Allen Engineering Corporation was one of four Arkansas companies honored recently for leading the way in international business and exporting throughout the world.
Arkansas Governor Mike Beebe presented AEC with the Governor's Award for Excellence in Global Trade during an awards luncheon at the Governor's Mansion on May 12, 2011.
"Arkansas is proving time and again that our manufacturers, farmers and innovators can be exporters to the world," Beebe said. "Today's award recipients are taking the lead in expanding the reach and horizons of Arkansas businesses, to the benefit of our state and our workforce."
This is the second year for the program, which is co-sponsored by the Arkansas District Export Council, the Arkansas Economic Development Commission, U.S. Commercial Service Export Assistance Center-Arkansas and the Arkansas World Trade Center. "These award winners show how innovative Arkansas companies are working to help expand their export sales while spurring competitiveness and economic growth here at home," said Suresh Kumar, Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Trade Promotion and Director General of the U.S. & Foreign Commercial Service.
Judging criteria was based on factors such as most recent percentage of export sales to total sales, growth of export sales over the past three years, the company's goals and commitments internationally and the number of jobs saved or created due to the company's export performance if applicable.
Allen Engineering Corporation was recognized in the small/medium sized manufacturer/service exporter category (less than $50 million in total sales).
Jay Allen, President of Allen Engineering Corporation, accepted the Award. "It is an honor to receive this award" stated Allen who goes on to say, "on behalf of our employees and the Allen family, we are very proud to be one of only four companies in Arkansas to receive this award." AEC is one of the few companies in their industry sector to produce their equipment entirely in the U.S.
AEC is recognized for their aggressive pursuit of global opportunities through innovative tactics to capture market share, such as listening to the market and educating them on what it takes to produce high quality concrete floors. This approach has kept AEC focused on local markets needs and attitudes, which has given them critical competitive advantages in more than 30 international markets.
AEC's award application may have stood out to the judges due to its success in India and Southeast Asia. In Southeast Asia, AEC has joined a consortium of allied producers to create regional education and training initiatives in an effort to establish the producer's brand. Training classes will begin in Singapore, Vietnam, Malaysia and Hong Kong in the fall.
For more information, visit the AEC web site at www.alleneng.com.
