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Tag: Virginia Leaders in Export Trade

Manufacturer plans $5M expansion in Scott County

VFP, a manufacturer of enclosures used to protect critical infrastructure, will invest $5 million to expand its Scott County facility, a move expected to create 50 jobs, Gov. Glenn Youngkin announced Monday. 

The expansion will allow VFP to respond to a growing data center market. 

“Virginia’s robust data center industry relies on manufacturers like VFP, and those synergies have created a robust ecosystem of partners and suppliers,” Youngkin stated in a news release.  

Founded in 1965 in Roanoke County, VFP began manufacturing products in Scott County in 1997. It currently employs 350 workers at its campus in Duffield, according to Scott File, its president and CEO. 

A man wearing a blue blazer.
Scott File is president and CEO of VFP. Photo courtesy VFP

Workers at the employee-owned company, manufacture a variety of products using materials ranging from heavyweight concrete to lightweight flexible metal. VFP shelters are used primarily by utility providers, municipalities, data centers and broadband providers. The products are used on all seven continents. 

 “Since relocating to Scott County over 25 years ago, VFP has experienced continued growth across all market sectors,” Scott File, president and CEO of VFP, stated in the release. “VFP attributes this success to the loyalty and talent of our employee-owners who share the common goal of supplying industry-leading, quality products and services to our valued customers.”

In 2008, VFP participated in the Virginia Leaders in Export Trade Program, an international business acceleration program offered by the Virginia Economic Development Partnership. It’s also part of the VEDP’s Supply Chain Optimization Program, which helps companies evaluate their supply chain management and import processes. 

The VEDP worked with Scott County to secure the project for Virginia, which competed with Louisiana and Missouri. 

Youngkin approved a $75,000 grant from the Commonwealth’s Opportunity Fund to assist Scott County with this project. Support for VFP job creation will be provided through the Virginia Talent Accelerator Program. The program, created by VEDP in collaboration with higher education partners, offers recruitment and training services at no cost to the company.

10 Va. companies graduate VEDP export program

Ten Virginia companies are the latest to graduate from the Virginia Economic Development Partnership’s Virginia Leaders in Export Trade (VALET) program, which helps companies work on international export growth strategies, Gov. Glenn Youngkin announced this week.

The two-year VALET program helps Virginia companies that have established domestic operations use international exporting as a growth strategy. Businesses receive assistance developing international sales plans from international service providers, meetings with potential partners, educational events and customized market research. On average, participants see a 78% increase in international sales.

The program, introduced in 2002, now has more than 350 graduates. Currently, 51 companies are participating in the program. Since its inception, VALET has accepted more than 415 Virginia companies.

“Each of the 10 graduating companies represents a Virginia success story, and we commend their accomplishments achieved in the global marketplace since joining VALET two years ago,” Youngkin said in a statement. “This award-winning program accelerates the development of international business by connecting companies with the practical tools needed for successful export sales, which in turn creates jobs and grows Virginia’s economy.”

The graduating companies are:

  • American K-9 Interdiction LLC, Isle of Wight County
  • BecTech Inc., Alexandria
  • Embody Inc., Norfolk
  • Ensco Inc., Fairfax County
  • Har-Tru LLC, Fluvanna County
  • Kapsuun Group, Fairfax County
  • Moog Inc., Montgomery County
  • Morphix Technologies, Virginia Beach
  • PaneraTech Inc., Fairfax County
  • T.R.U. Ball/Axcel Archery, Amherst County

VEDP has a network of international market research consultants covering 120 countries.

“When Virginia businesses expand their target markets overseas and increase revenues, the commonwealth’s economy grows,” VEDP President and CEO Jason El Koubi said in a statement. “The VALET program has helped more than 350 companies successfully navigate the changing global marketplace and expand international sales over the past two decades, directly contributing to Virginia’s economic vitality. We are excited to see the export growth these graduates will experience as a result of their time in the program.”

Virginia exports more than $35 billion in goods and services annually, supporting more than 257,000 jobs and generating $2 billion in annual tax revenue, according to a news release.