Gov. Doyle: Announces annual export achievement awards

Contacts: Carla Vigue, Office of the Governor, 608-261-2162

Tony Hozeny, Department of Commerce, 608-267-9661

State Firms, Organizations Set Record for Exports in 2008

MILWAUKEE – Governor Jim Doyle today presented his annual Export Achievement Awards recognizing Wisconsin firms and organizations that have achieved extraordinary results in international sales or have contributed to Wisconsin’s increased ability to compete in a global market. Wisconsin firms set an export record last year by exporting $20.6 billion worth of products, an overall increase of over 9 percent, in spite of a global economic crisis that led to a slight 1.6 percent decline in exports during the final quarter of 2008.

“In spite of a global economic crisis, Wisconsin’s export growth continues to climb, a reflection of the hardworking people of Wisconsin and the outstanding products our businesses make,” Governor Doyle said. “I’m proud to recognize these Wisconsin companies and institutions that have demonstrated leadership and innovation in responding successfully to international market challenges. They are building a great name for Wisconsin around the globe.”

Wisconsin’s exports have grown more than 92 percent since Governor Doyle took office. In 2008, Wisconsin’s top 5 export destinations were Canada, Mexico, China, Germany, and Japan. Wisconsin’s top exported products included machinery, medical instruments, vehicles, paper, and plastic.

The Export Achievement Awards are presented to state companies actively involved in export trade. Criteria include degree of export-related growth; innovative techniques and approaches that resulted in the company’s success; and demonstration of extra effort in capturing worldwide markets.

The award winners are as follows:

Small Manufacturing Exporter

W.S. Darley & Co., Chippewa Falls

W.S. Darley & Co. builds fire trucks, manufactures fire pumps, and sells fire fighting and emergency equipment through international catalogs, distributors, and the Internet. The firm has had manufacturing operations in the state since 1933. W.S. Darley has been exporting for over 70 years and currently sells to over 95 countries. During the past three years, the firm has averaged over $16 million in export sales. In 2008, W.S. Darley & Co. added 20 new jobs in Wisconsin; invested over $4.2 million in machinery and equipment; and constructed a $1.2- million building addition at its Chippewa Falls manufacturing plant in order to handle some of those growing exports.

Medium Manufacturing Exporter
Hurd Windows & Doors, Medford

For over 85 years, Hurd has been making wood windows and patio doors by hand. Four district sales managers led by an international manager handle export sales to 20 different markets including Canada, Mexico, China, Japan, Singapore, Morocco, Israel, and the Caribbean. Export sales grew by 66 percent in 2008 and the firm is expecting continued strong growth this year. Hurd accounts for 6.5 percent of all wood and clad/wood windows exported from the United States.

Large Manufacturing Exporter
Alliance Laundry Systems, Ripon

Alliance Laundry Systems is leading a cleaner world. The firm is an alliance of commercial laundry brands including Speed Queen, Huebsch, UniMac, Cissell and IPSO. It employs over 1300 people in Wisconsin and distributes products to over 90 countries worldwide, supported by approximately 250 authorized distributors. Over the last decade, Alliance Laundry has expanded its team of export managers from four to15 and has doubled its international service staff. International sales have more than doubled since 2004 and totaled over $87 million last year.

Manufacturing Exporter Plus
Greenheck Fan Corporation, Schofield

Greenheck Fan manufactures commercial and institutional ventilation equipment. The company has sales over $500 million annually, employs 2,400 people worldwide, and has manufacturing and office facilities in Wisconsin, Kentucky, California, North Carolina, Minnesota, Tennessee, Mexico, China, UAE, India, and Singapore. Wisconsin-made products are shipped to projects worldwide. Greenheck’s international sales have increased by 64 percent over the past three years and by 23 percent in 2008 alone. The firm designs products to meet different climatic conditions around the world and has a customer service staff that can answer questions in Mandarin Chinese, Spanish, Arabic, and Hindi, in addition to English.

Agricultural Exporter
Rosedale Genetics, Ltd., Oxford

Rosedale Genetics manages a herd of 250 Holstein cows. While milk production is important to Rosedale Genetics, it is the genetic base of the herd that has drawn worldwide attention. Since its establishment in 1997, the farm has exhibited five Grand Champions at World Dairy Expo as well as two that were named Supreme Champion and another two named Reserve Supreme Champion. Demand for Rosedale’s top-shelf genetics has resulted in the sale of over 100 embryos to 12 different countries a year. Embryo sales comprise 25 percent of the farm’s gross income. The farm regularly hosts trainees from Japan, Australia, New Zealand, and the Netherlands.

Agricultural Exporter Plus
Schreiber Foods Inc., Green Bay

Headquartered in Green Bay, Wis., Schreiber is the world’s largest customer brand dairy company with annual sales of more than $4 billion. Schreiber produces and distributes process, natural, cream and specialty cheeses; yogurt; butter; butter blends; sour cream; and a range of other creamery products to restaurants, foodservice organizations and retailers around the world. Specific areas of significant growth have been Asia; the Middle East and Mexico.

Service Exporter
Paradocs Embryo Transfer, Inc., Green Bay

Paradocs Embryo Transfer, Inc., provides bovine embryo recovery and transfer services, export coordination and shipping, as well as sales for cattle breeders and other U.S. embryo exporters. Over the past 20 years, Paradocs has exported to numerous countries with the largest markets in Germany, Japan, and China. The majority of Paradocs’ local clients are small Wisconsin farms which rely on embryo exports for stability during periods of fluctuating milk prices. International demand for high quality genetics has kept many farms afloat during tough economic times. Between 2006 and 2008, the number of export shipments coordinated by Paradocs grew by 150 percent while the value of the shipments increased by 215 percent.

Small Industrial Exporter
M-B-W, Inc., Slinger

M-B-W designs and manufacturers a wide range of soil compaction and concrete equipment for the construction industry, as well as a number of devices for soil testing, soil compaction, and gas leak detection and venting for utilities. The firm holds a number of patents in the United States and other countries. With subsidiaries in the United Kingdom and in France, M-B-W services a network of dealers and customers in over 60 countries. Export sales from the Wisconsin facility have increased by 36 percent over the last three years.

Export Assistance Provider
Madison International Trade Association, Madison

The Madison International Trade Association was established in April 1979 to develop and expand international trade and provide a forum for its members to exchange ideas and to discuss issues of mutual interest. Over the last several years the group has expanded its programming beyond the mechanics of exporting to include quality management, supply chain issues, distributor motivation, and other relevant topics. The association seeks to promote a better public understanding and appreciation of the significance of international trade.

Export Assistance Provider Plus
M.E. Dey & Co., Inc., Milwaukee

M.E. Dey & Company Inc. is a family-owned company founded in 1907 by Mae Elizabeth Dey. It has grown to become Wisconsin’s leader in export forwarding, U.S. Customs compliance, and Customs clearance. Since a majority of customers are small- or medium-sized exporters and new to the process, M.E. Dey’s Export Division will take the time to train and educate customers when needed. M. E. Dey’s export employees consider themselves to be an extension of their client’s export department. This is M.E. Dey’s third Export Achievement Award, having won in 1995 and 2000.