California Company Named Exporter of the Year by U.S. Export Promotion Magazine

American Trading International, Inc. (ATI) of Los Angeles, Calif., has been awarded a 2008 ThinkGlobal/Commercial News USA Exporter of the Year award from ThinkGlobal Inc., publisher of Commercial News USA, the official export promotion magazine of the U.S. Department of Commerce.

Commercial News USA is a catalog-style magazine distributed to an estimated 400,000 readers in 176 countries worldwide. Awards are given to one U.S. company in each of 15 industry categories as well as an overall winner. Privately-held ATI was named Exporter of the Year in both the Hotel & Restaurant Equipment/Food/Food Processing and Overall categories.

Winners were chosen based on the total number of documented export deals completed in 2006, total percentage increase in sales in 2006 compared to 2005, exports as percentage of total sales, the company’s commitment to exporting, the company’s commitment to customer service, and the company’s innovation and originality in marketing products or services.

To be eligible for the award, the company must currently be exporting from the United States.

American Trading International, Inc. exports U.S. foods, beverages, and general grocery items to more than 45 countries. The company reported total growth in export sales in 2006 of 29% over 2005. Exports represent 100% of the company’s total sales.

Founded in 1995, American Trading International, Inc. began solely as an exporting business. It remains so today. “Our mission at American Trading International Inc. (ATI) is to look at the world as a global marketplace with no boundaries or limitations for growth and opportunity. We all challenge ourselves to meet each day with a forward thinking attitude on how to export USA products throughout the world. We approach all markets whether they are a long time trade partner with the USA or a new emerging market with the same excitement and anticipation of possibility. ATI is not like other companies—we are constantly reevaluating our dynamic in order to stay open and flexible to the demands of international buyers. Our willingness to change how we do things is our greatest asset. This corporate agility and ‘can do’ mindset is what makes exporting USA products as 100% of our business so rewarding,” said ATI President Seth Merrick Wilen.

Gregory Sandler, publisher of Commercial News USA, said that the success of ATI is indicative of how American companies can benefit from exporting. “With 95% of the world’s market outside the U.S., there is significant growth opportunity for American manufactures and service providers. Current economic conditions—particularly the low value of the dollar—have made American products very appealing to foreign buyers. There is no better time than now for U.S. companies to export their goods and services.”