State's export business growing

It took Hoot Haddock 25 years to develop a product that he believed would help people worldwide.

Today, his prefabricated buildings are being sold in numerous countries.

He is constantly hosting delegations from abroad who are interested in his Thermasave structural insulated panel building system.

"We are the only one with this kind of product with International Code Council approval," Haddock said proudly. "I'm afraid to say how many companies have been here and sat down and talked to us."

Haddock, of Florence, said he is continuing to break into new markets.

"I'm closing a deal with Brazil, Ukraine and Saudi Arabia," Haddock said. He's also done business with Mexico, Turkey, the Dominican Republic and Tanzania.

What Haddock is doing is exactly what Gov. Bob Riley is encouraging in his 2008 trade strategy.

"Alabama's economy has witnessed a lot of great success during the past few years," Riley said. "One of our greatest successes is the remarkable growth of our exports. This has resulted in more jobs, increased revenue and a more diverse market for Alabama products. Our trade strategy is working, and we will continue to adapt it and build on our success so that every company that wants to trade overseas has the opportunity to do so."

According to the governor's office, growth in exports from Alabama companies has increased nearly 60 percent during the past few years and totals more than $14 billion.

More than 3,000 companies in the state sell their products and services in overseas markets.

In 2007, exports from Alabama were sold in 188 countries.

Heath Cosgrove, an international trade specialist with the Alabama Development Office, said the governor's goals are being reached through a seamless network of Alabama specialists in overseas trade that assist industries and service providers in promoting foreign trade.

The Export Alabama Alliance works in conjunction with ADO and 10 other local governments and nonprofit agencies. Their mission is to provide a variety of services to companies that want to do business overseas.

Some of the goals of the governor's trade strategy is to create new and better paying jobs, gain new market access for Alabama products, increase the number of exporting companies, educate and train companies to be global players, create a business-friendly export environment, provide additional outside resources to assist small businesses and gain international and national recognition as a global player.

Cosgrove said ADO can help businesses with overseas marketing solutions and customized, industry-specific searches of foreign markets. They can also help businesses by referring them to institutions that specialize in international export financing.

Cosgrove said 80 percent of businesses exporting Alabama-made products were small and medium companies that employed 500 people or less.

"More than 100,000 jobs across the state are directly linked to (overseas) trade," he said.

Amanda Burkey, who works with the North Alabama International Trade Association, said the association conducts free "trade education tours" across the region to help educate businesses about exporting their products.

NAITA is a member of the Export Alabama Alliance, Burkey said.

She said NAITA can provide counseling and conducts educational seminars on the mechanics of exporting. If they cannot help a business in a specific area, they will put that person in touch with someone who can.

Giles McDaniel, executive director of the Shoals Entrepreneurial Center, said he has talked with several clients about exporting their products.

"I've visited with several people at the culinary center," he said. "Exporting food can be done, but it's tricky business."

McDaniel said Haddock is taking advantage of business from many developing countries.

"We've gotten a lot of attention all over the world," Haddock said. "I'm talking to countries I didn't even know existed."

Export Alabama is actually a strategy launched by Riley in 2004 as an effort to expand access for Alabama goods in foreign markets where demand is growing. At the governor's direction, the plan is updated each year to identify new and expanding trade opportunities for Alabama. This year, the plan is focusing on small and medium businesses.

As part of the effort, the governor, the ADO, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the Export Alabama Trade Alliance have led several trade missions overseas and conducted seminars across the state to educate Alabama businesses on export opportunities that could improve their ability to compete in the global marketplace.

This year, the governor will lead trade and business development missions to China and South America, as well as host business delegations from Central America, Vietnam and China.

Cosgrove said Riley is en route to China to promote trade with Alabama businesses along with 57 other delegates from the state.

The state's export strategy also will focus on South Africa and Turkey, two growing markets with great potential for Alabama products.

The 2008 strategy will include a series of seminars across the state for Alabama businesses interested in exporting and building closer commercial ties to foreign markets.

"The goal is to illustrate Alabama as a world class business center," Cosgrove said.

Russ Corey can be reached at 740-5738 or russ.corey@timesdaily.com.