Governor McAuliffe Announces New Exports to Canada for Virginia Coal Equipment Manufacturer

RICHMOND - Governor Terry McAuliffe announced today that Ceramic Technology, Inc., a Cedar Bluff-based manufacturer of ceramic-lined coal and mineral process equipment, made more than $300,000 in sales to new customers in Canada as a result of its participation in the Go Global with Coal & Energy Technology (GGCET) program. GGCET is a collaboration of the Governor’s Office, the Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority (VCEDA) and the Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP), resulting from the Governor’s 2014 Energy Plan. Canada was Virginia’s largest product export destination in 2015, with product exports totaling more than $3.4 billion.

“As part of our 2014 Energy Plan, we laid out a vision for facilitating access to international markets for coal supply chain companies based in Southwest Virginia,” said Governor McAuliffe. “GGCET gives these businesses in the Coalfield region an opportunity to export their expertise and products, helping them expand their businesses and create jobs. Ceramic Technology, Inc. is a great example of a Virginia business that expanded its international clientele with the help of this important program. We will continue to find innovative ways to help grow existing businesses as we build the new Virginia economy.”

Ceramic Technology, Inc. recently celebrated its 32nd year of operation. This anniversary marks an innovative progression into the design and development of the current CTI-X7 ceramic-lined process equipment being used throughout the coal, power, potash, phosphate, and gold mining industries.

Ceramic Technology, Inc. graduated from the Virginia Leaders in Export Trade (VALET) program in July 2013. The company conducted a business trip to Toronto and Montreal in October 2015 through the GGCET program. Traveling to this important international market provided the company with the opportunity to meet with potential customers in the country through connections made by VEDP’s in-country partner.

Making the announcement on behalf of the Governor at the Virginia Conference on World Trade, Secretary of Commerce and Trade Todd Haymore added, “Ceramic Technology is the first Virginia company to leverage this innovative program to expand its footprint in the international marketplace. The funding provided by VCEDA to support the GGCET program allows these companies to travel to international markets and find customers outside of Virginia and the U.S., diversifying their customer base and creating jobs in the Coalfield region along the way.”

In addition, Ceramic Technology, Inc. exhibited at the 2016 Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy & Petroleum Show in Vancouver, where company representatives met potential new clients to develop sales relationships in the gold and uranium markets. The CTI-X7 ceramic-lined process equipment continues outperforming traditional rubber and AR-lined mining equipment, increasing efficiency 10 to 15 times over the current base line performance.

“We look forward to increasing our Canadian market share and to the continued relationship with VEDP and the GGCET Program,” said Lee R. Osborne, President and CEO of Ceramic Technology, Inc. “With the assistance of an in-country partner, we were able to accomplish a great deal more than we could have if we had travelled to market on our own.”

The GGCET program assists coal and energy technology companies in the Virginia coalfield region in expanding their international business. GGCET offers a powerful combination of resources provided by VCEDA and VEDP, as well as professional services from expert, private-sector partners. GGCET is modeled after and linked to VEDP’s award-winning VALET program.

“VCEDA is pleased to support coalfield companies’ participation in the Commonwealth’s international trade development programs through GGCET,” said J.P. Richardson, VCEDA Vice Chairman. “VCEDA is assisting eight of our region's coal and energy technology companies with support and access to resources to help expand their international sales and markets.”

In 2014, the Commonwealth of Virginia exported more than $36 billion in manufactured goods and services. Exports of Virginia’s products and services to the world are vital to the growth of the Commonwealth, with an economic impact to Virginia of more than $18.7 billion in labor income, $2 billion in tax revenue and the creation of nearly 321,000 jobs.

More information about Ceramic Technology, Inc. may be found at http://www.ceramictech.net.