The United States dumps more than 300 million scrap tires a year. These tires collect stagnant water, breeding disease-spreading mosquitoes and attracting vermin such as rats. When set ablaze, dumped tires are additionally devastating to the environment. E&G Coatings addresses this problem with its TIRE2COAT © energy-saving roof coating made from recycled tires. The product, used in San Antonio and Austin, is extending its reach throughout Latin America with the help of the International Trade Center.
“E&G Coatings has reached impressive levels of growth because of the tremendous support of the International Trade Center,” said business partner Victor Cantu. “Their resources have helped us put our finger is on the pulse of foreign markets, enabling us to spread our reach beyond U.S. borders.”

The environmental appeal of the roof coating, combined with its money-saving benefits, makes TIRE2COAT© a revolutionary product. The culmination of more than 15 years of research and development in Mexico, TIRE2COAT © covers the rooftops of businesses, schools and homes from Monterrey to Veracruz. McDonald’s Mexico, which uses the product on its roofs, has formally recognized the product for its sustainability. Puerto Rico’s chain of McDonald’s restaurants recently joined the corporation’s use of the product.

E&G Coatings, developed by business partners Victor Cantu, Alfredo Valdivia and Victor Pagaza, started working with the Small Business Development Center in May 2009. With the help of International Trade Center consultant Minerva Garcia, E&G Coatings’ products have spread to El Salvador, Guatemala, Puerto Rico, and soon Costa Rica. The company now has partnerships with dozens of distributors.

In addition to helping solve the scrap tire problem, TIRE2COAT © reflects heat from the sun, saving homes and businesses extensive energy costs. The only patented product of this kind in North America, TIRE2COAT © is purely a green product, consisting of recycled water and non-toxic products. The product comprises 40 percent tires and 60 percent water and non-toxic resins.

“Not only can cool roofs slash your energy bill, rubber roof coating preserves your roof and rolls right on top of your current surface – no stripping,” said Cantu, the CEO of the company. This reflective roof coating has multiple uses – anything you need weatherproofed can be covered by TIRE2COAT©.

Each 5-gallon bucket of the product is the equivalent of 1.5 tires — 1,200 square feet of roofing spares 15 tires from reaching landfills or illegal dump sites. The amount of product to cover an average fence saves 15 to 20 tires from dumping. The Environmental Protection Agency reports that roof sealants, when combined with proper insulation and energy-efficient windows, can cut energy costs by 50 percent.

The product, resistant to rain, sunlight, heat, and ultraviolet (UV) rays, can be applied to a variety of surfaces including concrete, tile, metal, walls, and wood. Those who use TIRE2COAT © for fence staining are spared from having to stain their fences every two years.

In addition to cooling roofs and staining fences, the product coats sidewalks between school portable buildings to protect students from slipping. San Antonio’s Northside Independent School District uses the product on its roofs.

VOS WAS FOUNDED TO ANSWER A SIMPLE QUESTION: CAN PEOPLE AFFORD TO CARE?

VOS believes most people have a genuine desire to help others and the planet, but unfortunately the majority of these people don’t have the time or resources to have a significant impact on their own. Through their eco-friendly sandal and their Two Steps At A Time™ social initiative, VOS offers everyone the possibility to help others, keep the planet clean and they do it without asking people to spend more than what they usually spend.

The vision initially started 10 years ago in Brazil when José Alejandro saw the potential in a particular sandal he had not readily seen available in North America at the time. Over the next decade, he coupled this initial vision with his lifelong exposure to the developed and developing worlds and his keen consciousness of the natural environment that surrounds our daily lives.The initial product is a non-thong style sandal with a signature cross-over design made from 100% recyclable natural rubber engineered with a tire traction under sole for a secure grip. The initial collection is offered in a variety of eye-catching color combinations, which are readily available at www.vosflips.com.

José Alejandro genuinely believes in social responsibility and helping others in need, and he believes most people naturally want to help others but many times they do not know how to help. VOS is not only an eco-friendly brand but it also supports a social initiative. In partnership with Soles4Souls, for every pair of sandals sold, a pair will be given to a person in need in an under developed community, initially in Guatemala, where the product is currently being produced. The vision is for this social initiative to expand throughout all of Latin America and then into other regions of the world and to regions in need due to unforeseen natural disasters.

For every sandal that a consumer purchases they are also helping provide basic health care and education to the natural rubber producing communities that cultivate the raw material for the sandals. In partnership with AgroSalud and the Guatemalan National Rubber Association, natural rubber producing communities are bestowed clinics which provide basic health care and teach every day personal hygiene and education.
Having a recyclable sandal in a market filled with non-recyclable sandals helps differentiate the VOS brand, but that’s just half the battle. VOS has also designed a recycling program to truly fulfill its commitment to recycle its every step by offering consumers close to 900 recycling bins all over the United States. Thanks to the high quality of their sandals and their partnership with Soles4Souls, sandals that are gently worn will be donated to someone in need and worn out sandals will be recycled.

José Alejandro has worked with the International Trade Center by participating in training programs that provided him with in-depth training on import-related topics such as supplier management and quality control, import process, understanding US customs, paying for imports. Sr. International Trade Consultant Berenice Carmona has provided José Alejandro with in-depth market information, import regulations, assistance with distributor contract with manufacturer and helped him select the most appropriate trade shows for his products. Berenice also provided assistance in product marketing and finding potential buyers.

“We believe that it’s important to have short and long term goals in our business activities and social efforts if we want to operate successfully in the international business realm.” said José Alejandro Flores, President of DeFlores, LLC and Founder of VOS. “The unparalleled support and counsel provided by the International Trade Center has surpassed our expectations and is an undeniable pillar supporting the foundation of our organization.”

