Ed. note: This post is part of a series highlighting the upcoming Hannover Messe Trade Show April 25—29, 2016. This series will highlight U.S. exhibitors that will participate in the world’s leading trade fair for industrial technology. 

Guest blog post by Charles V. Barlow, Vice President, EverGlow NA, Inc.

This is your first time at Hannover Messe. What factors influenced your decision to participate this year?

Our local U.S. Commercial Service office recommended participation in Hannover Messe as a way to increase our international sales and grow our business.

Why is the Industrial Supply pavilion a natural home for you?

EverGlow manufactures (non-electrical) Photoluminescent Emergency Lighting systems that are stocked in supply rooms for use in factories and warehouses, making the Industrial Supply pavilion a natural home for us.  Also, our Photoluminescent “EXIT” signs and “EGRESS PATH” markings are purchased by manufacturers for installation in the airplanes, trains, offshore work platforms and ships that they make.

What do you hope to accomplish at Hannover Messe?

By attending Hannover Messe, we hope to meet people from companies who can help EverGlow increase our international sales.

When and how did your company begin exporting?

We began actively working to increase our international sales in 2010.  Since then, we have sold Photoluminescent signs and markings to Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Bermuda, Bahamas, Ecuador, UAE, Afghanistan, Kyrgyzstan and Singapore.

What impact has exporting had on your company?

International sales help EverGlow diversify the markets to which we sell and the products that we manufacture.  As a result, exporting has been extremely important in fueling our growth.

What advice do you have for other American companies looking to start exporting?

I strongly recommend  that all U.S. manufacturers build a website and develop a presence on the internet so that potential international buyers can easily find them.  As manufacturers gain experience with international sales and shipments, it would be beneficial for them to expand their marketing efforts to include international trade shows and discussions with the resources provided by the U.S. Department of Commerce and your local or state offices.