For Immediate Release October 2, 2019
CONGRESSMAN TOM RICE HONORS SOUTH CAROLINA FIRM FOR EXPORT SALES ACHIEVEMENT
Conway, SC – Congressman Tom Rice (SC – District 7) joined the US Commercial Service Charleston to recognize Zephyr International, Inc this morning. Zephyr International was acknowledged for the positive impact of trade on South Carolina and the local community. Congressman Rice and a representative from the US Commercial Service Charleston toured the facility in Horry County and presented the firm with an International Trade Administration Export Achievement Certificate.
“The company’s exports have driven the firm’s growth and created jobs here in Conway,” Congressman Rice said. “Given the current complexities of modern trade, we need to do everything we can to help U.S. businesses increase global sales and create new jobs through exporting. I am proud to present the Export Achievement Certificate to our district’sown Zephyr International today.”
“On behalf of the Horry County Council, staff and residents, we congratulate Zephyr International, Inc. on their International Trade Administration Export Achievement Certificate that is being awarded to them today by Congressman Tom Rice (SC-7). Horry County is proud to be the place Zephyr International, Inc. calls home. Through the growth in the firm’s exports they are saying yes to job creation in Horry County. We look forward to their continued success and positive impacts on trade in South Carolina,” Horry County Council Chairman, Johnny Gardner.
The Conway-based manufacturer has been in business seventeen years. The company exports helicopter hoist maintenance and repair equipment to markets around the world. Zephyr International has worked with U.S. Commercial Service international trade specialists to request assistance in exporting, understanding export product classification, export regulations, and documentation for a variety of markets. Most recently, the U.S. Commercial Service acted to liaison with German Customs Officials to allow one of Zephyr’s units to be forwarded duty-free to the German Bundespolizei following warranty repairs.
“Getting the correct exporting codes and documentation prepared is critical to the item being able to enter any country, in this case it was Germany. We value having the Department of Commerce as a resource available to you, in which we can count on when experiencing exporting issues. Exporting is important to our company, we are sole source of this equipment worldwide. It is important for us and our international customers, that I am able to export according to all the regulations in order for them to get the purchased equipment,” said Owner/Founder Elizabeth Bielsa-Mitchell.
“We’re proud that federal assistance enabled Zephyr to continue its successful exporting to Europe and around the world” said U.S. Department of Commerce’s Deputy Assistant Secretary Ana Guevara. “Our Commercial Service offices around the country help U.S. businesses assess their export potential and provide solutions that make their goals of operating internationally a reality.”
In 2018, exporters like Zephyr International supported thousands of jobs in South Carolina and contributed to the state’s nearly $35 billion in goods exports.
