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MELIA BOWIELocal manufacturers move deeper into the global economy, spreading the county's name to more distant points on the compass.
Exporting is "in" among Pasco County manufacturers.
For the first time since economic leaders began conducting local manufacturing surveys in the late 1980s, sales from Pasco exports to foreign countries topped those of local and regional sales.
Pasco manufacturers reported nearly 12 percent, or $62.8-million of their sales, came from foreign exports during 2003. Just over 2.5 percent were from sales within Pasco County and another 4.3 percent came from sales sold elsewhere in the Tampa Bay region.
The numbers are part of a survey conducted in January by the Pasco Economic Development Council. A total of 56 manufacturers responded.
Combined, their total reported sales exceeded $537-million.
The bulk - more than $366-million - came from sales to national customers.
But a growing trend toward exporting is emerging in the data, economic leaders said.
"It's a global economy" and Pasco is joining in, said Chip Howison, president of the EDC's board of directors and vice president of Pall Aeropower, which manufactures filters for the aerospace industry.
The exporting trend is significant because it means new dollars coming into the community, said John Walsh, the EDC's existing industry manager.
The phenomenon also chips away at Pasco County's rural reputation.
"There are a number of manufacturers here that ship products all around the world," said Dennis Bulin, owner of Zeagle Systems Inc. in Zephyrhills. The company manufactures scuba gear and began exporting in the mid 1980s to Japan and England.
Now "that part of our business (exporting) is growing more than our domestic sales at the moment," Bulin said. About 25 percent of Zeagle's business is exports to other countries, where distributors then sell the equipment to dive shops.
This month, Zeagle Systems received certification to sell one of its newer products to more than a dozen European Union countries including France and Italy.
"So we're looking at more growth," he said.
EDC staff said Pasco needs to attract more companies that ship internationally: New markets means new dollars.
However, Walsh noted that this year's survey is only a "snapshot" of Pasco's manufacturing industry. Each year different companies fill out the survey, which can affect export sales figures.
"It's not comparing apples to apples," Walsh cautioned. He also pointed out that some who export overseas may do so via a national company.
But consistently over the past few years, exporting numbers have climbed in Pasco, where companies manufacture goods ranging from aerospace parts and ceramics to ornamental aluminum fencing and medical supplies.
Widell Industries in Port Richey manufactures specialized cutting tools. Although the bulk of its sales are national, the company also exports its products internationally.
"We do some business in Australia, South Africa, South America and some of the Asian countries. Canada, too," said Jim Duffy, Widell's operations manager.
The advantage of selling internationally? "Usually when we export, we're selling directly to end-users so our profit margin is a little higher," Duffy said.
- Melia Bowie covers business in Pasco County. She can be reached in west Pasco at 869-6229, or toll-free at 1-800-333-7505, ext. 6229. Her e-mail address is bowie@sptimes.com