Guest blog post by Joshua Kaplan, International Trade Specialist, U.S. Commercial Service Office

One important aspect about U.S. companies going global is that they aren’t just looking for profits. In my work, I’ve seen broad commitment from global companies to make positive impact in the markets in which they sell. That definitely adds a sense of reward for me; as I help companies grow through global sales, I see these companies making a positive impact in the world.

Among the 400-plus exhibitors that joined the U.S. Partner Country delegation at this year’s Hannover Messe , the world’s largest industrial technology trade fair, was a company called Filtroil, a small business in my city of Richmond, Virginia. Filtroil produces advanced filtration systems for industrial fluids, extending the life of machinery and reducing the amount of potentially harmful waste produced by manufacturers.

Filtration systems can help industrial companies increase productivity and decrease cost, and minimize environmental impact. That’s a major benefit for manufacturers, and the attendees at Hannover Messe took notice of Filtroil’s solutions.  Even before the show began, our Commercial Service team gathered more than 20 prospective leads for the company, and set up meetings between Filtroil CEO Jeremy Leahman and several qualified prospective buyers.

During the week of the show, Jeremy often had a line at his booth, as the thousands of Hannover Messe attendees passed through our U.S. Pavilions and saw innovative U.S. companies like Filtroil.

Just six weeks after the show, Filtroil had already secured enough new global business that the firm needed to hire additional staff to capitalize on these new opportunities.

That’s an excellent result from a trade show and a great benefit for a small company. It’s also great news for the environment, because both developed and developing economies are looking to improve productivity to meet increased global demand, and innovative products like Filtroil’s will help them do that without a commensurate increase in environmental impact.

It’s one small example of what I believe to be a unique trait of U.S. companies – we don’t just send products to a market and leave with the profits. American companies create solutions that help the world’s producers be more efficient and environmentally-friendly. I’m glad that companies like Filtroil joined our Hannover Messe delegation earlier this year to show the world how U.S. innovation keeps the world green.

Looking ahead, our team is ready to set up more connections at Hannover Messe 2017. The trade show will be held April 24-28 in Hannover, Germany. This will be seven leading trade shows and an investment summit all in one, with industry pavilions for digital factory, energy, industrial automation, industrial supply, motion/drive/automation, ComVac, and research and technology, connecting exhibitors to potential customers across relevant industry sectors. Reach out today and let us know you are interested in attending .

For any U.S. company looking to make a global impact, I encourage you to contact your nearest Commercial Service office and let us help you find your next international market.

This blog is a part of a monthly series highlighting the contributions of the Commerce Department’s agencies to the Open for Business Agenda. This month’s focus is Environment.