Congressman John Spratt (D-SC) Honors Four Local Companies for Export Achievements

On Tuesday, August 23, 2005, Congressman John Spratt (D-SC) presented the U.S. Commerce Department’s Export Achievement Award to Caromex International of Fort Mill, Custom Ingredients of Chester, Pattern Paving Company of Fort Mill, and Terex Light Construction of Rock Hill. The award recognizes small and medium-sized companies that have benefited from U.S. Commercial Service export assistance to make their first export sale or open new foreign markets.

“Most of the jobs in America are created by small businesses,” Congressman Spratt said. “Small and medium-sized companies like these comprise almost 97 percent of U.S. exporters. When S.C. firms increase their exports, it helps generate higher-paying jobs for the working people of our state. I commend these companies for their commitment to exporting.”

• Caromex International is an export intermediary for several lines of products, one of which is a line of waxes used in the manufacture of candles, PVC pipe, etc. The company has taken advantage of export seminars conducted by the Columbia U.S. Export Assistance Center to train staff on the mechanics of exporting. The company recently completed its first sale to Italy.
• Custom Ingredients is a producer of chemicals used in the manufacture of costmetics and has recently entered the Canadian market. The Columbia U.S. Export Assistance Center provided counseling on NAFTA eligibility and documentation requirements for this sale.
• Pattern Paving Company manufactures a decorative concrete and coating product. Counseling provided by the Columbia U.S. Export Assistance Center facilitated their first export shipment to Germany.
• Terex Light Construction manufactures portable lighting towers that are used in various applications including construction projects and the mining industry. Export market reports and a videoconference conducted by the Columbia U.S. Export Assistance Center with the U.S. Commercial Service post in Santiago, Chile, helped the company research their potential in that market. Terex recently completed its first shipment to Chile.

Pictured left to right are Gerry Oliver, President, Pattern Paving Company; Steve Hueser, General Manager, Terex Light Construction; Congressman John Spratt; Jose Montes, General Manager, Caromex International; Kirk Clark, President, Custom Ingredient.