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AIM INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS COUNCIL (AIM-IBC) ANNOUNCES
2012 AIM GLOBAL TRADE AWARD NOMINATIONS NOW OPEN
Awards Include Internationally-Owned Companies in Massachusetts; Deadline March 1, 2012

BOSTON, January 26, 2012 – The Associated Industries of Massachusetts International Business Council (AIM-IBC) is now accepting nominations for its annual Global Trade Awards, which recognize Massachusetts firms, institutions and public agencies of all sizes that have demonstrated excellence in international trade. The nominations include a category for globally-owned companies that have positively impacted the Massachusetts economy.

“The Trade Awards have acknowledged the importance of international markets to Massachusetts businesses for over 16 years,” said AIM International Business Council Executive Director Kristen Rupert.  “Both domestic firms and internationally-owned companies with a Massachusetts presence help our state play a key role in the global economy. We want to recognize the significant value that exports, imports, joint international ventures and global partnerships bring to the Commonwealth.” 

The deadline for Trade Award nominations is Thursday, March 1.  Entry forms are available online at www.aimnet.org/international.  Winning entries should demonstrate one or more of the following:

• Increasing or retaining jobs in Massachusetts by entering international markets
• Demonstrating new or creative solutions to the import/export challenges
• Producing or adapting a product line or service for a foreign market
• Establishing alliances or partnerships to increase international business
• Investing in infrastructure or manufacturing in Massachusetts to enhance trade

2012 award winners will be honored at AIM’s 97th Annual Meeting on Friday, May 11 at the Waltham Westin Hotel. 

“You don’t necessarily need to be a big or well-known company to succeed globally,” said Richard Lord, president and CEO of AIM.  “Most companies that excel in international trade plan ahead, research their competition, know their markets and use local experts. Our past Trade Award winners offer the best examples of these strategies.”

2011 winners included Netherlands-based Philips (Essex County), woman-led Iredale Mineral Cosmetics (Berkshire County) and family-run Rocheleau Tool & Die (Worcester County).  Past winners include Heat Trace Products, Hasbro, and Liberty Mutual, as well as nonprofit organizations such as Northeastern University International Co-op and the Massachusetts Export Center. The Global Trade Awards have recognized nearly 70 Massachusetts companies, institutions and individuals since 1996.

About the AIM International Business Council
The AIM International Business Council helps Massachusetts employers engage in international trade and expand their global business activities. Through seminars, referrals, and e-newsletters, the AIM International Business Council provides companies with the resources they need.  For more, visit www.aimnet.org/international.

About Associated Industries of Massachusetts (AIM)
Established in 1915, Associated Industries of Massachusetts is the largest nonprofit, nonpartisan association of Massachusetts employers.  With 6,000 member companies employing more than 500,000 people in Mass., AIM’s mission is to promote the well-being and prosperity of the Commonwealth by improving the State’s economic climate, proactively advocating fair and equitable public policy and providing relevant, reliable information and excellent services.  For further information, visit www.aimnet.org. 

Benefits for Award Winners:

• Recognition and Award Ceremony on the dais at AIM's May 11, 2012 Annual Meeting
  (expected attendees: 400)
• Article and photos in AIM's Summer 2012 Mass. Business Magazine (circulation: 14,000)
• Extensive media coverage 

HISTORY of AIM INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS COUNCIL GLOBAL TRADE AWARDS

Since 1996, nearly 70 Massachusetts companies have been recognized by AIM-IBC for their expertise in international business. Award winners have included manufacturers of plastics and plastic molding, chemicals, cosmetics, specialty papers, high-performance instruments, heavy-duty cranes, rugged containers, pressure-sensitive and advanced films, golf balls, thermal processing equipment, puzzles, copper products, diagnostic testing equipment, textiles, personal care products, semi-conductor equipment, container board and saws. Awards have also been made to services providers in health care, insurance, engineering, finance, energy, post-secondary education, logistics and consulting.

Winners over the past years include Meadwestvaco, Acushnet/Titleist/Footjoy, Headwall Photonics, Eastern Bank, Hasbro Games, International Forest Products, Flexcon, Hardigg Industries/Pelican Products, UMass Boston, BTU International, Tannin Corporation, Madico, WorldCare International, Mabbett & Associates, Nypro, Bose, Fabrico, Aspect Medical Systems, ZRC, Health Enterprises, Extrusion Technology, Solutia, ACCION, and the Mass. Export Center.

In 2011, three Bay State firms received Global Trade Awards. Philips Electronics North America of Andover, an industry leader in consumer products/services and lighting, was recognized for its large number of exports from Massachusetts, exceeding $700 million in 2010. Rocheleau Tool & Die of Fitchburg is a third-generation family-owned and operated company that designs and manufactures blow molding machinery to produce milk bottles, reservoirs for windshield wiper fluid, and other finished products. The company, whose overseas sales account for nearly 50% of its annual revenue, installs and services its machinery on site at customers' locations in more than 28 countries. Iredale Mineral Cosmetics of Great Barrington designs, manufactures, markets, and distributes a full range of mineral-based cosmetics. The company was recognized for their steadily increasing international sales, which represent one-quarter of its annual revenue. The brand is available in 40 countries and has product descriptions translated into 12 languages.

For a complete list of past award recipients, see below

PREVIOUS WINNERS