World Trade Center Utah and Utah Department of Workforce Services are trying to help local entrepreneurs get their products onto the world stage.
Jim Porter, a trade service manager for World Trade Center Utah (WTC), came to Logan recently to seek support for an Export Bootcamp set for June 12 and 13 at Bridgerland Technology College.
The free two-day bootcamp will begin at 9 a.m. and go until 4 p.m. and was designed to provide Cache Valley companies with the essentials needed to successfully navigate the international marketplace.
There are several companies in Cache Valley that already have an international presence. They have already learned to traverse the particulars needed to be successful all over the world.
Campbell Scientific is one of the companies that have made the leap and have tapped into worldwide commerce. Today, affiliate offices operate in Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Costa Rica, France, Germany, South Africa, Spain, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
“We got into the international market when it was the golden age of worldwide expansion,” said Paul Campbell, the former president of the company. “World Trade Center Utah is doing some great things to help businesses expand their markets.”
The local company is a leading manufacturer of data loggers, data acquisition systems, and measurement and control products used worldwide in a variety of applications related to weather, water, energy, gas flux and turbulence, infrastructure, and soil.
“We export a third of what we make,” Campbell said. “We have 12 offices all over the world.”
Brandon Israelsen, an inside sales representative for Campbell Scientific, said they have a big international presence.
“Our products can be found in most countries in the world,” he said. “We have a logistic department that handles the requirements needed for exporting our products internationally.”
Prismview, a subsidiary of Samsung Electronics, is also located in Logan and has an international presence with their electric signs in Europe and Asia.
Harris Research Inc. is another among Cache Valley companies that is sending its products to other counties.
“Export Bootcamp is a pretty cool thing. We are reaching out to local companies who want to learn how to export their goods,” said Porter. “We are taking applications from businesses; they have to apply and be accepted to attend the workshop.”
Bootcamp will cover the following:
- Export Readiness
- International Market Selection & Entry
- Pricing and Promotion
- Trade Finance
- Payment Mechanisms
- Logistics
- Trade Compliance
He said they have set the initial number of businesses to 10, with max room for two people from each company for the first workshop in Cache Valley.
“The target audience is ‘accidental exporters’ who would like to be more proactive getting their goods out there,” Porter said, “or those high-potential new-to-export companies.”
WTC Utah was organized by companies to help companies from the state take advantage of profitable global markets.
The first planning meeting involved representatives from the Cache County Chamber of Commerce, Bridgerland Business Resource Center, Utah State University Jon M. Huntsman School of Business and the U.S. Small Business Administration.
WTC Utah is one of 330 Trade Centers around the world and has access to market intelligence reports that facilitates international trade and investment. The organization is a strategic partner with the Governor’s Office of Economic Development, U.S. Commercial Service, Salt Lake Chamber, Economic Development Corporation of Utah and Utah Technology Council.