4th quarter 2008           

County-sponsored trade mission to Europe holds promise for two area manufacturers

In 2007, an estimated $270 million in Volusia County products were sold and shipped to customers in more than 120 countries worldwide.

Volusia County’s Division of Economic Development is working with area companies to do even more international sales.

Earlier this year, Volusia County was awarded an international trade grant from Enterprise Florida’s International Trade Program to fund a European initiative.

“The grant is being used to help local companies identify potential new markets, customers and product representatives throughout Europe,” said Paul Mitchell, the county’s international trade specialist. “By encouraging new trade opportunities, we reinforce the need for local workers to fill these new orders. Many times new international sales require an employer to retain existing jobs or create a need for new workers.”

With an eye on the European market, Volusia County’s most recent initiative focused on a week-long participation in one of Europe’s most important military defense events – Defendory International. Held in Athens, Greece, this international military defense event brought together many of the world’s major producers of military and homeland security products.

Participating in the county’s program for the first time, Frank Socolow, director of International Sales, and Terra Brock, marketing manager for Daytona Beach based Raydon Corporation had opportunities to meet with more than a dozen potential customers interested in the company’s unique military simulation training technologies.

Keith Landy, vice president of Germfree Laboratories (center), discusses the potential for sales of
mobile bio-chemical labs to the Athens government, represented by Aristidis Glynis, managing
director of Eagle Hellas Ltd. At left is Paul Mitchell, international trade specialist, Volusia
County Division of Economic Development.

“As members of the NATO alliance, countries such as Greece and Turkey share a common cause and have similar needs in finding opportunities to improve cost efficiencies in the delivery of real life training exercises that save money and lives,” said Mitchell. “Raydon offers both.”

Also joining the Volusia County delegation was Keith Landy, vice president
of Germfree Laboratories, an Ormond Beach manufacturer of chemical and biological mobile laboratories. Germfree continues to build its international sales that today account for up to 25 percent of the company’s annual sales.

At Defendory, Landy met with a wide range of potential customers including the City of Athens which is exploring and evaluating chemical and biological support systems for use in its subway system.

Raydon Corporation and Germfree Laboratories were sponsored by the county Division of Economic Development as delegates to participate in the United States Department of Commerce—Commercial and Foreign Service’s Aerospace, Defense, Safety and Security Trade Mission to Greece.

These sponsorships provided both companies opportunities to identify and establish relationships with key contacts and businesses looking for aerospace, defense, safety and security products unique to each company.

“The mission offered prescreened, one-on-one sales meetings set by the U.S. Commercial and Foreign Service,” were conducted by the two companies in
addition to economic briefings and future sales potential debriefings by the U.S. Embassy in Athens.”

One of the highlights of the week was a reception sponsored by the U.S. Ambassador to Greece, Daniel V. Speckhard.

Volusia County’s European Trade Initiative is funded with state resources
provided by Enterprise Florida. The program is designed to support trade show
participation, logistical support, market research, identification of potential
customers and product representatives in an ongoing effort to encourage the sale of locally manufactured goods and services throughout Europe.

Raydon and Germfree anticipate several millions of dollars in new export
sales over the next 36 to 48 months due to their participation in Defendory
International and the coordinated services offered by this program. The county’s European Trade Initiative is ongoing through September 2009.

Opportunities for funding assistance for individually designed sales missions are available to any Volusia County company. If you would like to learn more about these unique opportunities or to be considered for participation in this
program contact Paul Mitchell, international trade specialist, at 386/248-8048.