STEP Success Testimonial- Rugged Liner

Posted on Tuesday, March 11, 2014
Pure Michigan Export Program

Company: Rugged Liner    
Location: Owosso, Michigan
Products/Industry: Quality Aftermarket and OEM Truck Accessories
Top 5 Countries Exporting to: Middle East (Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, South America (Chile, Brazil, Argentina, Peru), Caribbean and Central America, Russia, China

After creating a strong foothold in the automotive industry and influence in the Mid-Michigan area, the Williamson family of Flint decided to expand their business domain from exclusively car dealerships to aftermarket truck accessories. In 1996, the Williamson’s accomplished this by establishing Rugged Liner in Owosso, Michigan. For years the company found success locally and nationally, but when the recession hit the United States truck sales declined. Rugged Liner CEO Scott Williamson began diversifying products and shipping internationally. In 2012, the company signed its first contracts with original equipment manufacturers in the United States and Mexico. Later that same year Rugged Liner was introduced to the Pure Michigan Export Program.

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STEP Success Testimonial- Wineman Technology, Inc.

Posted on Tuesday, February 18, 2014
Pure Michigan Export Program

Company: Wineman Technology, Inc.
Location: Saginaw, Michigan
Products/Industry: Control systems, data acquisition systems, and test machines
Top 5 Countries Exporting to: Canada, Mexico, China, Brazil, South Korea

When James A. Wineman was offered an early retirement from General Motors in 1991, he took the opportunity to use his 30 years of manufacturing engineering experience to provide the engineering and building of control systems, data acquisition systems, and test machines by building Wineman Technology, Inc.  (WTI). What began as a one-man company has now grown to almost 50 employees and has expanded to have locations in Saginaw and Clarkston, Michigan and Raleigh, North Carolina. Over the last decade, WTI has focused on data systems and test machines for their international customers that are primarily involved in the auto, off road vehicle, residential product, military and aerospace industries.

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STEP Success Testimonial- Morbark, Inc.

Pure Michigan Export Program

Company: Morbark, Inc.
Location: Winn, Michigan
Products/Industry: Industrial Equipment
Top 5 Countries Exporting to: Canada, Japan, Australia, Brazil, Chile

From a small blacksmith shop with only two employees to an international business with more than 400, Morbark, Inc. has grown to become one of Michigan’s most recognized industrial equipment manufacturers.

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STEP Success Testimonial- International Engineering & Manufacturing

Pure Michigan Export Program

Company: International Engineering & Manufacturing
Location: Midland, MI
Products/Industry: Traction and Control Products
Top 5 Countries Exporting to: Canada, Sweden, Finland, Russia, Norway

International Engineering and Manufacturing, known worldwide as the industry’s premier producer of its product, operates under the trademark Woody’s Traction. The business was started in the mid-60s by James Musselman and Woody Koslow during a time when the snowmobile industry was booming. They created the first carbide runners for snowmobiles, a breakthrough in the sport, and soon people all over the region wanted a pair of “Woody’s” runners.

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STEP Success Testimonial- Gougeon Brothers, Inc.

Pure Michigan Export Program

Company: Gougeon Brothers, Inc.
Location: Bay City, MI
Products/Industry: Epoxy Resins
Top 5 Countries Exporting to: Canada, Mexico, China, Korea, Japan
STEP Grant Amount Received:

Forty-five years ago, Gougeon Brothers, Inc. began manufacturing epoxy resins to create boats while operating their own iceboat business. In 1975, the Gougeon Brothers sold their iceboat business and decided to concentrate on selling epoxy and building larger and customized boats. Since then, their products have been used in many things from architectural restoration to the development of high-tech aircraft and spacecraft.

