Wisconsin Celebrates Export Excellence: Governor’s Awards Honor Top Performers

Globaltraded.com , Winconsin — Three Wisconsin companies and one industry organization have been honored with the 2023 Governor’s Export Achievement Awards, recognizing their exceptional efforts in expanding their competence and influence in international markets. These awards were presented following the Wisconsin Economic Summit in Appleton in late October, spotlighting the MacDonald & Owen Lumber Company, the Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin, S3 AeroDefense, and the Badger Technology Group.

Missy Hughes, WEDC secretary and CEO, emphasized the significance of exporting for Wisconsin businesses. “For our businesses willing to take on the adventure of exporting, it is incredibly important,” she said. “While it’s excellent for your businesses, it’s also excellent for the Wisconsin economy.” Wisconsin’s exports for 2023 through August totaled $18.4 billion, surpassing the previous year’s total for the same period by $227.8 million, marking a 1.5% increase.

Among the award winners, Badger Technology Group and S3 AeroDefense operate in the aerospace sector, which was notably ranked seventh among state export categories in 2022. Katy Sinnott, WEDC’s vice president of global trade and investment, highlighted the support provided to Wisconsin companies exploring international markets. “The global trade and investment team at WEDC offers multiple programs and resources to assist Wisconsin companies, both new-to-export and experienced exporters, to explore the many opportunities that international markets represent,” she said.

The awards celebrate businesses and organizations that achieved significant growth or employed innovative strategies in exporting. Here’s a closer look at this year’s winners.

Badger Technology Group: A Soaring Success

Based in Port Washington and founded in 2016, Badger Technology Group began as a consulting firm for U.S. companies in the aerospace industry. It transitioned into software and hardware integration, engineering development, and production. In 2020, the company acquired a Florida aviation simulation manufacturer, expanding its product line. Badger Technology Group has since exported to seven nations and has ongoing proposals to enter markets in 13 other countries.

Over the past three years, Badger Technology Group has grown from 10 employees to 39, with a 400% increase in sales, 86% of which come from international customers. In 2022, the company received a WEDC International Market Access Grant to attend the International Defense Conference in the United Arab Emirates. Daniel Wade, the firm’s president, encourages companies to pursue international business. “I highly recommend that companies look at the world as a small place and go after international business,” he said.

Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin: Spreading Dairy Goodness Globally

Established in 1983, the Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin represents the state’s 6,000 dairy farmers, advocating, marketing, and promoting their products domestically and internationally. Recently, the organization has intensified its focus on international markets, securing new sales in Singapore, Thailand, Kuwait, South Korea, Canada, and Japan. The organization also conducts inbound “dairy immersion” trips, offering a firsthand look inside Wisconsin’s dairy industry.

Partnering with the state Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection, the Center for Dairy Research, the U.S. Dairy Export Council, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin plays a crucial role in the state’s economy. “The world needs to be fed, and we have an incredible product,” said Chad Vincent, CEO of Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin. “The dairy industry in Wisconsin is so critical. It’s responsible for a $45.6 billion economic impact in the state every year and over 100,000 jobs. It really keeps rural Wisconsin rolling.”

MacDonald & Owen Lumber Company: Hardwood Excellence on a Global Scale

Headquartered in West Salem with a production facility in Luck, MacDonald & Owen Lumber Company employs 143 Wisconsin workers and produces a range of hardwood products. Since 2021, the company has shipped its products to 36 nations, with $280 million in export sales accounting for 23.2% of its business. The firm’s export success also benefits its 114 Wisconsin-based vendors, enabling global competitiveness.

MacDonald & Owen has utilized ExporTech™, a WEDC-sponsored program that helps small and midsize Wisconsin companies enter new markets. Clint West, the company’s CEO, emphasized the program’s value. “We know we have a role to play in helping advance the awareness of what Wisconsin has to offer in the form of hardwood lumber products,” he said. “ExporTech was helpful to us because they gave us some good tools to understand how international transactions happen.”

S3 AeroDefense LLC: Multicultural Excellence in Aerospace

This Milwaukee-based firm provides military aircraft spare parts, component repair services, and supply chain solutions to global military operators. S3 AeroDefense’s global presence spans 55 countries on six continents. The company, benefiting from ExporTech and the International Market Access Grant, saw a 31% revenue growth from 2018-2022, with export sales comprising 23% of its total revenue.

S3 AeroDefense maintains five global offices and participates in numerous trade shows worldwide. Company officials are dedicated to expanding international business, with 100% of employees involved in international activities. The firm employs a multicultural, multilingual team, with members fluent in at least 14 languages. “At S3 AeroDefense, we’re committed not only to achieving excellence in aerospace but also supporting WEDC’s mission to boost Wisconsin’s export economy,” said Aksel Sidem, the firm’s CEO.

Celebrating Excellence in Export

The 2023 Governor’s Export Achievement Awards highlight the extraordinary efforts of Wisconsin companies in expanding their international reach. These businesses exemplify the innovation, determination, and strategic vision necessary to thrive in global markets. Their success stories not only contribute to the Wisconsin economy but also inspire other businesses to explore the vast opportunities that lie beyond domestic borders. As these companies continue to grow and excel, they reinforce Wisconsin’s position as a formidable player in the global export arena.