Gov. Mike Beebe on Thursday presented five Arkansas companies with an award that recognizes “leadership in exporting goods and services throughout the world,” the state Economic Development Commission said.
The Excellence in Global Trade Awards are based on factors such as percentage of export sales to total sales; international goals and commitments; and growth of export sales in the past three years, among others, the commission said.
The following businesses were honored Thursday:
• Russellville-based parking-meter maker POM Inc. took the Arkansas Rising Star award.
• Springdale-based Harris International, maker of Evapo-Rust Super Safe Rust Removal, won the global sustainability award.
• North Little Rock’s SweepScrub.com, an online wholesale seller of used and refurbished commercial cleaning equipment, won the small manufacturer award.
• Jacksonville-based Triangle Engineering of Arkansas, a maker of heavy-duty fans, won among medium-sized manufacturers.
• Newport-based Arkansas Steel Associates, a maker of railroad tie plates, won the large-manufacturer award.
“For Arkansas’ economic growth to continue, our homegrown businesses must embrace international trade,” Beebe said in a statement. “These companies prove that businesses large and small can succeed in the global marketplace with innovative products and a sound business plan.”
Arkansas companies exported a total of $7.2 billion worth of merchandise in 2013, the commission said.
The award program, which is in its fifth year, is co-sponsored by the Arkansas District Export Council, Arkansas Economic Development Commission, U.S. Commercial Service and the Arkansas World Trade Center.