Rural Successes

The Write Way to Export Ventris Learning of Sun Prairie, Wisconsin produces culturally and linguistically responsive teaching resources. After hearing about a new market research service, Robert Meyer met with the Rural Export Center and the U.S. Commercial Service (Wisconsin) to discuss market research assistance. After polling Commercial Specialists in six countries, Ventris Learning chose three countries for in-depth research.
Czech Out Element 119’s Success Located in Thomaston, CT, Element 119 makes System X, professional ceramic paint coating products. After working with the U.S. Commercial Service in Connecticut and going through the Rural Export Center’s RAISE program, Element 119 made its first sale in the Czech Republic.
RDO Equipment Finds Fertile Ground in Chile RDO Equipment Company, established in 1968, is a world-leading North Dakota-based dealer of John Deere tractors and machinery. A recent engagement with the U.S. Commercial Service in North Dakota led to a discussion of opportunities in South America, which eventually led to an export sale to Chile.
Great Plains Pumps Up the Jam in Germany Great Plains, a Wichita, Kansas company, approached the Rural Export Center about pursuing market research to forward their export plan. After receiving the research results, they saw a chance to pursue a new opportunity with an old partner.
New Mexico Company Hits the Mark A cross-country sales effort led to sales for a company in New Mexico. Originating in Montana, a trade lead eventually made its way to Red Mountain Arsenal in Roswell, New Mexico.
Tackling Complexity with Focus Adsorptech’s approached the Rural Export Center for customized market research following participation in a webinar on export distributor agreements. With a complex, technical product, they worked closely with the Rural Export Center to determine what their focused research report would include. The focused approach yielded a distribution partner that was included in the original RAISE report.
Heritage Tractor is Not Just in Kansas Anymore Heritage Tractor developed a relationship with their local US Commercial Service office this past year. As they explained their needs to their local office, they determined that Heritage was a great fit for customized market research with the Rural Export Center. It didn’t take long before the research yielded sales for the agricultural equipment company.
Swanson Health Products Brings Vigor to Latin America Located in Fargo, North Dakota, vitamin company Swanson Health Products recently found themselves with an interesting predicament: in targeting the continent of Latin America for expansion, there was more demand than they were able to supply. Swanson confronted this challenge by using RAISE in-depth market research from the Rural Export Center to help guide their decision.
PRx Performance Powers Up Exports to Canada A Fargo, North Dakota, squat rack manufacturer found a need for their product by looking north. PRx Performance conducted a RAISE market research matrix and report through the Rural Export Center to narrow down where they would find the most international success.
Sea Foam Drives Success Overseas Sea Foam Motor Treatment is a well-known fuel additive for cars, trucks, boats, lawnmowers, etc. Sea Foam International participated in ExporTech in 2016 and decided to take its export strategy with the US Commercial Service and RAISE a few steps further.
Spectrum Aeromed Takes Off in Brazil Spectrum Aeromed is an air ambulance company based in Fargo, ND. In 2017, they used the services of RAISE (Rural America’s Intelligence Service for Exporters) to increase their exports. After a bit of strategy and patience, the research paid off as they were able to make a sale in Brazil.
WCCO Belting “Makes Hay” at Agritechnica and Exports WCCO Belting is a Wahpeton-based manufacturer of custom rubber belting used in agriculture, construction, industrial, and recycling machinery. In 2019, WCCO Belting leveraged multiple programs of the U.S. Commercial Service, including exhibiting in a booth within the USA Pavilion at Agritechnica, the world’s largest ag machinery show); and using the in-depth research services of the Rural Intel Service (RAISE) to speed product development and marketing planning.
Weather Mod Identifies Potential Markets with RAISE Research When you have a world of choices, it’s helpful to narrow things down. That’s why Weather Modification International (WMI) sought out the U.S. Commercial Service / ND office’s RAISE research program. The research provides a worldwide market comparison scan, in-country connections, and industry insights.
RDO Heads South For the Winter RDO Equipment, based in Fargo, North Dakota, operates dealerships and farming operations across the Midwest and into western United States. RDO is the world’s largest dealer of John Deere agricultural machinery. With a large inventory of used equipment, RDO’s international business team wanted to identify a market for machinery in Latin America, a region where they saw opportunities but hadn’t had many previous sales. They also wanted to identify top potential export markets for refurbished construction machinery, as their previous export experience was primarily with ag machinery.
Research Leads to Agritechnica, New Sales for Mattracks Mattracks, rubber track manufacturer based in Karlstad, Minnesota, participated in a number of different US Commercial Service programs that recently led to new international partners and sales. Through market research, the company was able to nail down Germany as a potential top market, leading to the USA Pavilion at Agritechnica, the largest ag trade show in the world.
Fargo-based Drone Company Botlink Lands Business in Brazil Fargo-based startup Botlink LLC has signed partnerships with three Brazilian commercial unmanned aerial system (UAVs) companies, including a UAV manufacturer, a drone flying company, and an engineering company. Using in-depth market research from the U.S. Commercial Service in Fargo and Brazil enabled efficient market entry for Botlink.
Palmer Bit Company Drills Down and Finds Export Gold Palmer Bit Co. in Williston, North Dakota, manufactures drill bits for geothermal, geotechnical, water well, seismic, and mining drilling purposes. The company has made a few international sales over the years, but in late 2015 company owner Kevin Christensen decided to get more proactive about exporting and enrolled in ExporTech.