”

The VALET program incorporates services from 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.

“VALET welcomes SteelMaster Buildings into the program,” said Leslie Parpart, VALET Program Manager. “We look forward to working with its international team over the course of the next two years to assist the company in exceeding export goals.”

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, Belgium, Hong Kong, Mexico, Brazil, Korea and Japan.

To learn more about the VALET program, contact Leslie Parpart, VALET Program Manager, at LParpart [at] YesVirginia.org or visit the programs tab at www.ExportVirginia.org.