Export training offered to Montana businesses

ExporTech, a nationally-recognized program that helps small and mid-sized manufacturers take advantage of growth opportunities in global markets, is coming to Montana in April.

Montana companies interested in doing business overseas are encouraged to register for the remaining spots available in this program that gives hands-on training in developing export plans.

ExporTech is the only national program that helps companies develop an export plan. The nine-week program consists of three sessions for no more than eight companies each session. Companies receive group workshops in addition to individual coaching with the aim of developing an export plan ready for implementation by the end of the course.

ExporTech will also help manufacturers magnify the benefits of other export programs they may be involved in and help them get the most out of tradeshows, visits to other countries and trade missions..

On average, participating companies have generated $770,000 in new export sales in the first year, according to data collected by the National Institute of Standards and Technology.

This program, which begins  April 13, is offered by Montana State University’s Montana Manufacturing Extension Center, part of the national Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership of the National Institute of Standards and Technology. The program is offered in partnership with the U.S. Commercial Service, FedEx, the Small Business Administration, the Montana Department of Commerce and the Montana Chamber of Commerce.

Registration for ExporTech is now open, but space is limited.

Flathead Valley Community College in Kalispell will host the three full-day workshop sessions, which will take place on April 13, May 12 and June 14. Registration for the program is $2,500 per company, which allows a company to send three executives to each workshop. Between workshops, companies are paired with an individual coach to help them develop an export plan.

For more information, interested company representatives may contact Jenni West, associate director of MSU’s Montana Manufacturing Extension Center, at (406) 994-3876 or jennifer.west8@montana.edu. To learn more about ExporTech, visit: www.nist.gov/exportech.