JM Grain, a processor and exporter of dried peas, lentils and chickpeas headquartered in Garrison, ND, was named North Dakota’s 2011 Exporter of the Year on April 11 at the 2012 Global Business Connections conference, hosted by the North Dakota Trade Office. Gov. Jack Dalrymple presented the award to Vice President Marvin Flaten and his wife, Beverly Flaten.
“JM Grain represents the vision and innovation that have positioned North Dakota as a competitive force in the global marketplace,” Gov. Jack Dalrymple said. “This company began as a family farm and now exports product from Garrison, North Dakota to markets all across the world, contributing to the state’s rapid export growth.”
The Exporter of the Year Award is presented to one North Dakota business each year. To win the award, the business had to: expand to a new international market in 2011; increase its export sales during 2011; support the larger, statewide effort to expand North Dakota’s global reach.
Dalrymple also presented Northern Crops Institue with the 2011 Service to Exporters Award, an accolade given to one organization which demonstrates exceptional commitment to supporting North Dakota exporters and increasing the state’s international business.
Approximately 150 people participated in the 2012 Global Business Connections conference, which is sponsored by the North Dakota Trade Office and its network of international business partners. The conference included an exhibition and seminars addressing global marketing, organizing for global growth, market assessment, export finance and risk mitigation.
Global Business Connections included a panel discussion focused on transportation in North Dakota which featured Sherman Wehlander, director of global trade and compliance for Doosan Infracore International, Inc.; Adam Wasserman, partner with Global Logistics Development Partners; Andrew Hemp, senior account executive for Maersk Line and Ron Martin, vice president of international logistics at Midwest Motor Express, Inc.
Best-selling author, Emmy-winning actor and noted economistBen Stein presented the keynote address.