FARGO, ND—ICE Crystal Engineering, Machinery Management Service, and Northern Crops Institute were recognized for their achievements in international trade at the Global Business Connections Conference hosted by the North Dakota Trade Office (NDTO) on June 4, 2026. Executive Director of the NDTO, Drew Combs, presented the awards.
ICE Crystal Engineering was named the 2025 Exporter of the Year. To win the Exporter of the Year award, the business must have expanded to a new international market, increased its export sales during the past year, and supported the larger, statewide effort to expand North Dakota’s global reach. ICE Crystal Engineering exceeded these standards in 2025, successfully exporting products to seven countries spanning four continents with exports contributing 50% to their total sales. Among a pool of impressive nominees, ICE Crystal Engineering went above and beyond in their dedication to expanding North Dakota’s global reach.
Machinery Management Service Inc. won the 2025 Service to Exporters award. Their family-owned and run company has served the world export industry for nearly 20 years, offering freight consolidation, machine disassembly, container and truck loading, and related logistics. They have built a strong reputation by helping companies ship containers of product to over 60 countries, focusing on the logistics of transportation so exporters can focus on sales. Working closely with businesses of all sizes—especially small- and medium-sized exporters—their team provides practical guidance that gives their clients a sense of security. Through dependable service and industry knowledge, this company has become a trusted partner for exporters across the region.
Northern Crops Institute won the 2025 NDTO Global Ambassador award. NCI has long served as a valuable bridge between North Dakota agriculture and international markets. Through training programs, technical assistance, research, and global engagement, they have helped showcase the quality and value of Northern Plains crops to customers and distributors from more than 155 countries. In 2025, they celebrated the grand opening of their expanded $3.9 million Livestock Feed Production Center, hosted individuals from 63 countries, and drew in over 1500 participants for their various programming.
“This past year was an especially challenging one for our state’s exporters and trade service providers,” said Combs, “but these winners represent the resiliency that time and time again has set North Dakota apart from its competitors.”
The Global Business Awards Ceremony made up just a short portion of a very successful 2026 Global Business Connections Conference. The event drew in nearly 100 attendees. Throughout the day, speakers included Zachary Karabell, Brigadier General Guy Walsh, Director General Debby Huang, and representatives from the Consulate General of Canada in Minneapolis, J.P. Morgan, Sandler, Travis, and Rosenberg, P.A., IBT Online, the Rural Export Center, and North Dakota State University.
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The North Dakota Trade Office is a membership-based, private/public partnership that provides education, research, advocacy, organization, and leadership so that NDTO members and ND companies can grow their international business.