The 2008 Averell Harriman International Trade Awards Exporter of the Year for sales between $10 million and $50 million is Cold Spring-based Intensus Engineering Inc. L.L.C.
Harney & Sons Tea Co. of Millerton won Importer of the Year.
Intensus Engineering, a wholesale distributor of heavy equipment, was formed in 1996 as a joint venture with XCMG, a heavy-equipment manufacturer in China.
Intensus is a wholesale distributor of equipment for use in heavy-duty applications: soil and asphalt compactors, wheel loaders, motor graders, bulldozers and cranes, to name a few.
Intensus”™ customer base is 40 percent domestic and 60 percent international: Canada and Latin America are its primary customers. Gross revenues are projected to exceed $25 million for 2008.
As a subsidiary of XCMG, Intensus has enabled that company”™s engineers and technicians to become involved with U.S. manufacturers of machine systems, safety and pollution standards and ergonomic comforts. Key product improvement, development and innovations have been the result, with many innovations still in progress.
In addition, Managing Director and President Juan Carlos Salcedo has another company operating out of Intensus”™ Putnam County location: a private affiliate, Jireh Resources, a wholesale supplier of systems and machinery not manufactured by XCMG.
To learn more, visit www.intensus.com.
The Harriman Awards Importer of the Year is Harney & Sons Tea Co.
John Harney Sr. has been in the tea business since 1970. In 1983, he formed his own company, eventually joined by sons Michael and Paul.
Harney proceeded to give the staid tea industry a shaking up: to sell great tea at a price that would make it an everyday luxury. Today, famous hotels such as the Waldorf-Astoria and gourmet shops such as Williams Sonoma have become regular customers.
The company says it is committed to providing the finest possible cup of tea. Michael travels the world searching for renowned varietals, as well as new infusions from Germany to India. Public tea tastings happen regularly at Harney & Sons”™ retail store in northern Dutchess County to ensure that quality never slips.
In 2007, Harney & Sons began selling fruit teas from Austria. These flavorful teas, like herbals, contain no caffeine. In Europe these fruit teas are “hot sellers” (pun intended), says Harney. The company hopes for the same response in the U.S.
Each country requires the completion of documentation concerning origin of ingredients, product weights, dimensions, Kosher and organic certification and, in most cases, certification from the state Department of Agriculture. These documents must be completed prior to shipping for review by U.S. Customs. Some products are not allowed into certain countries based on ingredient profiles.
As the dollar falls against the euro, Harney & Sons teas are enjoying a pleasant tour of Europe. Its 9,000-square-foot commercial space beside the Harlem Valley Rail Trail in Millerton supplies teas all over the world and has expanded its base of international business to the Czech Republic, Spain, France and the United Kingdom. In 2006, John Harney Sr. was named Food Artisan of the Year by Bon Appetit magazine.
To learn more, visit www.harney.com.
Since 1995, the Averell Harriman International Trade Awards have recognized outstanding achievement in global trade. Business people in nine counties that comprise the mid-Hudson Valley were encouraged to nominate the company they believe brings the most to the region”™s international economic table.
There will be a business showcase and networking event starting at 5:30 p.m. May 20 at Anthony”™s Pier 9 in New Windsor, with the dinner and awards presentation following at 6 p.m. The Orange County Chamber of Commerce is this year”™s host.
