Pernod Ricard receives Arkansas trade award
by May 12, 2011 2:23 pm 72 views
The Pernod Ricard USA plant in Fort Smith (formerly Hiram Walker) was one of four company recognized Thursday (May 12) with the Governor’s Award for Excellence in Global Trade.
This is the second year for the program which is co-sponsored by the Arkansas District Export Council, the Arkansas Economic Development Commission, U. S. Commercial Service Export Assistance Center Arkansas, and the Arkansas World Trade Center.
Winning companies were:
• Pernod Ricard USA of Fort Smith, Large Manufacturer/Service Exporter category (more than $50 million in total sales);
• Allen Engineering of Paragould, Small/Medium Sized Manufacturer/Service Exporter category (less than $50 million in total sales);
• Keo Fish Farm Inc. of Keo, Agribusiness category; and,
• Power Technology of Alexander, Technology Exporter category.
“Arkansas is proving time and again that our manufacturers, farmers and innovators can be exporters to the world,” Gov. Mike Beebe said in a statement. “Today’s award recipients are taking the lead in expanding the reach and horizons of Arkansas businesses, to the benefit of our state and our workforce.”
Judging criteria was based on factors such as most recent percentage of export sales to total sales, growth of export sales over the past three years, the company’s goals and commitments internationally and the number of jobs saved or created due to the company’s export performance if applicable.
According to U.S. Census Bureau data, Arkansas’s export shipments of merchandise in 2010 totaled more than $5.1 billion – a 33% increase from 2005 totals. The state’s largest trade partners in 2010 were Canada ($1.3 billion), Mexico ($544 million), Japan ($342 million) and China ($336 million).
Pernod Ricard employs more than 1,000 people in the U.S., and manages their U.S. and global distribution and logistics from Fort Smith, according to information provided by award program organizers. The company’s premium positioning in the beverage industry brings increased market awareness, prestige, and manufacturing jobs to Arkansas where 749 items are manufactured, including 229 items for export.