Inventors of Greenies -- Nation's #1 Dog Treat -- Receive `Small Business Exporter of the Year' Award from National District Export Council.

MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- Every dog has his day, and today a company that cleans dogs' teeth and freshens their breath is having theirs. The National District Export Council today presented its inaugural "Small Business Exporter of the Year Award" to S&M NuTec, LLC of North Kansas City, Missouri. The company makes Greenies(R), the country's number-one retailing dog treat. U.S. Department of Commerce Undersecretary for International Trade Grant Aldonas presented the award.

Jim Frierson, Vice-Chair of the Tennessee Export Council, said this year's judges were "extraordinarily impressed" with S&M NuTec's use of scientific research and market strategies that include a tight network of nearby regional suppliers. "The S&M NuTec story is one of rapid export market introduction and acceptance by veterinarians and pet owners," he said. "Even more impressive is that new pet product lines are in the pipeline. This is a company that refuses to rest on its hind feet. There are good lessons in this story for American businesses that choose to compete globally."

From its modest start in 1996, the North Kansas City, Missouri, company has grown to 56 employees, with more than 300 local outsourced jobs. S&M NuTec exports Greenies(R) to 44 countries -- with exports accounting for about 12 percent of the firm's total sales. Among the firm's key markets are Japan, Canada, Australia, and Taiwan. The company has benefited from export counseling, market research, trade events, and other assistance from the Commercial Service's Kansas City U.S. Export Assistance Center.

"My wife and I invented Greenies(R) to cure our own dog of his doggie-breath and now we've sold more than 260 million Greenies(R) all over the world," said Joe Roetheli, founder, S&M NuTec. "We'd like to thank the U.S. Commercial Service for its assistance in spreading Greenies(R) around the globe."

Greenies(R) are the first and only dental treat that decrease tartar and plaque, freshen breath, enhance nutrition, improve digestion, and taste great to dogs. Recently, Greenies(R) received the Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC) seal. Greenies(R) is the only treat to be awarded this prestigious seal for its success in removing tartar and plaque.

Companies competing for the "Small Business Exporter of the Year Award" were nominated by private sector DEC members and U.S. Commercial Service offices. The DEC judging panel looked at criteria such as domestic product content, growth in the number of export markets; increased employment in the U.S., and share of exports contributing to company sales.

District Export Councils (DECs) are organizations of leaders from the local business communities across the United States, and are appointed by successive Secretaries of Commerce. With their expert knowledge of international business, DEC members are a key source of professional advice for local firms. For more than 25 years, DECs have served the United States by assisting companies in their local communities export, thus promoting our country's economic growth and creating new and higher-paying jobs for their communities.

The U.S. Commercial Service is a U.S. Commerce Department agency that helps small and midsize U.S. businesses sell their products and services globally. The Commercial Service's worldwide network includes 108 U.S. Export Assistance Centers and nearly 150 international posts. For more information on the Commercial Service, please call 816-426-6285 or visit www.export.gov. To learn more about S&M NuTec and Greenies(R) visit www.greenies.com.