MacDonald & Owen Lumber Company and Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin are among the four winners of the 2023 Governor’s Export Achievement Awards.
The awards honor businesses and organizations that have achieved significant growth or implemented innovative strategies in exporting. Nominees were evaluated on measurable export growth, innovation to enter or grow international markets, contributions to the state’s overall economy, and trade development.
“Exporting is one of the keys to building a strong, diversified economy here in Wisconsin,” says Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. Secretary and CEO Missy Hughes. “The award recipients are not only successfully building their businesses but they are helping to build Wisconsin’s reputation for quality and expertise.”
MacDonald & Owen Lumber Company
With 143 employees in Wisconsin, MacDonald & Owen Lumber Company has provided high quality, sustainably sourced, and reliable wood products to both foreign and domestic customers since 1970. The company completed the ExporTech program in 2016 and has since made use of the WEDC’s International Market Access Grant program on multiple occasions to pursue international opportunities. Over the past two years the company has shipped products to 36 countries with export revenue making up 23 percent of total sales.
Since its first export order in 2008, MacDonald & Owen Lumber Company has done business in 55 countries, says CEO Clint West.
“We are thankful that we get to partner with a wide range of vendors, customers, trucking companies, and freight carriers within the great state of Wisconsin to showcase some of the state’s beautiful natural resources globally,” he says. “We credit our success to our nimble and talented team as well as the support we’ve received from the WEDC.”
See a recent Mid-West Farm Report story featuring MacDonald & Owen Lumber Company: https://www.midwestfarmreport.com/2023/07/20/lumber-another-quality-product-from-wisconsin/
Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin
Established in 1983, this nonprofit consists of 25 members who represent Wisconsin’s thousands of dairy farmers. Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin exists to be a tireless advocate, marketer, and promoter for Wisconsin dairy farmers.
In addition to promoting Wisconsin dairy products in the U.S., the organization is also focused on the global marketplace, driving sales in key international markets including Singapore, Thailand, Kuwait, South Korea, Japan, Canada, and Mexico. The organization has undertaken multiple projects in these and other countries including dairy immersion trips consisting of meetings with decisionmakers/buyers, attending foreign tradeshows, creating promotional material, and hosting sampling events to name a few.
“We are privileged to work for Wisconsin’s dedicated dairy farmers and proud to accept this Export Achievement Award on their behalf,” says CEO Chad Vincent. “Building and expanding global markets is crucial for the continued growth and distribution of award-winning Wisconsin cheese and dairy products.”
Tune in to the Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin podcast series with Fabulous Farm Babe Pam Jahnke: https://www.midwestfarmreport.com/fabulous-farm-babe/