Two Richmond-Area Companies Selected to Participate in Virginia’s VALET Program

RICHMOND - The Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP) today announced the acceptance of two Richmond-area companies into its two-year Virginia Leaders in Export Trade (VALET) program. The companies are Getloaded.com International, LLC of Midlothian and Spec Ops, Inc. of Ashland. Launched in January 2002, the VALET program assists exporters in the Commonwealth that have firmly established domestic operations and are committed to international exporting as an expansion strategy.

Getloaded.com International, LLC and Spec Ops, Inc. join the program as part of the 13th 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.

Getloaded.com is the leading Internet-based freight matching system, serving the transportation industry across the U.S. and Canada. Logistics professionals use Getloaded.com as a means of conveying their available loads (i.e. – freight) to thousands of motor carriers. In reverse, transportation carriers (i.e. – truckers) are instantly connected to third-party logistics professionals (brokers, shippers and freight forwarders) who are in search of available carriers with hauling capacity that may meet specific factors such as specific equipment, handling characteristics, reputation and financial stability. Getloaded.com’s commitment to customer service has resulted in tremendous growth for Getloaded over the past eight years. In recognizing that as the transportation industry continues to mature, better technology is needed to ensure that material moves within the supply chain better, faster, safer and more economically. Getloaded.com’s goal is to offer effective business tools for transportation and supply chain professionals to compete in this ever-changing and often quite challenging business environment.

“We view our participation in the VALET program as a way to jump-start our strategic entry into the international marketplace,” said Pat Hull, Getloaded.com Founder and CEO. “Virginia is a leader in providing local businesses with training, tools and resources to make the transition from the local to the international market and we are very proud to be a part of the VALET Class of 2008.”

Spec Ops, Inc. is an international supplier of pre-positioned and deployable Emergency Operations Centers (EOC), Mobile Command Posts (MCP), Tactical Operations Centers (TOC), Communication Systems and interoperable command and control hardware for emergency management, military, law enforcement, corporations and homeland security agencies. Spec Ops, Inc. has successfully designed, manufactured and delivered more than 25,000 products including turn-key, independently powered and rapidly deployable Incident Command Posts that are vehicle mounted or delivered by truck, trailer or aircraft. Similarly, Spec Ops customers have realized the benefit of utilizing the company’s easily reconfigurable hardware in fixed-wall or permanent facilities for stable, extended term operations. Spec Ops, Inc. is ISO 9001-2000 registered and has integrated systems throughout the U.S. and in nine countries.

“Spec Ops is presented with significant international opportunities each month and we look to the VALET program to assist with developing the best strategy to maximize our return on investment,” said Joe Swider, VP Business Development, Spec Ops, Inc. ‘As a small company, Spec Ops does not have adequate resources, tools or training to organically ramp up for international sales operations. We will leverage the resources provided by the VALET program with our own internal efforts to successfully execute our overall international strategy.”

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 these impressive new companies into the program,” said Leslie Parpart, VALET Program Manager. “We look forward to working with their international teams over the course of the next two years to assist them 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.