Each year, The World Trade Center of Greater Philadelphia recognizes local companies for their participation and dedication to bringing greater economic prosperity to the region. The 11th Annual World Trade Center’s Dinner and Awards Ceremony recognized three local companies. The 2013 Member Company of the Year from New Jersey was Epicore BioNetworks, Inc., a software solutions company. K’NEX Brands L.P. received the Member Company Award for Pennsylvania. Founded in 1992, K’NEX Brands has become the world’s most innovative construction toy company. Over 95% of its parts are manufacturer by The Rodon Group, a sister company of K'NEX, and has manufactured over 31 billion parts for the K’NEX building toy system.
Anthony Bartolomeo, Chairman of the WTCGP stated “We are honoring two outstanding member companies this evening. K’NEX Brands, LP is being recognized as our 2013 Member Company of the Year for Pennsylvania. Recognized as one of the most innovative and fastest growing construction toy companies in the world, K’NEX is currently distributed in over 230 International markets, with international markets expected to total 15% of their overall sales in 2013.” Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter noted “K’NEX Brands has received national recognition from the Obama Administration for their efforts to return manufacturing to Pennsylvania from international markets.”
The WTCGP acts as a catalyst for developing international markets for local companies. According to their website “For over a decade the World Trade Center of Greater Philadelphia (WTCGP) has served as a single, powerful source of international business support for the region. We can help you rise to the exciting opportunities that globalization offers by providing international trade assistance and key global relationships to help you capture your share of these promising markets. In the past ten years, we have helped companies in Pennsylvania and New Jersey generate over $800 million in incremental export sales, and are on-track to hit $1 billion in 2013.”
Pennsylvania alone exported approximately $39 billions dollars worth of commodities in 2012 and ranked 11th in Total State Exports for 2012. Top importing companies include our neighbors Canada and Mexico along with China, The U.K, Japan and Germany.
Chemicals, machinery, computers & electronic products, transportation equipment, electrical equipment and food, were the top exporting industries. Greatest gains were seen in food, fabricated metals and manufactured commodities (such as toys).
Our President and CEO Michael Araten was honored to accept the award on behalf of K’NEX Brands. L.P. As a member of American Made Matters, we support the advancement of American Manufacturing and its impact our local Pennsylvania economy. We look forward to continuing our participation on the world stage-- representing our great state one construction toy at a time.
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