5 Amazing Kane County Businesses Win Export Grants

5 Amazing Kane County Businesses Win Export Grants

Metro Chicago Exports has awarded grants to five Kane County companies through its 2016 grant program, funded by JPMorgan Chase. These Kane County grants make up a portion of the 50 grants awarded totaling $230,000. The grants will help local small- and medium-sized companies in Northeastern Illinois maximize their export potential, expand their customer base, create local jobs and increase revenue.

The five Kane County businesses that were awarded export grants are:

  • riverbank labs web_logo_200Riverbank Laboratories in Geneva — Riverbank tuning forks are manufactured to exacting standards using the finest corrosion and rust resistant aerospace-grade non-magnetic aluminum. Time-tested products that perform tirelessly, flawlessly and, with proper care, look bright and clean after years of service.
  • IFE logo squareInFlight Entertainment Products in Carpentersville — InFlight Entertainment Products is the industry leader in the manufacturing and repair of inflight entertainment and lighting equipment. Whether the customer has a fleet of commercial aircraft or a single corporate jet, InFlight has the products and expertise to help them maintain, repair or replace outdated equipment using their current systems.
  • Micro-Weld logoMicro Products Company in Batavia — High performance Micro-Weld butt welders are sold all over the world, helping customers increase productivity and quality of their end products.
  • doran logoDoran Scales in Batavia — The Doran 4100 Over/Under Series were designed to perform with repeatable accuracy in the hostile washdown environments found in the food processing industry. The Doran 4100 has gained immediate recognition for its speed, durability, and ease of use — a reputation still growing as the industry’s leading stainless steel scale.
  • humboldt logoHumboldt Manufacturing in Elgin — Humboldt Manufacturing made its name by making a line of top-quality labware, which included Bunsen and high-temperature burners. Today, Humboldt is focused on the development, manufacturing and distribution of construction materials testing equipment, though the company still manufacturers a line of lab burners.

Metro Chicago Exports is also finalizing plans to host a pitch fest in October 2016 during which applicants will be eligible to submit a pitch for additional funding totaling $30,000.

“Our 2016 grant recipients represent the unlimited potential of Kane County companies and the vast opportunity presented by international markets,” said Metro Chicago Exports Managing Director Thomas Hulseman. “By minimizing barriers to exporting, Kane County companies are better positioned to increase revenue and create local jobs, and we expect great results from the companies selected.”

This year’s 2016 grant program recipients span a range of industries including construction, digital media, energy, food services, health care, technology solutions, manufacturing and retail, and represent Cook, DuPage, Kane, Kendall, Lake, McHenry and Will counties and the city of Chicago.

Now in its second year, the Metro Chicago Exports Grant Program provides grants of up to $5,000 to help companies offset costs associated with exporting such as international regulatory compliance, marketing tools including website translation, and other business development costs. Open to companies new to exporting, moderate exporters and experienced exporters, the grant program is funded through a contribution from JPMorgan Chase.

Riverbank Laboratories was the first of eight companies in Kane County to receive export grants in 2015 from Metro Chicago Exports and Kane County.  As a result, the company has expanded its marketing and sales in Europe, rebranded the company and website, and attended international shows.

“Without funding support provided by MCE and Kane County, we would not have pursued expanding our export business,” said Riverbank Laboratories Vice President Mary Robinson. “We are developing relationships with foreign distributors, growing our export business and our staffing to meet increased demand for our tuning fork products.”

Metro Chicago Exports has also led the region in bringing ExporTechTM, a national program that helps companies develop strategic export plans, to Illinois for its inaugural cohort. Applications are still open for the 2016 Fall Cohort and additional details are available at www.MetroChicagoExports.com.

About Metro Chicago Exports

MCE Grant Banner

Metro Chicago Exports is an unprecedented regional collaboration between the seven counties in Northeastern Illinois (Cook, DuPage, Kane, Kendall, Lake, McHenry and Will) and the City of Chicago to increase exports from small and medium-sized companies and support regional job growth. By providing resources, information and grant funding, Metro Chicago Exports serves as a conduit to opportunities in the global marketplace and empowers companies to maximize their exporting potential.

Metro Chicago Exports is also part of the Global Cities Initiative, a joint project of the Brookings Institution and JPMorgan Chase that aims to catalyze a shift in economic development priorities and practices resulting in more globally connected metropolitan areas and more sustainable economic growth.

For more information, please visit: www.MetroChicagoExports.com.