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Springfield
business nets big return from state trade mission
“I really wouldn’t have been
interested in going. I would have normally said, ‘It’s a government thing, and
I don’t need it.’ But I saw value in this now, and would certainly entertain it
in the future.”
Those
were the words of Garry Froese, owner of Springfield-based business ArmorThane
USA Inc., in regards to a recent state trade mission to South America. Although
initially reluctant, after a 20 percent drop in revenue in 2015, Froese agreed
to participate in a February 2016 trade mission to Peru and Colombia with top state officials and five other Missouri-based firms.
 The
results for this eight-employee Springfield manufacturer were substantial, with
Froese returning from the trip with three new clients and $700,000 in
anticipated sales. The State of Missouri also signed a $300 million bi-lateral trade agreement with Peru, as well as a $750 million bi-lateral trade agreement with Colombia during the mission.
With the
success of his recent trip, Froese has changed his tune in regards to
state-sponsored trade missions, and now recommends other small business owners
take advantage of these resources. “The first step is to be bold or brave enough to go out and meet.
Getting inquiries is one thing,” he said. “But then after, you have to go out
and present yourself to them. Don’t be afraid of it. Exports are easy, and
there are agencies – both government and private – that can help.”
For
more on Froese’s trade mission experience, please click
here for the full story from the Springfield Business Journal.
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