14 Valley companies honored for growth

By Grace Wyler

gwyler@vindy.com

BOARDMAN

In the face of the nation’s growing trade deficit, Ohio must maintain its export advantages and extend its reach into increasingly competitive global markets, a state development official said Thursday.

Addressing local business leaders at the annual Mahoning Valley Growth Awards breakfast, Scott Kuehn, assistant director for the Ohio Department of Development’s Global Markets division, urged companies to explore aggressively global-expansion strategies.

Ohio, the only U.S. state to see annual export growth from 1999 to 2009, remains one of country’s biggest exporters, Kuehn said. Exports have rebounded since dropping off last year, Kuehn added, jumping almost 30 percent to $20.2 billion between June 2009 and June 2010.

Still, Ohio imports much more than it sends out. But opportunities abound for the state’s companies to start to close its $4.6 billion trade deficit, Kuehn said.

The potential for export growth in emerging markets such as China, India and Brazil, is significant, he said, adding that the clean-technology, advanced-energy and transportation sectors are particularly ripe for companies looking to expand globally.

“There is a huge number of companies here who are capable of getting into these industries,” Kuehn said. “We are here to help companies expand into these other markets.”

The Mahoning Valley has started to form a number of relationships overseas, said Tom Humphries, president of the Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber, which hosted Thursday’s event. Humphries pointed to V&M Star’s $650 million investment in Youngstown and the Chamber’s recent trips to China and Israel as examples of the region’s increased international connections.

“The opportunities are endless,” he said. “But we have to engage to play in that field.”

At least one Valley company accelerated its export growth last year. Turning Technologies, the largest software company on downtown Youngstown’s growing tech block, was recognized with the chamber’s Globe Award, which honors the Valley company that saw the largest increase in exports. Turning also was awarded for having the highest increase in sales among companies with more than 100 employees.

Turning, which specializes in audience-response software, has increased its focus on global sales, said vice president Tina Rooks. The company’s first international office, which opened in Amsterdam in August, has had significant success, she added.

In addition to Turning, the chamber recognized 13 local companies for sales achievements, hiring increases and human- resource development.