Richmond Company Selected to Participate in Virginia’s VALET Program

RICHMOND - The Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP) today announced the acceptance of a Richmond company, Sealeze, 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.

Sealeze 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.

Sealeze is the industry leader in providing brush-based solutions for industrial, military and aerospace applications. The company’s brush products provide a simple, cost-effective way to flexibly seal, shield, protect, close gaps, guide, position, dissipate static, clean and address many other applications. Sealeze weather seals close gaps around all types of doors, significantly reducing building energy costs and they provide an effective barrier to pests like rodents, birds and insects without impairing door movement. Custom-forming capabilities enable shapes and designs that best meet application needs. Sealeze is known for its ability to turn-around engineered solutions about twice as fast as the industry average. Sealeze’s high customer satisfaction is supported by their ISO9001:2000, Kaizen, and Lean TPM programs.

“After participating in VEDP’s Accessing International Markets (AIM) program, we received first-hand experience of the great value VEDP brings,” said Patrick Fitzgerald, Market/Business Development Manager, Sealeze. “The personal support, trade missions, quality contacts, market research and training received has kept us moving forward with our activities. There is absolutely no doubt we would have had to spend significantly more time and multiple trips to our target country to accomplish what we did with the VEDP team in one trip. Our involvement in AIM shifted our mindset to rethink our product offerings and distribution tactics for international growth. We have modified several products that depart from our domestic business model and are now well positioned for international export and consumption. We will leverage this experience and knowledge within the VALET program.”

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 Sealeze 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.