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STEP Success Testimonial- Duperon Corporation

Pure Michigan Export Program

Company: Duperon Corporation
Location: Saginaw, Michigan
Products/Industry: Liquid/Solid Separation Technology
Top 5 Countries Exporting to: Mexico, Canada, Columbia, Peru, Iraq

With the goal of protecting water pumps in mind, Terry Duperon used his experience working with pumps and pumping and his knowledge of the effects of water-borne debris to create the Duperon Self-Cleaning Trashrack in 1979. After this product found success internationally with tough storm-water and flood control applications, the Duperon Corporation was established in 1985. The company has since developed screening technology and liquid/solid separating technologies with the intent of multiple functionality in each component.

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STEP Success Testimonial- Dunn Paper Inc.

Pure Michigan Export Program

Company: Dunn Paper Inc.
Location: Port Huron, MI
Products/Industry: Specialty Paper Manufacturing
Top Countries Exporting to: Canada, Latin America (Mexico, Chile, Guatemala, El Salvador) Africa (South Africa), Asia (China, Israel, Indonesia)

In 1924, a paper mill in Port Huron, Mich., Curtis Specialty Paper Inc., was just getting started. Years later, the paper mill was forced to close like many other industry leaders around the country. But in 2003 the mill was up and running again under new a company name—Dunn Paper Inc., and its been running ever since.

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STEP Success Testimonial- CFI Medical Solutions

Pure Michigan Export Program

Company: CFI Medical Solutions
Location: Mackinaw Island, MI
Products/Industry: Medical Device Manufacturing
Top Five Countries Exporting to:  Canada, Australia, Malaysia, Brunei, Saudi Arabia, and Israel

In the early 1970’s, Contour Fabricators, Inc. saw a need for foam positioning aids in the diagnostic imaging industry.  From what started as a 3,000-square-foot pole barn, six employees, and a powerful vision, CFI developed a niche market that has become a multi-million dollar industry.
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STEP Success Testimonial- Amigo Mobility

Pure Michigan Export Program

Company: Amigo Mobility Case Study
Location: Bridgeport, MI
Products/Industry: Electric Scooters
Top Six Countries Exporting to:  Mexico, Canada, Brazil, United Kingdom, Australia, Czech Republic

Al Thieme was a young man working as a plumbing and heating contractor in Bridgeport, Mich. when a family member began to lose her mobility due to multiple sclerosis. Witnessing this loss of independence, he worked in the evenings, after his day job, to create an innovative form of mobility. Thieme went on to invent the first ever power operated vehicle/scooter – the Amigo. Named for being the “friendly wheelchair,” Amigo Mobility International, Inc. was founded on November 12, 1968 and an entire industry was born.
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STEP Success Testimonial- Air Lift Company

Pure Michigan Export Program

Company: Air Lift Company
Location: Lansing, MI
Products/Industry: Air Spring Suspension
Top Five Countries Exporting to: United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Germany and Brazil

Air Lift Company has developed dependable air spring suspension products since its inception in 1949. The early years of stock car racing proved Air Lift’s air springs’ supreme versatility. Air Lift’s products were widely used for twenty years by most every stock car racing team, and its cars were among the top competitors on the NASCAR Grand National Circuit.  Today, Air Lift Company is proud of its racing roots and is committed to customizing its products for their customers needs on the road.

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Export Trade Missions: Excellent Tools to Begin or Expand Your Export Markets

Posted on Thursday, May 2, 2013
If you are a regular reader of this column, you have learned about Michigan’s State Trade Export Promotion (STEP) program over the past year. You are likely also aware that this region’s STEP program is hosted by the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce (LRCC). You may not be aware that for 2013, LRCC has partnered with the Lansing Economic Area Partnership (LEAP) to lead an export trade mission.

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STEP Funds Still Available From MEDC

Posted on Tuesday, April 2, 2013
Central Michigan region companies are encouraged to apply for more than $150,000 in grants before July 15

(LANSING, MICH.) – The Michigan Economic Development Corporation’s (MEDC) Pure Michigan State Trade and Export Promotion (STEP) has grant money still available for exporters in the 18-county Central Michigan region that must be committed by July 15 to stay in the region. Examples of activities that could be reimbursed under the exporting initiative are: foreign market sales trips, foreign trade shows, foreign trade missions, and translations of materials and websites.

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