International trade growing trend in Alabama

FLORENCE - Experts in the field of international trade say there are opportunities for Alabama businesses of all sizes to export goods to foreign markets.

Alabama was ranked the fourth fastest-growing exporter of goods in the United States in 2006, according to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and state trade experts continue to try to get the word out.

Business owners, government leaders and those involved in economic development attended a trade education and development initiative Thursday at the Shoals Center for Business and Economic Development. Representatives with the North Alabama International Trade Association were on hand to teach those in attendance about export possibilities.

Robert Stackpole, international trade specialist with the Alabama International Trade Center at the University of Alabama, said large firms are the majority of the trade volume in Alabama, but smaller businesses are stepping on board as well.

"Trade is good, trade is growing and we need to do more to increase trade," Stackpole said. "Small firms are getting involved like never before."

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce TradeRoots program reported that more than 75 percent of the nearly 3,000 Alabama businesses that sell their products overseas are small and medium-sized companies.

"I'm a huge proponent of trade because it works," Stackpole said. "I've seen hundreds of small companies do it and it works for them."

Oftentimes, small Alabama businesses don't know their trade options or where to begin, Stackpole said.

"More businesses could export," he said. "The U.S. government has really tried to promote exports by making it as easy as possible."

The Export Alabama Trade Alliance was formed in 2004 and is composed of several state organizations, including the Alabama International Trade Center, the Alabama Development Office, and the North Alabama International Trade Association.

Hilda Lockhart, director of the international trade division of the Alabama Development Office, said the Export Alabama project attempts to continually get the word out about trade.

"We've been able to increase the visibility of trade and let people know it's good," Lockhart said. "What we want to do is find a company and help them be successful in the overseas market."

Lockhart said the alliance meets with companies one on one, discussing their goals to see if their product fits into an overseas market and helps them find ways to export their product to that market if one is found.

Susie Heird, assistant director with the Shoals Economic Development Authority, said helping businesses discover ways to trade is important.

"We want to get more people involved in exporting, and you'll see that in SEDA's action plan in the coming year," Heird said.

Part of the impact of trade on Alabama means creating jobs and helping the economy, she said.

The majority of trade within the state involves developed, industrialized countries, Stackpole said. U.S. products are going to or coming from countries like Germany, Canada, Mexico, Japan, China and the United Kingdom.

Sha Kelly, export manager with Axion Automotive in Florence, said her company already exports to Europe, the Middle East, Central and South America, the Caribbean and Asia. Kelly said the trade meeting helped her learn that she could actually export her products from Alabama.

"We do so much through Miami because of where we export to, but I'd like to export from Mobile because it would cut our shipping time, it would be more accessible, and we'd be supporting the state," Kelly said.

Total exports for Alabama in 2006 were $13.8 billion, creating more than 150,000 jobs, according to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

Stackpole said it is going to continue to be important to support existing industry in the state and encourage and educate companies about trade.

"We don't focus enough on existing industry," he said. "You have companies here already who are needing support and need to be taught how to export."

TimesDaily Staff Writer Kenda Williams can be reached at 740-5720 or kenda.williams@timesdaily.com.