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Connor Sports Accepts the 2012 Michigan Ag Exporter of the Year Award. Pictured Left to Right: Jamie Zmitko-Somers, MDARD International Marketing Program Manager, Jamie Clover Adams, MDARD Director, Govenor Snyder, and Connor Sports Representatives |
The International Marketing Program is pleased to announce Connor Sports of Amasa, MI, as the “Michigan Agriculture Exporter of the Year.” Connor Sports has been a long-term exporter that has demonstrated a consistent commitment to serving customers in 40 plus countries on 6 continents and has been doing so since 1992.
Connor Sports, manufactures northern hard maple sourced from Michigan into strip flooring for sports flooring applications. In the past five years, Connor Sports has grown their exports from being 10% of the firms overall business to 26% of overall business. “Connor Sports is honored to be awarded Ag Exporter of the Year by the State of Michigan. We’re very proud of our 100+ year old roots in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula and are excited to be recognized as a major contributor to the state’s export initiatives” said Jon Isaacs, general manager of Connor Sports.
The award review committee consisted of representatives from the Van Andel Global Trade Center, Comerica Bank, Michigan Farm Bureau and Michigan State University’s International Business Center. For more information on the Ag Exporter of the Year award and to access the 2013 application, please visit the webpage by CLICKING HERE
Govenor Snyder toured Connor Sports where they manufacture northern hard maple flooring. |
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 Simply Suzanne Natural Foods, an all-natural Detroit food company makes granola and trail-mix and has recently entered into a partnership with a distributor resulting in the first shipment of its full line of granola and trail mix products to the Caribbean.
Simply Suzanne Natural Foods owner, Suzanne Vier, expressed her positive experience with the International Marketing Program housed in the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) and what she learned about their companies export potential.
Over the past year Simply Suzanne Natural Foods participated in an international trade mission to Canada focusing on natural and specialty products. Through this participation, Simply Suzanne Natural Foods was able to learn more about the Canadian market including aspects of food retail and international packaging requirements.
Simply Suzanne Natural Foods also exhibited in the Michigan Pavilion at the Americas Food and Beverage Show in Miami where a relationship with a distributor from the Caribbean was formed, resulting in current sales to the Caribbean. Suzanne cites the sweet & savory aspect of her product as the source of its international appeal. “Our product was a natural fit." she said describing the appeal of granola and trail-mix in the Caribbean. Vier explained that not only are her products great for breakfast and the general discerning palate, but also that her product was particularly popular in Caribbean establishments such as hotels and spas who cater to travelers.
In addition to participating in a trade mission and exhibiting at shows, Simply Suzanne Natural Foods is enrolled in Food Export Midwest’s Branded Program and Online Product Catalog. Through the Branded Program up to 50% of Simply Suzanne’s international marketing costs are eligible for reimbursement. Inclusion in the Online Product Catalog lists Simply Suzanne’s granola and trail-mix in an online database accessed by international food buyers.
Guest Column: We are excited to bring you a new series of guest columns offering further insight into the world of international trade. This article was written by Zara Smith, Technology Systems Manager at Michigan Small Business & Technology Development Center.
Many small businesses enter the export market in a reactive manner. An overseas buyer stumbles on information about their product and reaches out, opening the door to a global market of near endless possibilities. A handful of accidental one-time sales however do not equate long-term export success… Establishing a solid presence in an international market requires commitment, a focused plan and follow through.
The Michigan Small Business & Technology Development Center (SBTDC) provides no-cost counseling to business leaders who have recognized the need to lay out an export plan. Through the SBTDC’s export diversification planning process we help businesses address challenges and align resources for the biggest impact. The process focuses on a number of parameters, including internal export resources, distribution channels, key activities, international partners and profitability analysis. The process drives decision making based on profit potential of the different export options and products, and frames the strategy for market penetration.
If you would like to learn more about the SBTDC Export Diversification Planning please contact Zara Smith, SBTDC Technology Systems Manager, at smithlat@gvsu.edu.
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 Thirty five companies and service providers attended the Preparing for Export Success Seminar hosted on August 22 at the Kellogg Hotel in East Lansing, MI. Attendees had the opportunity to learn about export readiness skills, Food Export resources, logistics, phytosanitary certificates, certificates of free sale, the harmonized system and free trade agreements. Pictured above, MDARD Director Jamie Clover Adams welcomed attendees and shared with them the importance of agricultural production and trade for the State of Michigan.
Seminars and webinars are excellent educational resources for companies who are interested in exporting and would like to learn more, or for companies who are already exporting and are looking to expand their international reach. For a complete listing of all Food Export seminars and webinars, please CLICK HERE for more information.
It’s not too early to start planning for 2014! Be sure to save money in your marketing budget by taking advantage of early enrollment in Food Export activities. Early enrollment is a great way to map out a year of exporting opportunities and save money. Also, now is the time to sign up for the Branded Program. Joining the Branded Program is a great way to stretch marketing dollars as up to 50% of export marketing costs can be reimbursed!
2014 Activity Calendar
2014 Branded Program Manual
For 2014 Food Export has create a new webpage devoted to a variety of 2014 exporting opportunities and events, earlier than ever! Check this page weekly for new information on international trade shows, news, Food Export activities and other information to help you be an informed exporter for the 2014 program year.
We’ve launched a Facebook page and we’d like to interact with you! Now, in addition to our twitter account @MiAgExport, the International Marketing Program is on Facebook at www.facebook.com/MiAgExports. Visit our page to get updates on upcoming opportunities, view pictures from previous events and connect with others who are interested in the world of exports. We will also use this platform to share program updates.
Change in Phone Numbers
There has been a change in phone numbers at the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development. Jamie Zmitko-Somers can now be reached at (517) 284-5738, John Kelly at (517) 284-5737 and the intern desk (517) 284-5740.
Specialty Foods Buyers Mission at the Winter Fancy Foods Show
January 18-20, 2014
San Fransisco, CA
CLICK HERE
Focused Trade Mission to Canada for Retail, Food Service and Specialty Products
February 11-13, 2014
Vancouver, Canada
CLICK HERE
Food Show PLUS! at Int'l Food and Beverage Exhibition (FOODEX)
March 3-7, 2014
Tokyo, Japan
CLICK HERE
Follow us on Twitter for valuable insider information about upcoming events, services, export trends, links, and news.
www.twitter.com/MIAgExport
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