MISSOURI ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGY COMPANY IS EX-IM BANK SMALL BUSINESS EXPORTER OF THE YEAR
Environmental Dynamics Inc. (EDI) of Columbia, MO, a manufacturer of advanced water and wastewater treatment technologies, has been chosen to receive the 2001 Small Business Exporter of the Year award from the Export-Import Bank of the United States (Ex-Im Bank). EDI will be honored at an awards ceremony at Ex-Im Bank's Annual Conference to held at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel in Washington, D.C., April 4-5.
From its establishment in 1975 until 1997, EDI's sales were mainly domestic. Since EDI began using Ex-Im Bank's export credit insurance in 1997, EDI has expanded into new foreign markets and increased its workforce from 38 to 63 employees. Last year, the central Missouri firm increased foreign sales more than 200%, added 20 people to its workforce, and helped create more than 15 new jobs at local small business vendors. EDI has established sales and distribution networks in more than 30 countries and has installed equipment in more than 3,000 industrial and municipal wastewater treatment systems world-wide. The company sees continued growth opportunities and is planning to hire additional employees to expand marketing further in Asia and Latin America.
Environmental Dynamics is an outstanding example of how a small enterprise can successfully contribute to the U.S. export effort and U.S. job creation through the use of Ex-Im Bank programs, said Ex-Im Bank Chairman James A. Harmon. Ex-Im Bank aggressively supports environmentally beneficial exports that contribute to sustainable development in emerging markets around the world.
Ex-Im Bank insurance enables EDI to offer competitive credit terms to a larger customer base while minimizing foreign risk, said EDI President Charles E. Tharp. Our increased sales and employment demonstrate the effectiveness of the Ex-Im Bank program.
Ex-Im Bank is an independent U.S. government agency that helps finance the export of U.S. goods and services to emerging markets throughout the world by providing loans, loan guarantees, and export credit insurance. During fiscal year 2000, Ex-Im Bank supported $15.5 billion in U.S. exports.