In 2022, the Georgia Department of Economic Development’s International Trade Division recognized PureAir Filtration as an Exporter of the Year in the mid-sized company category. This company was one of three chosen from the 2022 GLOBE Awards program winners for their success in global exporting. Learn more about PureAir Filtration and their impressive global operation below.

Who They Are

This Atlanta-based company provides custom engineered and manufactured gas phase filtration solutions for the removal of corrosive gases, toxic vapors, and odors. Its systems are designed to provide corrosion control for electronics at industrial sites, protect people from toxic gas leaks, preserve priceless works of art and historical documents, and improve air quality by removing nuisance odors and pollutants.

Why They Won

PureAir has international customers in over 60 countries around the world, which is a testament not only to the company’s dedication to international sales, but also to its effective marketing strategies and its focus on collaborative relationship-building with its clients. These practices have led PureAir to see large sales in markets that U.S. companies often have difficulty entering. PureAir Filtration has demonstrated success in exporting and is hugely effective at what it does.

Q&A interview with President and CEO Kevin Jameson

How long has your company been exporting, and what motivated you to start selling internationally?

We started exporting to customers outside the U.S., in 2004. Our top export markets are Canada, Chile, China, Netherlands, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and UAE. We became motivated to start selling internationally because we have always wanted to create a diverse customer base that serves the needs of our distributors and consultants abroad.

What is the biggest lesson your company has learned about exporting?

Understanding the cultural differences and business expectations along with developing relationships with the distributors and end-users is paramount. Often, we realize communication can be a barrier in the beginning, so we rely on local contacts to understand the market, local laws, and regulations. The approval processes might throw you a couple of curve balls like additional certifications and modifications to documents and product labels, but once you penetrate the market, moving forward confidently is the ultimate reward.

How has the Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) International Trade team helped your company? Have any other outside resources helped the business achieve success internationally?

GDEcD primarily helps us in providing data we need, training webinars on various topics, and connecting us with partners for business development.

What export challenges have you faced during Covid-19, and how have you responded?

Covid brought its own unique set of challenges. We are still experiencing supply chain delays on equipment and chemicals that impact delivery dates for projects. All we can do is remind customers these issues are out of our control and work to adjust due dates to accommodate their needs. Pivoting to find new vendors and flexibility is truly what has made the difference overall.

What advice would you give to companies that are just starting to export?

We advise companies to reach out to GDEcD for help and guidance. The work will vary depending on the country and market, the approval process may be long and complex with months of paperwork, but the result is so rewarding and leads to unanticipated sales and new customers. Yes, it is a steep learning process, but it enables you to modify internal processes that hopefully make the next country seem not as daunting.

Are you a Georgia business looking for help growing your international sales? Find out how Georgia’s International Trade Team can help at www.Georgia.org/Trade.