Pictured left to right: Allan Powell, President and CEO, Solent Technology; Monica Powell, Vice President, Solent Technology; Congressman Joe Wilson; Jayne Woodward, Sr. International Trade Specialist, and Ann Watts, Director, Columbia U.S. Export Assistance Center

Congressman Joe Wilson, 2nd Congressional District-SC, recently presented the U.S. Commerce Department’s Export Achievement Certificate to Solent Technology located in West Columbia, SC. Mr. Allan Powell, President and CEO, and Mrs. Monica Powell, Vice President, the husband and wife team that owns and operates Solent Technology, accepted the award. The Export Achievement Certificate recognizes companies that are business clients of the Commerce Department’s U.S. Commercial Service, and that have used their services to make their first export sale or open a new foreign market. Solent Technology recently began exporting to Airbus Aircraft Industries in France. To date, total shipments to this new market exceed $200,000.00

Solent Technology is a manufacturer of air filter machines/equipment and a contract pleater of air filter elements. Allan Powell is responsible for developing a unique air filter technology resulting in a computerized pleating machine that has revolutionized the air filter industry. This machine has, in turn, opened up new applications for the “mini-pleat” air filter.

In providing a history of the company, Monica Powell stated, “We started our company 26 years ago in Southampton, England, prompted by the Thatcher-Reagan dynamic ‘can do’ era of the 80s. Life was difficult for a small fledgling company that was long on ideas but short on cash. Three years later we developed and introduced our “Mini Pleat” concept into the filtration industry. As the “new kid on the block,” we proceeded to try and convince filter manufacturers that their conventional wisdom could be improved upon and, indeed, radically changed with our latest technology. We had to show them that there really was another more efficient, faster, and cost effective way of making filters.”

“The rest is history. For us, it’s still hard to believe that the “Mini Pleat” has become the filter industry’s standard. Little did we realize in those days that our innovation would open up new avenues/markets for the filter industry. As the filter packs become smaller and easier to handle, manufacturers can now add them to several new products such as vacuum cleaners, room air conditioners, vehicle filtration systems, just to name a few.”

In 1993, Allan and Monica made the decision to relocate the company to South Carolina. They credit this decision to the visit of an official from the S.C. Department of Commerce (formerly known as the S.C. State Development Board) who encouraged them to consider coming to the state. After researching the situation, the Powells realized the advantages of such a move and relocated to a facility on Old Barnwell Rd. in West Columbia. They currently employ 9 people and strive to maintain a working environment where all employees are considered part of the “family” team.

Today, Solent’s customers include suppliers to the aircraft industry, military, hospitals, pharmaceutical and electronic cleanrooms, and fire/emergency services. Their export markets include countries in Western Europe, South Korea, Mexico, and South America.

Being a small company, Solent Technology has relied on the prompt and efficient assistance of the Columbia U. S. Export Assistance Center on export matters including Harmonized System classification for their products, an introduction to an export packaging company in SC, and referral to APHIS/USDA for information on self-certifying their own packaging. Mrs. Powell stated, “The assistance provided by the Columbia USEAC has greatly facilitated our expansion into new export markets.”

The Columbia U.S. Export Assistance Center is part of the global network of the U.S. Commercial Service, a Commerce Department agency that helps small and medium-sized U.S. businesses sell their products and services globally. The agency's worldwide network includes 105 U.S. Export Assistance Centers throughout the United States and more than 150 international offices. In 2005, the U.S. Commercial Service helped U.S. businesses generate export sales worth more than $23 billion.

For more information on the U.S. Commercial Service, call the U.S. Export Assistance Center in Columbia at 803-765-5345.