WEST FARGO, N.D. - During a North Dakota Trade Office seminar, "Exporting to China: Opportunities for North Dakota" on September 15, 2004, Lt. Governor Jack Dalrymple, who chairs the trade office advisory committee, and Sean King, the U. S. Commercial Service Special Assistant for China, presented an Export Achievement award to Arrow-Tech Incorporated. Ron Disrud, an engineer and the head of sales, accepted on behalf of the Rolla-based firm which manufactures and sells radiation detection devices, called dosimeters which are used in the medical field as well as the expanding homeland security market.

The Export Achievement Certificate was created by the U. S. Commercial Service, a part of the Department of Commerce, to recognize small and medium-sized business that successfully enter the international marketplace for the first time or successfully enter a new market.

The trade mission Disrud participated in last March was organized by Governor John Hoeven's office and the North Dakota Trade Office in response to an invitation from Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO). Eleven North Dakota companies, selected for their potential to do business in Taiwan and Japan, made this trip. A trade mission is an effective way to increase exports expeditiously given government assistance to surmount trade barriers. There is also the ability to save time and money through the use of group and government rates when traveling on a trade mission.

"Our trip to Taiwan and Japan earlier this year opened multiple doors for North Dakota manufacturers and agriculture producers", Dalrymple said. "We're seeking to expand North Dakota's economy in as broad a market as we can."

Before he left on the Trade Mission, Mr. Disrud worked with the state's Trade Office and the U.S. Commercial Service. He was encouraged to use the Gold Key Matchmaking Service, which helps businesses assess market opportunities and meet potential importers. Due to the coordinated efforts of the North Dakota Trade Office and U.S. Commercial Service offices in Minneapolis and Taipei, he had appointments with three Taiwanese companies scheduled before he left Rolla.

Arrow-Tech started exporting directly to Taiwan after returning from Taiwan and Japan. Disrud sold product to individuals he met through the Gold Key Matchmaking Service conducted in Taipei; he received four additional orders from others as a result of that trip.

"Asia is one of those places difficult to describe and understand until you've actually experienced it," he said. "After being in Taiwan and Japan, I'm fascinated. It's a very comfortable place to be!"

For more information about Arrow-Tech visit their website at http://www.arrowtechinc.com

To find out more about the Gold Key Matchmaking Service and other marketing programs or research we provide, please click here.

* Excerpted from a recent announcement