Training

Selling overseas can seem out of reach and complicated. We make exporting easier by working directly with your staff to learn export procedures, minimize risks, and incorporate export tools into your normal business operations. Thanks to support from the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) and the Southern United States Trade Association (SUSTA) training is offered both on-location at your business and is also widely available at workshops around the state.

A limited number of companies qualify for the Center's flagship Targeted Export Assistance and Management (TEAM) Training Program, an intensive program which has created over $ 24 million in new export sales since its start in 1996. We bring our team of experts to your door and work closely with your employees over an extended period of time to learn key export skills. Training can be combined with AITC research and finance services to help firms enter one foreign market and start selling.

Three North Alabama small businesses were recognized for their outstanding achievements in exporting, thanks in part to help from the export training program.

Imaging Business Machines of Birmingham, Alabama, producer of high-speed document scanners used by airlines and government agencies, received the U.S. Small Business Administration's "Exporter of the Year Award" for FY 2002 for the Southern U.S. Region. Sales have climbed from $7 million in 1998 to $20 million in 2001. It's equipment is now in Germany, Sweden, Canada, and readily used by the U.S. passport agency.

Material Storage Systems, Inc. of Gadsden and Advanced Technology Products, Inc. of Albertville have tapped new markets with the help of the ARC program. They recently received the U.S. Commercial Service's " Export Achievement Award" for 2002 for their efforts as small businesses to open new markets. MSSI produces storage systems for the feed industry and ATP produces feed additives for the poultry industry which help with control of Salmonella, E. coli and other pathogens.

To find out if your company qualifies for the TEAM program, please call 800-747-2482.