We Won a $10,000 Grant for Exporting!

Approximately 31% of our sales are exports.  Our slim wallets sell in about 100 different countries annually and we currently export in volume to Canada, South Korea and Japan. The opportunity to be included in this exporting program is something we couldn’t pass up. 

We were voted in by a board to be one of 20 San Diego companies to be awarded $10k and provided resources and guidance for expanding our exports of American made goods.

Allett is part of the MetroConnect Exporting Program.   Funded by JP Morgan Chase and organized by the San Diego World Trade Center, the MetroConnect program helps small to medium sized companies expand their sales in foreign markets.  San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer has supported this program and we were happy to meet him at the launch event.  

We have our sights set on expanding sales in territories like the UK, Germany and Singapore.  We are making purchasing online easier for our Canadian and Japanese customers by localizing currency and providing local shipping rates. 

Over the last month, we have increased the size of our production team to keep up with demand largely due to a spike in sales coming from South Korea.  We are in the process of expanding our manufacturing capacity even more.  Investing in some new machinery is very likely in the next month. We are considering automatic sewing machine and a laser that cuts metal for jigs as our next big investments in automation.  It’s incredible to see how one good machine effects quality of work and efficiency, so we are excited to continue to grow of our manufacturing capabilities.  

The MetroConnect program is a fantastic opportunity to gain knowledge, make connections and utilize resources we never knew were there.  There is a chance to win another $35k grant at the end of the program in April, so keep your fingers crossed for us!  

Are you a maker?  An avid supporter of American manufacturing? A regular person with something to say?  We’d love to hear what you think.  Enter your comments below!