AWARDS AND PRESENTATIONS - Erik Thorvig, Economic Development Coordinator
Title
RECOGNITION OF TOP TOOL FOR WINNING THE 2016 GOVERNOR’S INTERNATIONAL TRADE AWARD
Background
International trade is a key part of the Minnesota economy. Minnesota companies generated more than $19 billion in sales from exports of agricultural, mining and manufactured products last year. Businesses exported 1,044 different products to 207 countries in 2016. Exports support almost 120,000 jobs in Minnesota.
Six Minnesota companies - successful exporters that can inspire other Minnesota businesses to pursue international trade - have been awarded the 2016 Governor’s International Trade Award from the Minnesota Trade Office.
The six were selected for developing and growing a significant part of their business from exports, for increasing or maintaining jobs in Minnesota to support international sales, and for developing novel approaches for competing globally.
One of those six companies is Blaine’s, Top Tool. Founded 1966, Top Tool Company is a family held, woman-owned, precision metal stamping manufacturer with a reputation for quality and service. Early product mix included building tools and dies for Minnesota companies Honeywell and 3M. Several years later the company left the commodity sector to move to the highly regulated, more specialized market space where tolerances are measured in microns and millimeters, using exotic alloys such as platinum iridium. Top Tool received a grant from the State of Minnesota for Lean manufacturing in 2005. In 2008 it became ISO 9001 certified. In subsequent years Top Tool Company became ITAR Compliant for defense work and achieved ISO 13485 Medical Certification. With its first direct export sale in 2010, Top Tool is now very active in export creation. Over the past three years, its exports have risen from $251,000 to $922,000.
Duane Kari from Top Tool will be present to receive the recognition.