The Kiolbassa tale of interaction with the SBDCs at the UTSA Institute for Economic Development began in 2002. Michael worked with the San Antonio SBDC to secure an SBA 504 loan guaranteed loan to modernize their manufacturing facility and focus more attention on sausage production. With this enhanced capacity, Michael saw an opportunity to expand sales into international markets.

In 2005, participation in the SBDC International Trade Center’s Minority Export Training program (MET) provided Kiolbassa with in-depth training on export-related topics such as export market entry strategies, pricing, payment methods, and shipping. Sr. International Trade Consultant Monica Alcoz has provided Kiolbassa with in-depth market information on demand for sausages in Mexico, distribution channels to selling to retail chain stores, restaurants and hotels as well as with import regulations to get his products to Mexico. ITC consultant Alcoz assisted her client with the development of Kiolbassa’s export marketing plan, helped him select the most appropriate trade shows for his products in Mexico and prepared the budget for all the future export marketing expenses. “From the assistance we received (through the MET) we made significant progress in our work to begin exporting our products to Mexico”– Michael Kiolbassa, Owner.

Kiolbassa has now been in Mexico for just over 2 years with a variety of smoked sausages and fresh Mexican-style chorizo. Through the years Kiolbassa has had a strong partnership with HEB and together they have strived to give the customer the best value for their money. “Through innovation and great partnerships, Kiolbassa can grow in Mexico and develop loyalty from our fans.” – Michael Johnson, Director of Marketing and Branding for Kiolbassa.

You can visit Kiolbassa at www.kiolbassa.com.

Most countries lack Transtec’s personnel’s expertise, creating a dramatic need for their services internationally, resulting in projects of fifteen countries on four countries. The International Trade Center has worked with Transtec since 2005 to identify international opportunities through market research. As company president, Dan Rozycki, notes, “With the help of the International Trade Center at UTSA, we get the data we need to understand a market 10,000 miles away, right from our desks”. The result has been consistent growth of the company’s international business as well as its reputation globally.

International customers are a major and increasingly strong part of BCI’s customer base and John Kenemore, President of BCI, is strongly committed to growing its international business. He participated in the Export Leaders, a program through the City of San Antonio’s Department of International Affairs and the SBDC Southwest-Border International Trade Center (and sponsored by the SBA) to increase his understanding of exporting and how his company could benefit.

Mr. Kenemore is a fluent Spanish-speaker with considerable experience in Latin America prior to founding BCI. His ability to directly interact with customers in Mexico, Central America, and elsewhere has allowed him to understand how these markets work and to position BCI to provide a higher service level than previously existed in these markets. This understanding and a high level of persistence in pursing international business has paid off for BCI. Exports have grown at a double digit rate since 2004 and account for a high percentage of the company’s total sales.

The International Trade Center UTSA has worked with Battery Concepts International since 2004, initially through Export Leader Training and subsequently by providing market research on Mexico and Central American markets.

Founded in 1993, Austinuts is an Austin-based company specializing in processing fresh nuts into dry roasted gourmet nuts. Austinuts began as a retail outlet in the Texas capital City and the company has since expanded into the wholesale sector, selling to a multitude of customers such as convenience stores, gift shops and national grocery store chains.

Austinuts prides itself for utilizing a centuries-old roasting method, where no oils, additives nor preservatives are added, yielding more natural flavored, better tasting and crunchier roasted nuts than the regular oil-roasted kind commonly produced in North America.

In 2006, opportunities to expand into foreign markets were too good to ignore. Mr. Doron Ilai, the company owner, had the vision to further his export knowledge in order to become successful in the global market. Doron decided to participate in the Minority Export Training Program (MET) offered by the International Trade Center of San Antonio, and sponsored by the Foreign Agricultural Services and the Southern U.S. Trade Association in partnership with the Texas Department of Agriculture.

Five members of Austinuts participated in this customized training through nine different sessions held at their processing facility in Manor, Texas. Senior International Trade Consultant, Monica Alcoz, walked Austinuts personnel through the step-by-step process of exporting, from beneficiating of the North American Free Trade Agreement to learning how to limit their exposure to foreign financial risk.

The assistance did not end there. Follow-through came in the form of constant communication with owner Doron Ilai and V.P. Ramiro Sanchez. The International Trade Center continues to provide on-going support in areas such as supply chain, import regulations and standards, free trade agreements, export sanctions and channels of distribution; key information is always available to them in a timely manner. Moreover, the company was able to identify further export opportunities and take advantage of the SUSTA, Market Access Program, which reimburses companies up to 50% of international marketing expenses. With the customized export training under their belt and marketing funds secured, Austinuts was able to participate in their first international trade show, the “Salon International de l’Alimentation” in Montreal, Canada. The International Trade Center assisted Austinuts in the planning and executing of pre-show, during the show and post-show strategies. They were able to learn about the competition in the nuts industry as well as products and market trends. Furthermore, thanks to the many meetings with Canadian buyers they were able to identify potential agents and distributors for the Canadian market and promising negotiations are ongoing.

As Ramiro Sanchez, with Austinuts, likes to point out: “Austinuts has benefited greatly from the Minority Export Training provided by the International Trade Center. Our export sales have doubled and the program has allowed Austinuts to fully understand the potential of exporting to other markets. Our trainer was very knowledgeable and responsive while always demonstrating a good attitude and patience. Austinuts is grateful for the opportunity to participate in this vital program”.

The International Trade Center is very proud of Austinuts. With its already acclaimed top-line of roasted nuts it took the courageous steps to learn and train its personnel in exporting and is now successfully pursuing new international accounts.

** Monica Alcoz, Sr. International Business Consultant, International Trade Center & Ramiro Sanchez, VP, Austinuts.