AIM Recognizes Heat Trace as Global Trade Award Winner

AIM International Business Council Announces 2010 Global Trade Award Winners

Northeastern University International Co-Op, A. W. Chesterton and
Heat Trace Products Recognized

Associated Industries of Massachusetts’ International Business Council today announced the recipients of its 2010 Global Trade Awards. The awards, in their 15th year, recognize Massachusetts firms, institutions and public agencies who have demonstrated creativity and leadership in their international trade-related activities. This year’s winners include: Heat Trace Products of Leominster, A.W. Chesterton of Woburn, and Northeastern University’s International Co-Op of Boston.

“A. W. Chesterton and Heat Trace Products are very different companies – A.W. Chesterton with a 125-year history and Heat Trace just six years old – and both are well documented success stories, tapping into overseas markets to expand sales, while retaining and growing their employee base here in Massachusetts,” said AIM-IBC Executive Director Kristen Rupert. “We are also very pleased to have among this year’s winners Northeastern University for helping to ensure the next generation of employees, in Massachusetts and beyond, is well-versed in the global economy.”

The 2010 Global Trade Awards are presented as follows:

Diplomat’s Award to Heat Trace Products LLC, Leominster, Mass.
Heat Trace Products LLC is a manufacturer of self-regulating heat trace products that keep liquids in the petrochemical, oil, gas, food, and power plant industries at a predetermined temperature. Founded in 2004, the company has 21 employees and approximately half of its sales come from exports. Primary destinations for Heat Trace products are Russia, Kazakhstan, China, Japan, Canada, Scandinavia, Europe and the Middle East. Therma-Links, a Heat Trace product, is currently being used by US troops in Afghanistan, where temporary housing units have potable water lines that are at risk of freezing.

“Developing markets are growing faster than more established ones and Heat Trace has capitalized on this trend, expanding the company’s business in Russia and other emerging markets and demonstrating that small businesses can reap great rewards internationally,” said AIM-IBC Chairman Martin Walter.

Chairman’s Award to A.W. Chesterton Company, Woburn and Groveland, Mass.
A.W. Chesterton Company was founded on the Boston waterfront in 1884 as a purveyor of steamboat and engineers’ supplies. Today, with a worldwide workforce of more than 1,000, including 500 employees in Massachusetts, A.W. Chesterton manufactures a broad array of industrial fluid sealing systems, protective coatings, cleaners and lubricants. The company’s primary manufacturing center is in Groveland, Mass., and nearly 60% of the firm’s global sales volume comes from exports to 90+ countries.

Ambassador’s Award to Northeastern University International Co-Op, Boston
Northeastern University’s International Co-op program has tripled in size over the past four years, with nearly 300 students currently studying in 48 countries and 89 cities. Over the past century, Northeastern has become recognized as a world leader in combining experience with a rigorous academic program. At Northeastern, preparing students to succeed in the global economy is an institutional priority. From Western Europe to South Africa, from China and Singapore to Argentina and Peru, Northeastern students are gaining invaluable global skills by working for US firms, foreign companies and non-profit organizations.