Three Colorado Companies Win Prestigious Honor of Governor's Award for Excellence in Exporting
Denver - (May 15, 2017) - Colorado companies Meadowlark Optics, Project C.U.R.E. and VAIREX air systems were announced today as the three winners of the 2017 Governor's Award for Excellence in Exporting for their contributions to the Colorado economy through international trade.
"Meadowlark, Project C.U.R.E. and VAIREX are shining examples of how exporting can help expand businesses, increase profits, and grow Colorado's economy," said Governor John Hickenlooper. "From fuel cells to polarization products to medical supplies, exporting provides access to 95 percent of the world market outside our borders. We are honored to recognize these companies for their commitment and wish them continued success."
Meadowlark Optics (Frederick, Colo.) is an international thought leader in light-based technologies and has an extensive international portfolio, exporting to 30 countries. Meadowlark, established in 1979, supplies a variety of industries with innovative polarization solutions and engineering services. Meadowlark has been a valuable contributor to the infrastructure of the Colorado Photonics Industry (CPIA) since it initially launched in 1997, and has financially sponsored international scientific symposiums and performed worldwide speaking engagements to raise global awareness of the problem-solving solutions that light-based technologies can provide. Exports currently represent over 59 percent of Meadowlark's sales.
Project C.U.R.E. (Centennial, Colo.), the world's largest distributor of donated medical supplies and equipment, exports these products to hospitals and clinics in more than 133 countries around the globe. Project C.U.R.E. has been an industry leader in developing new ways to export medical supplies to resource-limited communities across the globe, including creating an efficient and accurate inventory system, improving supply chain management, and providing expert management of logistics. Exports currently represent over 96 percent of Project C.U.R.E.'s sales.
VAIREX air systems (Boulder, Colo.), an international technical leader in fuel cell air systems, manufactures advanced air blower systems based on the company's patented breakthrough technology. VAIREX is focused on blowers for fuel cells in the 1-30 kW power range, which represent over 90% of all the fuel cells sold in the world today. Currently, VAIREX exports to customers in 17 countries in the Americas, Europe and Asia and exports represent 56 percent of VAIREX's sales. The company is poised for the rapidly growing global fuel cell industry.
The Governor's Award for Excellence in Exporting was first given in 1970 and recognizes economic growth through international business. Winners will be formally recognized tomorrow at World Trade Day, the region's premier international trade event. This year's World Trade Day theme is Containers to the Cloud: Trade as Goods, Services & Knowledge.
Awardees will receive $500 worth of consulting services through the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade's (OEDIT) Global Consultant Network. The program connects qualifying Colorado companies to global opportunities and market education.
Colorado exported $7.5 billion in products in 2016, and an estimated $14 billion in services. The Excellence in Exporting Award recognizes this contribution to the state's economy by highlighting noteworthy accomplishments by Colorado exporters. More information about OEDIT's export grant programs can be found here.