Associated Industries of Massachusetts announced the winners of the 24^th annual AIM Global Trade Awards, which recognize Massachusetts companies and public agencies of all sizes that have demonstrated excellence in international business. The 2019 honorees represent both Massachusetts manufacturing and professional service industries and include: Crane Currency, Globalization Partners, and SMC Ltd.

“From the more traditional manufacturing activities to our talent economy, Massachusetts companies are innovative global leaders; international trade is a pivotal aspect of the Commonwealth’s overall business community,” said John Regan, President and CEO of AIM. “We are delighted to honor the 2019 winners, who from innovative product development to best-in-class manufacturing make a true impact on global business. In a time when international trade is at the forefront of national and international conversation, we are proud to show support for the important role of global business in our economy.”

The three Global Trade Award winners will be honored during the AIM Global Trade Symposium & Awards Breakfast on Thursday, November 7 from 7:30-10:30am at Granite Links Golf Club in Quincy.  The event will feature keynote speaker Martha Sullivan, President and CEO of Sensata Technologies.  A lively panel discussion highlighting the perspectives of several global business leaders including Harriet Cross, UK Consul General in Boston and Professor Ravi Ramamurti, Director of the Center for Emerging Markets at Northeastern University, will follow the keynote.

The AIM Global Trade Symposium & Awards is sponsored by Massport, The Provident Bank, MassMEP and M&T Bank.

Chairman’s Award: Crane Currency, Dalton & Boston

Founded in Massachusetts in 1801, Crane Currency is still headquartered in Massachusetts today. Crane Currency designs, manufactures, and prints high-quality and highly secure bank notes. The paper for all US currency is manufactured by Crane Currency’s 300 employees in Dalton.  The company has a long history of innovation and is known for its state-of-the-art security technology.  Crane Currency acquired a manufacturing facility in Sweden in 2002 and, most recently, built a state-of-the-art printing and technical center in Malta, where it produces bank notes for the central banks of over 50 countries.  Annemarie Watson is president of Crane Currency.

https://www.cranecurrency.com/

Diplomat’s Award: Globalization Partners, Boston

Globalization Partners, a global professional employer organization founded in Boston in 2011 by CEO Nicole Sahin, has grown rapidly in just eight years and now has regional hub offices in eight international locations: United Kingdom, Germany, United Arab Emirates, India, Shanghai, Singapore, Brazil, and Mexico. Approximately half of the company’s nearly 200 worldwide employees work in the Boston headquarters.  The services and technology platform developed by Globalization Partners enables companies to hire talent in more than 170 countries within days, without the need to set up costly international subsidiaries.  The company provides a cost-efficient solution for US businesses wanting to test new markets.

https://www.globalization-partners.com/

Ambassador’s Award: SMC, Ltd., Devens, MA

SMC Ltd. is a global contract manufacturer of single use, finished medical devices.  The company was founded in 1988 by Chetan N. Patel, a graduate of UMass Lowell who grew up in India. SMC has over 350 employees in Massachusetts and 2,000 employees worldwide.  More than half of the company’s clients are headquartered internationally and include well-known European pharmaceutical and diagnostic companies.  SMC, with support from MassDevelopment, recently invested in a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Devens where the company does design, molding and assembly.  Its high-speed automation processes enabled the company to extend its product line to include drug delivery within devices.  Approximately one-third of product that is manufactured in Massachusetts goes to international markets.

https://www.smcltd.com/

The AIM International Business Council helps Massachusetts companies engage in international trade and expand their global business activities. Through seminars, referrals, and e-newsletters, the AIM International Business Council provides companies with the resources they need.  Visit www.aimnet.org/international.