It may not really feel like it thanks to Covid-19, but it is the end of the year, and that means award announcements. On Thursday, the Georgia Department of Economic Development and its International Trade division announced its winners for the 2020 GLOBE Awards. The awards highlight companies in Georgia that expanded into new international markets over the past year (and what a year to be expanding markets). This year’s GLOBE winners are based in 17 different counties entered 75 new international markets.
“Success in global markets takes commitment and hard work. Our Georgia made products and services are making a mark around the world,” said Georgia Governor Brian P. Kemp. “We’re proud to celebrate these companies for their contributions to a thriving Georgia economy through exports.”
Most of the winners are classified as small businesses, with 84% employing fewer than 100 people and 52% of them employing fewer than 20. These businesses are all provided with assistance from the International Trade division, making international connections and giving insight into possible markets. The division has permanent representation in 12 different countries: Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Europe, Israel, Japan, Korea, Mexico, Peru, and the United Kingdom/Ireland.
“We are excited to celebrate our 31 GLOBE Award winners. The strong international framework our trade team and our Georgia exporters have established over the past several years has kept Georgia on a solid trajectory, despite disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Georgia Department of Economic Development Commissioner Pat Wilson. “From aerospace manufacturing to agriculture, nearly every sector of our economy is represented among our awardees, proving how exporting and the state’s strong international partnerships help strengthen Georgia’s economic vitality.”
Additionally, four companies were as 2020 Exporters of the Year – and they are vastly different companies. Nearly every year, the state sets new records for exports, with $41.2 billion in exports to 214 countries (did you even know there were that many countries?) last year.
The 2020 Exporters of the Year are:
- Exporter of the Year, small company: Poriferous, LLC, Newnan. Poriferous specializes in the porous polyethylene surgical implants used in rhinoplasties and facial aesthetic surgeries.
- Exporter of the Year, mid-size company: Sunnyland Farms, Inc., Albany. Sunnyland delivers gourmet nuts, candies and confections directly to consumers, as well as supplying pecans wholesale.
- Exporter of the Year, mid-size company: Vital4, Marietta. Vital4 is a data company working to prevent bribery, corruption, terrorism, money laundering and other security risks.
- Exporter of the Year, large company: Zcorum, Alpharetta. ZCorum provides software tools and management services such as engineering and customer support to cable, telephone, fiber and wireless companies globally.
“Our entire International Trade team looks forward to celebrating our GLOBE Award winners every year,” said Georgia Department of Economic Development Deputy Commissioner for International Trade Mary Waters. “I’m very proud not only of our winners’ exceptional international achievements, but also of the guidance and tailored information our trade team has been able to equip them with every step of the way.”
