Planning & Development
Read about upcoming Export events!
[ About ]
[ Services ]
[ Partners ]
[ 2009 Activities ] [ Why Export? ] [ Testimonial ] [ Market Access Grant ] [ Authorized Trade Representatives ]
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Export Development Expo hosted by SPC, 2010 |
About Export Development
The goal of SPC’s Export Development Program is to provide assistance and create opportunities for Southwestern Pennsylvania companies to expand their business internationally, thereby increasing export sales and employment prospects in the region. SPC’s Export Development staff offers consultative services to small- and mid-sized businesses located throughout Southwestern Pennsylvania. SPC’s Export Development Program also sponsors and co-sponsors educational seminars and training programs designed for exporters and potential exporters in the region.
Services
Our services include:
- Export-readiness assessment
- Market identification and access strategies
- International market and industry research
- Trade show and event preparation
- Market Access Grant (MAG)
- Business etiquette and negotiation tactics
- Export documentation and other technical assistance
- Virtual Trade Advisor
Studies indicate that increased exports contribute significantly
to economic growth, yet most small- and mid-sized firms don’t
consider international business opportunities because they
lack trained personnel or have limited access to international
marketing resources. Publicly-funded export programs—like
SPC’s Export Development Program—provide assistance and
afford these companies the opportunity to be internationally
successful while contributing to our region’s economic growth.
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Export Development Expo hosted by SPC, 2010
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Partners
As the region’s Local Development District, SPC partners
with various state- and federally-funded organizations related
to international business development including:
• Duquesne University Small Business Development Center
• Department of Community and Economic Development,
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
• Saint Vincent College SBDC, Center for
Global Competitiveness
• U.S. Department of Commerce, U.S. Commercial Service
• U.S. Appalachian Regional Commission
In addition, SPC works with a global network of Authorized Trade Representatives representing the Commonwealth of
Pennsylvania. These representatives provide market research
and other services from countries in Europe, Asia, Africa,
Australia, the Middle East, and North and South America.
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2009 Activities
2009 Activities In 2009, SPC's Export Development program continued to meet the high demand for export assistance services from businesses in the region, many of which are now depending on international sales more than ever before. SPC's Export Development program and the hands-on services it offers were vital to the exporters in this region for identifying their export markets as well as for finding overseas distributors.
In 2009, SPC was asked to resume the full responsibility as the coordinator of the Regional Export Network for the Commonwealth's international trade development program. SPC not only welcomed the opportunity to fulfill our responsibilities given by the state, but also exceeded the annual performance goals that DCED set for our region. In 2009, SPC's Export Development program served 217 companies by completing 415 export-related service requests. Staff assisted local companies in attending trade events, meeting overseas prospects, and receiving export development grants. SPC coordinated and facilitated various export-related seminars and training events in the region to introduce companies to the export process. In 2009, client businesses reported over $50 million export sales attributable to SPC's services.
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Export Development Expo hosted by SPC, 2010
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Why Export?
- Many studies and statistics show that exports contribute and often lead to economic growth. Although the Southwestern Pennsylvania region has substantial potential to export, the volume of the region's exports is significantly below the nation's average. As a result, export development has become an essential component of the region's economic growth.
- The average company in Southwestern Pennsylvania employs 16 people. Small firms often overlook international business opportunities because they lack trained personnel and international marketing knowledge. Publicly-funded export development programs provide assistance and opportunities to these small businesses, while increasing their chance for success.
- Southwestern Pennsylvania has witnessed a shift in industry, from traditional manufacturing to advanced manufacturing, technology and services. Export development is a crucial component for growth in these new clusters. Our program offers the necessary resources to companies in these industries, many of whom lack in-house international representation.
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Testimonials
"We have been receiving export assistance services from the SPC, and these services have been very important to our continued growth and successes in exporting. In an environment in which our country is losing manufacturing jobs, PIROX LLC is, with assistance from SPC, creating manufacturing jobs in Beaver County."
-- Ashok Mathur, CEO, PIROX LLC
"Recently we have begun to sell our equipment and chemicals to customers in other international locations… all these international opportunities translate into sales revenue and jobs in Western PA. We have been receiving export services from SPC for many years, and the services were very important to our successes in exporting to foreign countries. There is no doubt that export has become a vital part of our business, especially in today's economic environment. At a time when U.S. sales are flat or declining, we are still seeing the potential for growth in our international sales."
-- James Burd, President & CEO, Preservation Technologies
"Please mention our story; we want others to know about your good job!"
- - Gilberto Fregoso, International Sales, Conco Systems, Inc.
(Note: After participating in the PA trade mission to Israel, Conco Systems, a manufacturer of cleaning systems for tubes and related industrial applications, has appointed a new trade representative in Israel. Following this success, the company also worked with SPC's program and identified four companies as their sales representatives in Saudi Arabia.)
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Market Access Grant
This program is designed to enhance the capability of small and mid-sized Pennsylvania companies to increase export sales. The PA Market Access Grant (MAG) is a valuable tool available to export ready companies seeking financial assistance and foreign market entry support. Through this matching grant program with a maximum annual award of $3,000 provided by the PA Department of Community and Economic Development’s Office of International Business Development (OIBD), the grant can offset a portion of the qualifying expenses associated with international marketing initiatives. For more information and application on the MAG, please contact export@spcregion.org.
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Authorized Trade Representatives
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AUSTRALIA (New Zealand) |
NORTH & SOUTH AMERICA |
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CANADA |
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MEXICO |
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BRAZIL |
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CHILE |
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SOUTH AFRICA |
MIDDLE EAST |
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SAUDI ARABIA |
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UNITED ARAB EMIRATES (Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Yemen) |
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ISRAEL (Egypt, Greece, Jordan, Turkey) |
EUROPE |
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CZECH REPUBLIC (Hungary, Poland, Slovakia) |
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FRANCE |
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GERMANY (Italy, Switzerland, Austria) |
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THE NETHERLANDS (Belgium) |
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SPAIN |
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UNITED KINGDOM (Ireland, Scandinavia) |
ASIA |
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CHINA |
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INDIA |
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JAPAN |
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SINGAPORE (Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines) |
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SOUTH KOREA |
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TAIWAN |
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VIETNAM |
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For more information on the Export Development
Program, contact Rena Liu-Belshe, Manager, at (412) 391-5590
x320 or e-mail export@spcregion.org.
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