Diane Farrell, a member of Ex-Im Bank’s Board of Directors, presented awards to innovative companies that, in partnership with Ex-Im Bank, supported U.S. export and job growth, and economic and infrastructure development in markets around the world.
The winners are:
Wallquest Inc., Wayne, Pa. – Small Business Exporter of the Year.
A user of Ex-Im Bank's working capital loan guarantee since 2008, this family-owned wallpaper designer saw its exports soar 76 percent in 2010 alone, and its workforce grow from 80 to more than 150 people since 2008 at facilities in Pennsylvania, New York and New Jersey.
Planson International Corporation, New Gloucester, Maine. -- Sub-Saharan Africa Exporter of
the Year.
This small, woman-owned tech company used a $1.5 million revolving working capital loan guarantee from Ex-Im Bank to export computers and software to Sudan for use during the historic referendum for Southern Sudan Independence.
Global Business Solutions (GBS), Winston-Salem, N.C. -- Broker of the Year.
This risk-mitigation firm successfully competed in export markets with specialized export credit and political risk insurance products with a focus on small business. GBS has brokered almost 90 Ex-Im Bank policies, 53 in fiscal year 2010 alone.
Ford Motor Company, Dearborn, Mich. -- Deal of the Year.
Ford is using a $250 million Ex-Im Bank-guaranteed working capital line of credit to finance approximately $3.1 billion in sales of over 200,000 vehicles to buyers in Canada and Mexico, supporting thousands of American jobs.
Silicon Valley Bank (SVB), Santa Clara, Calif. -- Small Business Lender of the Year.
SVB helped provide 75 small businesses with Ex-Im Bank-guaranteed working capital loans in 2010 alone, the highest level among all banks participating in Ex-Im's working capital guarantee program.
Gamesa Technology Corp., Langhorne, Pa. -- Renewable-Energy Exporter of the Year.
Gamesa invested over $70 million to convert more than 20 acres at a former U.S. Steel industrial site in Fairless Hills, Pa., into a modern manufacturing center for the production of wind-energy turbines (nacelles) as well as over $80 million at Ebensburg, Pa., to build a new blade manufacturing facility.