RICHMOND - The Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP) today announced the acceptance of a Prince William County company, Mediatech, Inc., 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.

Mediatech joins the program as part of the 17th 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 100 Virginia companies have been accepted to participate in the VALET program.

Mediatech, Inc. is a leading life science company providing products, services and solutions to support its customer's research, development and production. The company develops, manufactures, purchases and distributes a broad range of high quality cell culture media and molecular biology reagents related to tissue and cell culture applications, including culture media, basal salt solutions, antibiotics, sera, specialty media and flexible packaging systems. Its academic, biotechnology, and pharmaceutical customers use the products in scientific and genomic research, biotechnology, and pharmaceutical development, the diagnosis of disease and as key components in pharmaceutical and other high technology manufacturing. In addition to a broad product line of bottled products, Mediatech also develops, manufactures and supplies custom cell and tissue culture products to meet specific customer needs.

“We are honored to have been chosen to participate in the VALET Program and excited to work with such an experienced, knowledgeable and well-renowned partner in growing our business in the international marketplace,” said James DeOlden, President of Mediatech, Inc. “After 25 years of successful manufacturing and sales in the U.S., Mediatech is moving to the next level to capture the international market, and the VALET program fits perfectly to meet our information, education and referral requirements for distribution candidates, regulations and logistics support. Having partner consultants in each country we are entering will speed the introduction of our products and accelerate sales."

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 Mediatech 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 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 22-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 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.