Massachusetts Alliance for International Business Honors Trade Leadership
2008 award-winners include Aspect Medical Systems of Norwood, Fabrico Inc. of Oxford, and Hardigg Industries of South Deerfield
The Massachusetts Alliance for International Business (MAIB), an affiliate of Associated Industries of Massachusetts (AIM), announced its 2008 International Trade Achievement Award honorees. The awards, in their 13th year, recognize Massachusetts firms, institutions, public agencies, or individuals who have demonstrated creativity and leadership in their international trade-related activities – fueling their success as well as contributing to the statewide economy.
"Massachusetts companies have increased exports significantly in recent years, reaching more diverse markets with products and services that represent an impressive range of industries," commented Martin Walter, Chairman of the Board for MAIB. "This year’s award-winners are truly global thinkers and have demonstrated their commitment to increasing their international business with a variety of approaches – initiating a new export management system (Aspect Medical Systems), opening a new European facility to speed distribution (Hardigg Industries), and formulating a new overseas partnership to expand their manufacturing capabilities (Fabrico). There is much to be learned from these companies’ success."
MAIB honored the following companies at the Associated Industries of Massachusetts’ (AIM) annual meeting on Friday, May 9.
Global Award: Aspect Medical Systems, Norwood Aspect Medical Systems is a worldwide leader in the manufacturing and distribution of the BIS® brain-monitoring system, which enables clinicians to assess and manage a patient’s level of consciousness in the operating room and administer the precise amount of anesthesia needed. All of Aspect’s products are manufactured in a new facility in Norwood. Aspect’s BIS® technology is available in more than 160 countries worldwide and has been used to assess approximately 26 million patients. The company’s 2007 international revenue increased 18% over 2006.
Ambassador’s Award: Fabrico Inc., Oxford Fabrico manufactures precision components from expensive alloys. These components are used wherever there is high heat or corrosive material, in industries that include aerospace, computer, chemical, food processing, marine, medical, and semiconductor manufacturing. Most of Fabrico’s components are found in large, land-based gas turbines that generate clean electricity around the globe. Fabrico recently formed a joint venture with a Singapore-based company to service the growing solar cell manufacturing market. Nearly half of Fabrico’s annual sales are from exports. In the past two years, Fabrico’s revenues have increased nearly 40%, with much of the increase attributable to export growth.
Chairman’s Award: Hardigg Industries, South Deerfield Hardigg Industries manufactures rotationally and injection-molded rugged containers for transporting sensitive equipment. With over 500 employees in South Deerfield, the company has been exporting for nearly 40 years. Hardigg’s export customers are in the aerospace, defense, and industrial sectors, and NATO members are major clients. The company has set up distribution and sales facilities in France, the UK, and Canada, and developed a proprietary system to save on international shipping costs. Hardigg sells its products in 74 countries and exporting is one of its top five core strategies. Hardigg’s international revenue grew more than 50% from 2006 to 2007.
Since 1996, more than 50 Massachusetts companies, ranging from firms that are household names, such as Raytheon and State Street, to smaller firms including Health Enterprises of North Attleboro, Heinrich Ceramic Decal of Worcester, and BTU International of Billerica, have been recognized by the MAIB International Trade Achievement awards. In addition, nonprofit organizations such as the University of Massachusetts-Boston and the Massachusetts Export Center have also been recognized for their contributions.
About Massachusetts Alliance for International Business (MAIB)
The Massachusetts Alliance for International Business was created by Associated Industries of Massachusetts (AIM) to help Massachusetts businesses identify and profit from opportunities in the global economy. Through seminars, referrals, on-line news bulletins, and export trend reports, MAIB provides companies with the resources they need for successful international trade. For further information about MAIB and the International Trade Achievement Awards, visit www.aimnet.org/maib.
About Associated Industries of Massachusetts (A.I.M.) Established in 1915, Associated Industries of Massachusetts is the largest nonprofit, nonpartisan association of Massachusetts employers. With 7,000 member companies employing 680,000 people in Mass., AIM’s mission is to promote the well-being and prosperity of the Commonwealth by improving the State’s economic climate, proactively advocating fair and equitable public policy, and providing relevant, reliable information and excellent services. For further information about Associated Industries of Massachusetts, visit www.aimnet.org.
