For Immediate Release

Contact: Don Canton or Don Larson

(701) 328-2200 or

Jeff Zent

(701) 235-3638

[email protected]

Lt. Gov. Dalrymple, N.D. Companies to Attend TradevMission to Kazakhstan, Ukraine and Russia

Bismarck, N.D. – Lt. Gov. Jack Dalrymple and the North Dakota Trade Office will lead an 18-member delegation representing seven North Dakota companies and one university on a trade mission to Kazakhstan, Ukraine and Russia Oct. 22 to Nov. 4.

“This trade mission is part of a larger effort to increase North Dakota’s export volume,” Gov. John Hoeven said. “The North Dakota Trade Office is a public-sector, private sector partnership that’s really getting results. Our total export value is growing at a rate of nearly 18 percent a year, and companies working with the trade office are seeing export sales grow at an even higher rate.”

Representatives from six agricultural equipment companies will spend nearly two weeks attending Kazakhstan’s largest international trade show and meet with pre-qualified equipment buyers and distributors in each of the countries.

“Agricultural and industrial equipment is in high demand in Kazakhstan, Ukraine and Russia where the national economies are growing and efforts are underway to further develop the related industries,” North Dakota Trade Office Executive Director Susan Geib said.

Dickinson State University and SolarBee, a Dickinson-based company that manufactures solar-powered water circulators, also are participating in the trade mission. DSU officials plan to meet with higher education officials in Ukraine to promote cultural and student exchange programs.  SolarBee will interview pre-qualified distribution partners in Ukraine and Moscow.

Kazakhstan is North Dakota’s eighth largest market, with machinery representing nearly all of the state’s export sales. Kazakhstan’s imports of North Dakota machinery have increased in value from $22,000 in 2000 to nearly $25 million last year.

North Dakota machinery exports to Ukraine increased from $22,000 in 2000 to nearly $13 million last year. And to Russia, the sixth largest export market for North Dakota goods and services, machinery exports have increased from $438,000 in 2000 to nearly $32 million last year.

A survey of North Dakota exporters and U.S. Department of Commerce data shows that the state’s efforts to expand its international sales is working. Here are some highlights:

• North Dakota’s total export value is growing at an annual rate of nearly 18 percent, according to the U.S. Department of Commerce. Companies working with the North Dakota Trade Office report they have increased their export sales by an average of 35 percent. The nation’s export sales are growing at a rate of 11 percent.

• Through trade missions and other export services, the Trade Office has assisted exporters in increasing their international sales by nearly $42 million during the past year.

The North Dakota companies participating in the trade mission are:

• WCCO Belting, Wahpeton, N.D. – WCCO Belting is a leading manufacturer of specialized rubber conveyor belting for both industrial and agricultural markets. www.wccobelt.com

• Gates Manufacturing, Inc., Lansford, N.D. –Gates Manufacturing pioneered the heavy harrow with its first solid-mounted harrow drawbar. Gates continues that tradition by manufacturing the most complete line of residue management toolbars and attachments in the industry.  www.gatesmfg.net

• Sund Manufacturing, Inc., Newburg, N.D. – Sund manufactures a full line of combine headers designed to gently pick up swaths, bean rows or field peas while leaving dirt and rocks in the field. The result is a larger and cleaner harvest. www.sundmfg.com

• Duratech Industries, Jamestown, N.D. – Duratech Industries offers a diverse line of new and used agricultural and industrial equipment including Haybuster agricultural products and industrial wood waste grinders. www.duratechindustries

• Brandt Holdings, Inc., Fargo N.D. – Brandt Holdings owns and operates agricultural and industrial equipment dealerships throughout the United States and also distributes its equipment throughout the world. Brandt Holdings offers full lines of John Deere and Vermeer agriculture equipment including tractors and combines. Brandt Holdings also distributes Bobcat skid-steer loaders. www.brandtholdings.com

• Titan Machinery, Fargo, N.D. – Titan Machinery offers a full line of new and used farm equipment manufactured by under both CaseIH and New Holland names. With the combination of Case IH and New Holland, CNH has become the number one manufacturer of tractors and combines in the world. Titan Machinery also represents several short-line manufacturers of farm equipment and has a construction division that distributes both Case and New Holland construction equipment. www.titanmachinery.com

• SolarBee, Dickinson, N.D. – SolarBee manufactures a full line of solar-powered water circulators for use in lakes, reservoirs and other water bodies. www.solarbee.com

The trade mission to Kazakhstan, Ukraine and Russia was coordinated by the North Dakota Trade Office, the U.S. Commercial Service and the U.S. Business Information Service for the Newly Independent States.

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