Companies that may have dabbled in exporting, but recognize that they now need to take a proactive approach to building international sales should seriously consider registering for the fall edition of ExporTech, an intense executive-level program for small- and medium-sized firms.  The next session of ExporTech will start in October and run through December.

ExporTech is designed to help small- and medium-sized firms that have either not exported or only made limited international shipments in the past to strategically assemble and implement an export marketing plan.  The ExporTech curriculum was developed by the U.S. Department of Commerce and the national Manufacturing Extension Partnership.  It has been used in 29 other states over the last three years.  Local experts speak to the group on conducting market research, shipping issues, finance and payment, export compliance regulations, and other topics.  A mentor/coach is assigned to each company to help maintain plan progress and meet deadlines; offer advice on data sources, and connect the company with additional information and experts to complete the strategic plan and overcome obstacles.

Senior executives at participating firms are required to commit to attend three eight-hour sessions and work with a mentor/coach in between group meetings.  Participating companies are from non-competing sectors and sharing of ideas and strategies among the participants is encouraged.  Participation is capped at eight companies to ensure that each is able to get appropriate attention and foster group communication.  Seven Wisconsin companies completed the first ExporTech program in June.

"This is the best money we’ve spent in a long time.  ExporTech was a great experience and helped us tap into a wealth of resources we didn’t know existed," said Mr. Neil Karolek, president and CFO of TLX Technologies, a Waukesha-based manufacturer of custom electro-mechanical solenoids, actuators and control valves.

Mr. Timm Johnson, vice president of sales and marketing for Spee-Dee Packaging Machinery, Inc. in Sturtevant had this to say about his firm's experience of ExporTech, “We’ve wanted to explore exporting for a long time. Once we committed to ExporTech, it provided the impetus and structure that helped us build a viable export development strategy."

The Wisconsin sessions are coordinated by the Wisconsin Manufacturing Extension Partnership (WMEP) and the Wisconsin Department of Commerce Bureau of Export Development.  Additional sponsors include Bentley World Packaging Ltd., FedEx, M&I Marshall & Ilsley Bank, and the Milwaukee World Trade Association.  For more information contact Ms. Mary Regel, Director of Commerce’s Bureau of Export Development, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , (608) 266-1767 or Ms. Roxanne Baumann, WMEP Director of Partnerships and Alliances, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , (262) 696-3540.