Ivey recognizes exporting companies, Tuskegee University

Alabama’s economic potential appears to be growing with each passing year.

Declaring May World Trade Month, Gov. Kay Ivey recognized six Alabama-based businesses at a Wednesday awards ceremony in Montgomery. All six businesses recognized have played a major role in export activities within the Yellowhammer State.

“Thanks to tremendous levels of innovation, craftsmanship and ingenuity, Alabama’s talented workers turn out products that are in-demand around the world,” said Ivey. “These products elevate the ‘Made in Alabama’ brand and transmit the message internationally that top-quality goods come from our state.”

The six winning companies, who were each presented with 2023 Governor’s Trade Excellence Award, were selected by the Alabama Department of Commerce.

“Exporting is a driving force in Alabama’s economy, providing benefits here at home that include new jobs and investments,” said Commerce Secretary Greg Canfield. “The vision of our companies to be international leaders in their respective fields is most impressive, and we look forward to seeing their continued success in overseas markets.”

Ivey also bestowed the 2023 Governor’s Trade Excellence Award upon Tuskegee University. The school was honored for its success in international initiatives, including partnerships with overseas universities and hosting students from more than 20 countries.

The value of Alabama exports increased to more than $25.5 billion in 2022, setting a record on shipments of motor vehicles, aerospace parts, chemicals, minerals and paper products. With around 3,000 Alabama companies exporting products, the state’s exports have soared almost 47% in value since 2020.

Christina Simpson, director of Commerce’s Office of International Trade, said the honored companies are great role models within the state.

“We are proud to have worked with all the companies represented today and to have assisted them in identifying international opportunities,” she said. “The communities where they are located are fortunate to have them because, through exporting, they’re diversifying the economy, growing their production and creating and sustaining jobs.”

Award winners

• Adah International – an industrial engineering and project management services firm based in Birmingham
• Bud’s Best Cookies – a regional baker with 150 employees and a state-of-the-art facility in Hoover
• Canfor Southern Pine – a manufacturer of renewable wood products that is investing $210 million to build a sawmill complex near Mobile
• Hyundai Motor Manufacturing of Alabama – one of the Southeast’s largest automotive assembly plants, which counts Canada, Mexico and El Salvador as the top export markets for its Montgomery-built vehicles
• ICONN Orthopedics – a Birmingham medical device maker with FDA clearance for five products and others in the approval pipeline
• Pinnacle Solutions – a Huntsville-based developer and provider of defense and aerospace products and services with domestic and international operations.
• Hilda Lockhart – Named Trade Advocate of the Year for her leadership of the Commerce’s Office of International trade for more than two decades.

Austen Shipley is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News.