The Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) today announced its International Trade division’s 2021 GLOBE Award recipients. This state-led awards program highlights Georgia companies that expanded sales to new international markets in the previous year. During 2020, a year marked by pandemic-caused disruptions and uncertainty, the 17 GLOBE winners exported to 50 distinct countries.

“It’s always a pleasure to celebrate the resilience and work of our Georgia companies, and especially with so many of this year’s winners being small businesses,” said Georgia Governor Brian P. Kemp. “The number of Georgia companies that transformed obstacles into opportunities again last year is truly incredible, and we will continue to help provide support to these hardworking Georgians through our award-winning international trade team at the Georgia Department of Economic Development.”

The 2021 GLOBE Award winners come from across the State of Georgia, and more than 80% of this year’s winners are small businesses with fewer than 100 employees. Additionally, more than 70% of the winners have worked with GDEcD’s International Trade team on entering and expanding to new markets for at least three consecutive years. 

New this year, two companies also received a separate Global Grit Award for earning five consecutive GLOBE distinctions from the State of Georgia: Hydro Dynamics, Inc. in Rome, and Richland Distilling Company in Richland.

“During 2020, Georgia for the first time became a top 10 exporting state – a major recognition that would not have been possible without companies like our GLOBE Award winners,” said GDEcD Commissioner Pat Wilson. “In a year unlike any other, these Georgia companies adapted and diversified. Congratulations to our award winners, and a special thanks to the International Trade team at the Department for their tireless efforts to help businesses grow and succeed in new international markets.” 

Three outstanding companies were also recognized as 2021 Exporters of the Year in the small, medium, and large company categories. Additionally, three GLOBE winners were first time exporters in 2020: Emrgy, Inc. in Atlanta, Storm Water Systems in Cleveland, and United Spirit of America in Peachtree City.

The 2021 Exporters of the Year are:

• Exporter of the Year, small company (1-20 employees): Inno Concepts Inc. dba Cocoa Town, Alpharetta

• Exporter of the Year, mid-size company (21-100 employees): Quantum Aviation Solutions, Inc., Duluth

• Exporter of the Year, large company (101+ employees): CentricsIT, Norcross

*** Additional details about the winners follow below. ***

“I’m very proud of each of our GLOBE Award winners, this year in particular. Our exporters are committed to expanding their markets, and it’s a pleasure for our team to be able to provide them with customized assistance that helps them execute their export strategies,” said Deputy Commissioner for International Trade Mary Waters. “I’m also delighted to see so many repeat GLOBE Award winners who continue to expand to new countries and increase their global reach to new customers.”

The complete list of the 2021 GLOBE Award winners: 

• AGRI International LLC, Marietta

• Americo Manufacturing Inc., Acworth

• CentricsIT, Norcross

• DeLong’s Gizzard Equipment, Inc., Macon

• Emrgy Inc., Atlanta

• Hydro Dynamics, Inc., Rome

• Inno Concepts Inc. dba CocoaTown, Alpharetta

• Osborne Wood Products Inc., Toccoa

• Petrolern, LLC, Brookhaven

• Plurium Technologies, LLC, Peachtree Corners

• Quantum Aviation Solutions, Inc., Duluth

• Storm Water Systems, Cleveland

• The Seydel Companies, Pendergrass

• Trans Globe, Woodstock

• United Spirit of America, Peachtree City

• Universal VAT Services, Atlanta

• ZCorum, Alpharetta

The GLOBE Awards program began in 2014 as a way to recognize local businesses contributing to Georgia’s economic growth through global trade. Recognized for their 2020 export activity, this year’s GLOBE winners collectively expanded their sales to six continents and 50 separate countries during calendar year 2020, despite the COVID-19 pandemic.

Exporter of the Year, small company: Inno Concepts Inc. dba CocoaTown
The company’s “Empowering Chocopreneurs” webinar series saw international engagement from 25-40 different counties and helped increase its Q4 sales in 2020. Despite facing difficulties throughout the pandemic, CocoaTown was able to enter five new export markets. By changing its focus from being solely a supplier to becoming a valued resource and partner, CocoaTown demonstrated creativity, commitment, and leadership.

Exporter of the Year, mid-size company: Quantum Aviation Solutions, Inc.
Quantum Aviation’s sales are almost exclusively international (85%), yet even during the pandemic it was able to secure new deals. Additionally, it adapted and modified its distribution model to maintain existing services remotely. The company‘s expansion into new markets in an industry that was heavily impacted in 2020 was a significant achievement.

Exporter of the Year, large company: CentricsIT
During the pandemic, CentricsIT was able to leverage its business model to generate cost-savings and efficiencies for its customers. It also utilized its built-in adaptability to help clients deal with situations that were complicated by the pandemic, underscoring their long-term commitment to global customers and continued growth.

GDEcD’s nationally recognized International Trade team is committed to creating opportunities for Georgia businesses to increase exports across the world through meaningful partnerships, unique international connections, and expansive export resources. GDEcD’s export team works in all industry sectors statewide and provides unbiased, solutions-focused trade consultations to Georgia companies seeking to expand their global presence. For additional information about the state’s International Trade team, visit www.georgia.org/international/trade.