ECD Announces 2012 Governor's Award for Trade Excellence Winners
Recipients to be Recognized at 59th Annual Governor’s Conference
NASHVILLE – The Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development today announced that Colonial Diversified Polymer Products, LLC in Dyersburg and Global Industrial Components, Inc. in Woodbury are recipients of the Governor’s Award for Trade Excellence. The GATE Award honors large and small-size companies who have achieved excellence in engaging in global trade. The winners will be presented their award on Friday, Oct. 19, at the 59th Annual Governor’s Conference on Economic and Community Development during the Governor’s Luncheon.
“Congratulations to this year’s GATE recipients for their exceptional efforts in regards to global trade and exporting,” Allen Borden, ECD assistant commissioner of Statewide Operations, said. “Exporting opens up new markets and sources of revenue, and these companies are great examples of the impact Tennessee businesses can have in the global marketplace.”
Colonial DPP, LLC is the recipient of the GATE Award in the large company category. Founded in 1946, the company is one of North America’s more diverse rubber suppliers and currently exports to China, Korea, Argentina, Brazil, Turkey, Europe, Mexico and Canada. Approximately 30 percent of Colonial DPP, LLC’s 2011 sales was direct export sales. The company also participated in the TNTrade trade mission to Mexico City in July.
GIC is the recipient of the GATE Award in the small company category. Headquartered in Woodbury, Tenn., the company designs and manufactures a variety of metal products. GIC has established a trading company in China and has hired a vice president of sales for Latin America with hopes of establishing a full model in Mexico. The company also participated in the TNTrade trade mission to Mexico City in July.
Tennessee companies exported more than $29.9 billion worth of goods and services to other countries in 2011, an increase of over 37 percent from 2007. Tennessee is the 14th largest exporting state in the U.S. and one of the country’s fastest growing exporters.
The 59th Annual Governor’s Conference on Economic and Community Development will be held Oct. 18 - 19 at the Renaissance Nashville Hotel. For more information on the conference, please visit www.tnecdcon.com.
About the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development
The Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development’s mission is to develop strategies which help make Tennessee the No. 1 location in the Southeast for high quality jobs. The department seeks to attract new corporate investment in Tennessee and works with Tennessee companies to facilitate expansion and economic growth. Find us on the web: tn.gov/ecd. Follow us on Twitter: @tnecd. Like us on Facebook: facebook.com/tnecd.
###
Media Contact: Shannon Sumrall, ECD
Office: (615) 253-4897
E-mail: shannon.sumrall@tn.gov