The World Trade Club congratulates the winners of the 2008 Governor's Trader of the Year and Emerging Trader of the Year Awards.  Each award recognizes a Washington-based company that has significantly contributed to the expansion of Washington's international trade.   The Governor's Trader of the Year is PACCAR Inc, based in Bellevue, WA.  PACCAR is a Fortune 150 global technology company that manufactures high quality commercial vehicles around the world under the Kenworth, Peterbilt and DAF nameplates.  nLIGHT Corporation, based in Vancouver, WA, is the winner of the Governor's Emerging Trader of the Year Award.  nLIGHT Corporation is a privately held company established in 2000 that develops and manufactures photonics modules for industrial, defense, and medical applications. 

"The World Trade Club takes great pride in being able to present the Governor's annual awards," said Mike Trail, President of the Club.  "Washington State has a thriving trading business community and the World Trade Club has been integral in helping build and shape that community for over 60 years now."

Washington Governor Christine Gregoire presented the awards to these impressive companies during Washington State Trade Week 2008 at the Governor's Trader of the Year Awards Reception on March 20 in Tacoma, WA.  Click here to view photos of the awards reception.

The World Trade Club received applications from companies representing a variety of industries, and all with a strong presence in the international marketplace.  Applicants consistently demonstrated innovation, commitment to community service, and strong international market penetration.

About the Award winners

PACCAR Inc – Recipient of the Governor’s Trader of the Year Award

PACCAR  is a global technology company that  builds the highest-quality commercial vehicles in the world. With a legacy of more than 100-plus years of success, PACCAR’s mission is based on unequivocal integrity, commitment to quality, and profitable growth.  In addition to manufacturing commercial vehicles, PACCAR Parts, based in Renton, WA distributes aftermarket parts and provides leading customer support to its dealers through a world network of Parts Distribution Centers.  PACCAR Financial Services provides finance, lease and insurance services to dealers and customers in 18 countries including a portfolio of more than 170,000 trucks and trailers in excess of $10 billion.  PACCAR, which was founded in 1905, has approximately 22,000 employees worldwide, with more than 2,500 employed in Washington State.

PACCAR International (PACCINT) began its international marketing efforts in 1972 and today the company has become one of the largest exporters of capital goods in North America, selling products in more than 100 countries. PACCAR opened a sales and purchasing office in Shanghai, China, in 2007 to complement its office in Beijing. The office is focused on sourcing parts for worldwide manufacturing and aftermarket sales, as well as the sale of PACCAR powertrain components to customers in Asia.

PACCAR had an excellent year in 2007, achieving its second highest revenue of $15.2 billion and net income of $1.2 billion due to its global diversification, superior product quality, technology-led process efficiency and growing aftermarket parts and financial services business.  The company set market share records in North America, Australia, and Mexico as well as record industry sales for commercial vehicles above 15 tons in Western and Central Europe.

 nLIGHT Corporation – Recipient of the Governor’s Emerging Trader of the Year Award

With state-of-the-art manufacturing in over 100,000 sq. ft. of facilities in Vancouver, WA, Hillsboro, OR, Lohja, Finland and Shanghai, China, nLIGHT is a leader in key growth markets in photonics.  nLIGHT has grown an average of 70 percent per year for the past five years and has been named the fastest growing technology company in the Pacific Northwest in Deloitte and Touche’s Rising Star category for 2005, 2006 and 2007.

Over 30 percent of nLIGHT’s sales are from international customers, primarily from China, Italy, Germany, and Japan.  In 2003, they started with a very small presence in China, in both the manufacturing and selling of semiconductors in the Chinese market.  Today, they are the number one company in the Chinese market, with 40 percent of the market share. 

In October 2007, nLIGHT acquired leading specialty fiber manufacturer LIEKKI Corporation based in Lohja, Finland. With this acquisition, nLIGHT plans to integrate core technology for the rapidly growing markets for semiconductor and fiber lasers that will bring compelling solutions to the industry.