Governor Ted Strickland recognized 31 Ohio businesses for outstanding contributions to exporting, with the 2007 Governor’s Excellence in Exporting Award at an awards ceremony July 18 at the statehouse Atrium.
Since 1985 the "E" Awards program has recognized companies and organizations of all sizes that have demonstrated outstanding performance in exporting or heightened awareness of exporting as a vital component of the State's economy.
"Our mission is to strengthen Ohio's economic force not only in the United States but in foreign markets," said Lt. Governor Fisher, who also serves as the Director of the Ohio Department of Development (ODOD). "The constantly changing landscape of our modern business climate needs leaders who are not afraid to roll with the changes, and then create change of their own, and we've found those leaders in our "E" Awards winners today."
Venture Products, Inc. is located in Orrville, and designs, manufactures, and markets the Ventrac product line of equipment to the turf and landscape industry. Applications vary with the versatility of Ventrac, which may include markets such as landscapers, municipalities, universities, golf courses, estate owners, shopping complexes, airports, homeowners and many more. During the past three years, export sales have increased yearly at a rate of 32 percent. Export sales are currently 24 percent of Venture Products, Inc. total business and most recent countries partnering with Ventrac are Japan and South Africa.
Ohio is the eight-largest exporting state and is the only state with exports that have increased every year since 1998. In 2006, Ohio companies exported $37.8 billion in goods, an increase of 8.7 percent over 2005.