SBDC Works to Grow Exports of Small Businesses to Latin America

Three representatives from Duquesne’s Small Business Development Center (SBDC) and four companies attended the 2015 Conexpo Latin America trade show in Santiago, Chile. The trip was planned to help small- and medium-sized Pennsylvania businesses expand their exports to Latin America, especially the Pacific Alliance countries of Chile, Colombia, Mexico and Peru.

Dr. Mary McKinney, director of SBDC; Brent Rondon, manager of the global business program; and Gonzalo Manchego, SBDC’s business consultant, are pleased with the progress and potential business growth generated by the late October trip.

“Conexpo Latin America is the largest tradeshow in Latin America for the construction industry, and the Pacific Alliance countries are among the fastest growing in the world,” McKinney said. “Our attendance at the tradeshow provides us with the opportunity to introduce Pennsylvania businesses to the Pacific Alliance countries’ leading firms in their industry. Our team’s first-hand knowledge of the language and countries’ business practices really facilitate the PA businesses to enter the market more easily.”

Business owners who attended with SBDC expect several millions of dollars in sales as a direct result. They were able to network with the U.S. Ambassador to Chile, Michael A. Hammer, and his commercial staff. Businesses sending representatives to the show were Becker Wholesale Mine Supply Inc. of Irwin, Elliott Group of Jeanette, SealGuard Inc. of Gibsonia and Tamco Tools of Monongahela. Four others—A C Power Tech, Bon Tool Co., Comptec Inc. and Mills Machine Co.—were represented in a catalogue show.