Are You a Star Exporter?

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ThinkGlobal is accepting nominations for the 2012 Exporter of the Year Award. The Exporter of the Year Awards are given to one U.S. company in each of ThinkGlobal's Commercial News USA magazine's industry categories.

Nominate yourself (why not?) or someone else you know who is doing a fabulous job on the exporting front.

Criteria:

Winners in each industry will be chosen by the ThinkGlobal publishing team based on the total number of documented export deals completed in 2010, total percentage increase in sales in 2009 compared to 2009, exports as percentage of total sales, the company's commitment to exporting, the company's commitment to customer service, and the company's innovation and originality in marketing products or services. To be eligible for the award, the nominee must be a company that is exporting from the United States. Companies may nominate themselves for the award.

Go here to apply/nominate.  At the same time, find out who won in 2011.

Deadline: September 17, 2011

Good luck!  And let us know if you win!

Who Says Plumbing Can't be Sexy and Exportable?

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Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin-based Bradley Corp., an international manufacturer of commercial plumbing fixtures and washroom accessories, received a 2010 Exporter of the Year award from ThinkGlobal Inc., publisher of Commercial News USA, the official export promotion magazine of the U.S. Commerce Department.

Bradley serves a diverse customer base ranging from small local facilities to international corporations such as WalMart, General Motors, U.S. Postal Service, W.W. Grainger, and AMC Theaters Corp.

Here's what we can learn from Bradley on taking a business global:

"Our company's commitment to product innovation and strong customer service - as well as aggressive sales promotions in Germany and the Czech Republic -- have all positively influenced our continued success in product exportation," said Steve Zingsheim, Vice President, International Sales, Bradley Corp. "We also work closely with the Department of Commerce and take advantage of services such as the Gold Key in Japan and Mexico. Because of our many years of service in the international community through organizations like Milwaukee World Trade Association (MWTA), we mentor international students enrolled at local area colleges."

Find out more here. Bradley backgrounder here.

Congratulations to Bradley! It is clear they are benefiting from their export efforts through new market expansion opportunities that lead to powerful growth.