IS&O Headlines

STILLWATER, Okla. – The Wes Watkins Center for International Trade and Development at Oklahoma State University assists individuals and companies looking to export their goods and services around the world.

Vacuworx, a Tulsa based company, has used many of the WWCITDs varied services which have helped them to become more competitive and to enter into new global markets. In addition to selling to Free Trade Agreement partners such as Australia and Chile and export to key markets including Brazil, the Netherlands, Germany and Turkey.

“We have been working with Vacuworx since we became an integral part the Oklahoma Small Business Development network in June 2012,” said Anthony Cambas, Director of the Wes Watkins Center for International Trade and Development. “The center has worked with Vacuworx in order to help them develop new markets and solve the puzzle of getting their products into the destination markets in a profitable manner by emphasizing export and Customs compliance and the implementation of best practices in logistics and shipping.”

Since it was founded in Tulsa in 1999, Vacuworx has garnered a global reputation for developing unique and innovative lifting products based on vacuum technologies which improve the safety and efficiency of projects requiring the lifting of heavy and unwieldy materials including pipelines.

“The assistance provided by the Oklahoma State University WWCITD understanding the export controls and harmonized codes related to our products and the development of a Compliance Manual accompanied by internal controls, policies and procedures have been invaluable,” said Stephen Smith, Director of International Sales for Vacuworx. “These activities have assisted us in becoming more competitive by improving our compliance and avoiding the overpayment of duties and have also helped us to streamline operations and better focus our internal procedures regarding our export process.”

In addition to assistance in the area of trade compliance, the OSU WWCITD has provided foreign market research assistance to help Vacuworx better focus its activities in a way that will help to reach new overseas customers and to develop a Global Dealer network.

“While many of these countries are still in development for us, we now have a better, more refined strategy to develop these and are more confident in our efforts as a result,” Smith said.

The Wes Watkins Center for International Trade and Development focuses on both international trade and international development. In the area of International Trade, the focus is to assist Oklahoma businesses in marketing their products and services overseas. Oklahoma businesses are provided with Certified Global Business Professionals for hands-on assistance in any and all efforts to expand product and service markets internationally.

The WWCITD is part of the Oklahoma Small Business Development Centers network which has partner centers located around the state and is dedicated to providing business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs with guidance to succeed in their business endeavors.

To find out how WWCITD can assist your business with going global contact 405-744-4272 or citd1@okstate.edu.

DURANT, Okla. – The Oklahoma Small Business Development Center (OKSBDC) statewide network has begun providing disaster recovery consulting to Oklahoma small business owners impacted by Monday’s devastating tornado in Moore, Oklahoma.

Dr. Bill Carter stated: “The Oklahoma SBDC Network can provide assistance to businesses that were directly damaged or impacted and also those that have, or will, have a secondary economic impact as a result of the very damaging storm.”

Carter indicated that the Oklahoma SBDC Network has many tools that can help business owners fast-track their recovery. He indicated that some of the first things on a ‘recovery list’ should include reconnecting with employees, suppliers, and bankers. Additionally, Carter indicated that “a business owner should contact key customers and let them know the plans for the business. Taking photos, reassembling business records, and generally breaking the task down into manageable steps can start the process toward reopening a business.”

Business owners in any of Oklahoma’s 77 counties can receive no-cost business advising on a range of business operational issues from one of the 17 locations the Oklahoma SBDC network has in Oklahoma. Regarding disasters, a first step would be to get the “Disaster Resource Guide for Small Businesses” available from your local SBDC Office. Locations for Oklahoma SBDC offices can be found at www.oksbdc.net.

Carter also suggested that businesses that have suffered a disaster should work through the “IRS Disaster Tool Kit” early in their recovery. This “Tool Kit” is also available through your local SBDC Office. SBDC advisors are available to assist with these efforts.

Carter indicated that SBA disaster loans and other resources will be available in the weeks ahead and that Oklahoma SBDC business advisors will be available to help business owners through the application process.