Exporting isn’t just for large businesses anymore, state and federal trade officials told a Durango audience Thursday.
U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet’s office hosted a forum about exporting Colorado products abroad for local businesspeople at Durango Public Library.
“There’s a misconception out there that you have to be a big business to start exporting,” said John Addison, international marketing specialist with the Colorado Department of Agriculture. “It’s not true.”
Eighty to 90 percent of exports are by small to medium-sized businesses, he said.
State and federal agencies offer grants, loans and expertise to encourage exporting. Officials view exporting as desirable because it brings in money from outside the area, boosting the local economy.
“When you find international buyers ... you’re bringing brand-new wealth into our economy,” said Sandi Moilanen, international division director for the Colorado Office of Economic Development.
Colorado companies exported $8.1 billion in manufactured, agricultural and mineral goods in 2012, up 11.3 percent from the previous year, according to Bennet’s office. Although the forum was hosted by Bennet’s office, the senator did not attend.
Kerry Siggins, chief executive of StoneAge Waterblast Tools, said international markets and particularly China are increasingly important to StoneAge, a Durango manufacturer of high-pressure water cleaning instruments.
“Half of our sales are international,” Siggins said.
StoneAge aggressively ramped up its international sales efforts as the U.S. economy foundered in 2009, she said. StoneAge officials traveled to China, learning social niceties such as how to present a business card and how to drink with Chinese hosts.
StoneAge expects to ring up $3 million in sales in China this year, Siggins said.
“Our international business is a huge part of our strategy,” Siggins said. “It really helps smooth out the bumps you see in the domestic market.”
Other Durango businesses are dipping a toe in international markets.
Ska Brewing Co. has found a thirsty audience for its craft beer in Sweden, and is working to enter the United Kingdom, as well.
Doug Parmentier, AudioAir’s vice president for business development, said the company is looking internationally, specifically Britain, because of interest AudioAir has received from a media firm there.
“We are working toward that as our business develops,” Parmentier said.
cslothower@durangoherald.com
