WTC executive director talks trade

Anthony Hemstad joined the World Trade Center Tacoma as executive director in 2009. The News Tribune recently asked him to speak on world trade, the Globe Awards and the vision he has for trade in the Puget Sound area.

“Washington is the most trade-dependent state in the country, and even though trade is important, it’s underappreciated. The Globe Awards were designed to let people know that trade is important. We have local companies that are excelling in international trade, and they deserve attention.”

“The number of companies in the U.S. that are involved in international trade is too low. Some companies think it’s too hard to sell to China, or England, or wherever. It can be done, and people are succeeding.”

“We have added some aspects to the Globes in recognition of how trade is changing. For example, we have a service provider. While traditionally we would think of widgets, now we can think of anything – legal, health care, architecture, universities. All can export their services, and that can be an area of growth for Greater Tacoma.”

“For the Trade Center, we’re hoping we can announce that we have quadrupled in size (since 2009). Right now, we’re six companies short of quadrupling.

“We’ve become much more active, with a higher profile. Also, companies are looking around and saying to themselves, ‘Where are the growth prospects?’ Then you look overseas and China is growing 9 percent, or Brazil by 7 percent. It’s easier to sell into a growing economy. That’s why, for so many companies, if they want to have growth, you have to look internationally. Companies are joining us because they want to do that.”

“Also, international groups are looking to invest here. I think we’re just at the start of what’s going to be an avalanche of what will be Chinese money. We get investors here on a regular basis who are kicking tires. That could be a huge shot in the arm for the local economy.”

“For the awards, for importers, we ended up having two winners. We have Costco, which is gigantic. They make their own weather patterns. We also wanted to recognize Smith-Western. Both are great, but different. Smith-Western truly proves that you don’t have to be (big) to do well internationally. They’re an example of how to integrate international suppliers into your product line, and excel.

“I think Brown & Haley is better known than Tacoma is. We say Almond Roca, and people know Almond Roca. It’s always a stop before we head out. We gift-wrap a lot of boxes of Almond Roca. Brown & Haley is a wonderful success story. They definitely have had a vision, and they have stuck with it. As exports have become an important part of their business plan, they have thrived. That needs to be applauded.”