Prime Tanning agricultural export award

Prime Tanning Corporation of St Joseph, the largest wet-blue facility in the US, have been chosen as Missouri's top agricultural exporter for 2005. The company were picked from more than 600 Missouri business involved in exporting agricultural products. Governor Matt Blunt presented the Exporter of the Year award to Gary Gagnon, vice president/general manager, and Craig Scotland, sales manager, during the May 10 ceremony in Jefferson City. The award, administered by the Missouri Department of Agriculture, is given each year to a Missouri firm that has demonstrated successful overseas marketing strategies and a commitment to international trade. Prime Tanning began in 1910 when a young Russian immigrant came to the US with $40 and started his leather business in the basement of a relative's home. Today, Prime have 220 employees that produce more than 3 million lb of wet-blue hides/week for customers in the handbag, footwear, upholstery and military industries. Additionally Prime have earned ISO 14001 certification at their St Joseph plant as a result of managing operations to minimise the impact on the environment. Prime have also received ISO 9001 for their quality management system. The nominees are judged on management's commitment to export marketing, use of international promotions, advertising and innovative techniques to position products; flexibility to alter products or management structure for export markets; use of federal and state international marketing programmes and overall contributions to Missouri's economy.