American Hardwood Industries of Waynesboro, Virginia, commits to expanding business by developing exports, joins state's two-year Leaders in Export Trade program offering US$15,000 in reimbursement funds

Wendy Lisney

RICHMOND, Virginia , January 28, 2014 (press release) – Two-year export program provides resources to support international business

The Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP) today announced the acceptance of American Hardwood Industries, based in Waynesboro, into its two-year Virginia Leaders in Export Trade (VALET) program. Launched in January 2002, the program assists exporters in the Commonwealth that have firmly established domestic operations and are committed to international exporting as an expansion strategy. Participating firms are chosen based on their dedication to growth through export.

Currently, the VALET program has 50 companies as participants. New participants in the program have access to $15,000 in reimbursement funds from the Commonwealth. The program provides participating companies assistance from a team of experienced international service providers to help meet their international goals. Private sector service providers, such as attorneys, web designers, bankers, translators, accountants and freight forwarders, contribute essential expertise to assist companies in executing their export initiatives.

American Hardwood Industries joins the program as part of the 25th class of the VALET program. To participate, each eligible business must meet several quantitative criteria and complete an application process. To date, 209 Virginia companies have been accepted to participate in the VALET program.

“The VALET program puts participating companies on the fast track to international business growth by connecting them with the necessary tools for successful export sales,” said Paul Grossman, VEDP Vice President of International Trade. “Since its inception in 2002, the program has worked with more than 200 businesses to accelerate their international sales growth. Because of the program’s proven success and because jobs are created when Virginia companies sell more into global markets, it is important that we continue to assist Virginia companies through the program. We are happy to welcome American Hardwood Industries to VALET and look forward to working with them over the course of the next two years.”

American Hardwood Industries is one of the leading hardwood platforms in the American hardwood industry, with fine hardwood lumber, logs and byproducts produced by Augusta, Blue Triangle, Cross Creek and Graham. American Hardwood Industries owns production facilities throughout the eastern USA with capacity of approximately 110 million board feet (or 260,000 cubic metres), and is one of the largest and most diverse manufacturers of sawn hardwood lumber in the USA.
The Virginia Economic Development Partnership, a marketing organization, was created by the Virginia General Assembly in 1995 to encourage, stimulate, and support the development and expansion of the economy of the Commonwealth. The Partnership is a state authority, which is governed by a 24-member Board of Directors appointed by the Governor and the Virginia General Assembly. To accomplish its objectives of promoting economic expansion within the Commonwealth, the Partnership focuses its efforts on business recruitment, expansion and international trade. VEDP has offices in Virginia, China, Germany, Mexico, Japan, India and the United Kingdom.

To learn more about the VALET program, visit www.ExportVirginia.org.

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