Honor roll of U.S. exporters

Business America, April 20, 1992

Selling American products and services in other countries has become an increasingly important national objective as a way to create jobs and otherwise boost the U.S. economy and improve our trade balance. Those U.S. companies that make special efforts to increase exports are not only helping themselves - they are helping their country as well. The same holds true for various other organizations that provide export services. These companies and organizations deserve recognition. As the U.S. government's magazine on international trade, Business America continues its "Honor Roll of U.S. Exporters." The honor roll includes winners of the President's "E" Award for excellence in exporting and as many other winners of export achievement awards as we can collect. We ask our readers to inform us about state and local exporting awards that may have escaped our attention. Write or call us: Business America, Room 3414, U.S. Department of Commerce, Washington, D.C. 20230; tel. (202) 377-3251.

President's "E" Award

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The President's "E" Award for excellence in exporting has been awarded to firms in Minesota and Virginia.

* Bison Instruments, Inc. of Minneapolis, Minn. Bart C. Hazleton, president. Five years ago, the 17-employee manufacturer of portable geophysical instruments and friction measurement devices put into operation a plan to expand its overseas distribution channels. Then, it sold only 23 percent of its products overseas; today the percentage is more than 60 percent. Bison, which previously had sales representation in Europe, has directed its recent efforts toward South America and Asia. In 1987, the company got the attention of the Japanese at an international trade show for its seismographs. The Japanese bought Bison equipment, and company officials believe the market will grow. Bison also is expanding its marketing activities in the former Soviet Union and Eastern Europe. To meet foreign competition, it has developed new, more reliable, and lower-priced products. In working with its distributors, Bison emphasizes training and maintenance of equipment.

* Pressure Systems, Inc., of Hampton, Va. Douglas B. Juanarea, president. The 97-employee manufacturer of electronic pressure measurement instruments sells about one-fourth of its equipment to 20 countries on five continents. Its major markets are China, Japan, Israel, and the countries in Western Europe. Recent additions are India, Australia, Norway, and Iran, and it is expanding its activities in Russia, Yugoslavia, and Czechoslovakia. The company has been persistent in pursuing business opportunities in China in spite of the turmoil there and believes its efforts are paying off. Pressure Systems conducts in-house and on-site training seminars to educate its customers and sales representatives; it considers this effort and investment to be a base for growth in the world market for its products. Regarding credit as a tool to "grow exports," the firm has used a variety of credit techniques to secure sales. Pressure Systems is prepared to supply invoices and other documents in foreign languages, when necessary.

Other Export Awards

BOISE, IDAHO - Nonpareil Corporation of Blackfoot, Idaho, has been awarded the 1991 Governor's Export Marketing Award for its "significant contributions to the state and national economy by the export sales of Idaho products or services." The company, headed by Christopher T. Abend, president, has established itself as an industry leader in fresh and dehydrated potato products. Established in 1946, Nonpareil continues to develop new and innovative potato processes and products for the food industry. The firm has grown steadily over the years and has continually built its export clientele. Nonpareil ships to more than 21 countries - more than any other similar potato processor in Idaho.

MINNEAPOLIS, MINN. - Brian Broadway, president of Data Sciences, Inc., of Roseville, Minn., has been selected as the Minnesota Small Business Exporter for 1992. Data Sciences, Inc., is a manufacturer of implantable radio-telemetry devices used for monitoring vital signs in laboratory animals. The firm's customers include pharmaceutical companies, academic biomedical research laboratories, and independent testing companies. The company has established markets for its products in Europe and Japan. Exports account for 60 percent of revenues.