BRADENTON – Two years ago, Hann Powerboats had zero international sales. This year, global exports will account for 60 percent of the company’s revenues, an achievement that earned the small Manatee County manufacturer recognition as the only Florida firm featured in the U.S. Commercial Service’s 2011 Annual Report, according to Sharon Hillstrom, president of the Manatee Economic Development Corp. (MEDC).
”It all started when the Manatee EDC introduced us to Rebecca Torres, the Commercial Service representative for our region,“ said Kevin McLaughlin, vice president at Hann Powerboats. ”We have learned how to vet potential buyers through U.S. embassies around the world and have taken advantage of the connections that Commercial Service representatives have in those countries where we want to do business. There is no question that our international business has saved our production staff. Without the international boat sales, we would not need the production staff we have and we wouldn’t be planning to hire more. “
Hann Powerboats, located on 18th Street East in South Manatee County, is a small company with six employees producing high quality vessels. Hann Powerboats' trademarked hull design reflects the engineering detail and attention required to produce a stable, fast, and efficient boat. All of the vessel’s parts are fabricated using the most modern equipment, resulting in the best fit possible and allowing for quicker assembly of the vessels. They can serve as patrol and fire/rescue boats and can also be configured to support multiple missions. Hann Powerboats’ customers include the U.S. Air Force, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the U.S. Navy and numerous private customers. The trademarked, efficient and fast hull design has allowed Hann to break new ground in speed and efficiency with large, hi-load vessels.
In its 2011 annual report, the U.S. Commercial Service – the trade promotion arm of the U.S. Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration – highlighted Hann’s $400,000 sale of powerboats to a Nigerian company. McLauglin wanted to make sure the company was legitimate and could pay for its purchase, and because the order included equipment that could be used for military applications, Hann Powerboats also had to vet the company further. Torres, located in the U.S. Commercial Service’s Clearwater office, was able to work with her colleagues and representatives at the U.S. Embassy in Nigeria to resolve in two weeks a problem that McLaughlin had struggled with for two months.
”I am so pleased and proud that Hann Powerboats was chosen from this region to be showcased in the U.S. Commercial Service's Annual Report,“ said Torres, commercial officer at the Tampa Bay Export Assistance Center. ”We are happy to have assisted them in their sale to Nigeria, and look forward to providing additional assistance in securing sales to other countries as well. This partnership will undoubtedly assist in the growth of this fine example of U.S. manufacturing and technology.“
”Now that I’ve learned to work through the U.S. Commercial Service and our embassies, I expect our international sales to continue to grow,“ McLauglin said. ”We actually expect to double staff with just the international business alone over the next 12 months.“
New positions will be in skilled production jobs, he said. Job candidates should apply in person at Hann Powerboats, 6555 18th Street East in south Manatee County.
”Hann Powerboats demonstrates how businesses in Manatee County can connect with international markets to grow revenues, and as they grow, they create new jobs for local residents,“ Hillstrom said. Manatee County businesses seeking more information on exporting their products or services may inquire via email to info@manateeedc.com or by phone to 748-4842, ext. 126.
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