Richmond - The Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP) today announced that The C.F. Sauer Company received the 2014 Commonwealth of Virginia Governor’s Award for Excellence in International Trade. The award was presented by Governor McAuliffe at the Virginia Conference on World Trade in Richmond. The C.F. Sauer Company, founded in 1887 and based in Richmond, is one of the nation’s top producers of both branded and private label spices, flavoring extracts and condiments.

The Commonwealth of Virginia Governor's Award for Excellence in International Trade, created in 2007, recognizes a Virginia business that excels in global trade. The recipient of the award will have increased its international sales while promoting the best interests of its employees and surrounding community. Therefore, the recipient will have contributed to the overall economic health and quality of life of Virginians.

C.F. Sauer joined VEDP’s Virginia Leaders in Export Trade (VALET) program in July 2012 as part of the 22nd class. Launched in January 2002, the program assists companies in the Commonwealth that have firmly established domestic operations and are committed to international exporting as an expansion strategy. Currently, the VALET program has 50 companies as participants, and 200+ Virginia companies have graduated from the program.

While in the two-year VALET program, C.F. Sauer increased its annual international sales by 25 percent.

“Although the Governor’s award was a public acknowledgement of our growth and success in international sales, our success is directly related to C.F. Sauer’s association with VEDP and our participation in the VALET program,” said Rob Davenport, Sales Manager, Business Development. “The amount of resources provided to C.F. Sauer by VEDP allowed us to focus on growing our business rather than spending valuable time on some of the basic components needed to set us up for success. Whatever we needed—market analysis, setting up meetings with potential customers, or vetting partners overseas, VEDP had the resources for our use and was committed to Sauer’s success. I have always said that working with VEDP is like having two or three additional employees without having to pay for them.”

Selling products globally in countries in Western Africa, Mexico, South America, Australia and New Zealand, C. F. Sauer continues to explore new markets in Southern Africa, S.E. Asia and the Americas. To help the company penetrate new international markets for mayonnaise, C. F. Sauer is creating innovative packaging solutions. In January 2015 the company will complete expansion efforts in their Richmond operations to better serve domestic and international growth in their spice business.

“The C.F. Sauer Company is a true Virginia success story more than a century in the making, and we are proud that the company calls Virginia home while expanding its global reach,” said Paul Grossman, VEDP Vice President of International Trade.

The Virginia Economic Development Partnership
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 24-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, China, Germany, Japan, India and the United Kingdom.

To learn more about the VALET program, visit http://exportvirginia.org/valet-program/