There in the lobby of a hotel in Saudi Arabia in December of 2010, Todd Furbee, the owner of Delta Pure Filtration, located in Ashland, Virginia, was negotiating the single largest order in his company’s history.  Todd was participating in a group market visit with Virginia Economic Development Partnership – International Trade.

Delta Pure Filtration began manufacturing filter cartridges in August, 1983. At the time Furbee purchased Delta Pure in the summer of 2007, the company had been doing a modest amount of international business.  There were random sales to Taiwan and some activity in Brazil, Ecuador, and Saudi Arabia, but there was not an intentional pursuit of international business.  That changed in 2008 when Delta Pure joined the AIM program and focused on entering the Canadian market.   Things were looking up, but then the global recession hit, which led to a decrease in activity in Canada.

Undaunted, Furbee continued to pursue international deals.  As a graduate of the AIM program, he was aware of the resources offered by VEDP – International Trade to help companies like his increase exports, and in July of 2010, Delta Pure entered the VALET program.  With international sales accounting for approximately 25% of total sales, it was Furbee’s hope to increase international sales by 15% with the help of the VALET program.  Knowing that there was interest for his company’s products in Saudi Arabia, the VEDP group market visit seemed like a natural fit. 

Furbee’s trip to Saudi Arabia proved auspicious, netting the company’s largest single order.  According to Furbee, “the market for water treatment and filtration products in Saudi Arabia is growing tremendously and represents great potential for Delta Pure.  The group market visit provided Delta Pure with contacts and market insights we would have not been able to obtain on our own.  We appreciate the efforts of the Virginia Economic Development Partnership and the confidence they have given us to pursue international sales.”  In addition, Furbee notes, Delta Pure is adding production equipment and personnel to increase their manufacturing capacity at their facility in Ashland.  It seems like Delta Pure, under Furbee’s direction, is well on its way to that 15% increase.  For more information about Delta Pure Filtration, visit http://www.deltapure.com/.

Canada · Delta Pure Filtration · exports · group market visit · international business · manufacturer · Saudi Arabia · VALET program · VEDP · Virginia