EXIM's Export Credit Insurance Enabled Ohio Small Business to Export Flooring Systems to 70 Countries

PRESS RELEASE

Media Contact: Office of Communications (202-565-3203)
For Immediate Release: September 11, 2020

Robbins Sports Surfaces Named 2020 EXIM Exporter of the Year

WASHINGTON - Robbins Sports Surfaces, a family-owned small business based in Cincinnati, Ohio, that manufactures sports flooring systems featuring hardwood maple flooring, has been named an Exporter of the Year by the Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM). The company, which has used EXIM's export credit insurance to support its international sales since 2003, will be honored during EXIM's 2020 Annual Conference, the largest conference in the agency's history, which is being held virtually September 9-11.

Established as a flooring installation company in 1894, Robbins manufactures high-performance maple and synthetic flooring systems for sports and performing arts venues that can be found in 70 countries. Robbins' flooring systems are used by National Basketball Association (NBA) and Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) professional teams; National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) programs; and thousands of school, college, university, and recreational facilities across the United States, Canada, and the world.

"I am honored to recognize Robbins Sports Surfaces on behalf of EXIM for its outstanding contributions to fulfilling our agency's mission of supporting American jobs by facilitating U.S. exports," said EXIM President and Chairman Kimberly A. Reed. "The winners of EXIM's Exporter of the Year award come from every region of our country and many different industries, but all represent American ingenuity and success. Approximately 90 percent of EXIM's authorizations directly support small businesses like the exporters being awarded today, and at EXIM we are proud to help in the success of these small businesses as they compete in the global marketplace and support American jobs."

To access new markets abroad, Robbins has relied on EXIM's export credit insurance for its international sales strategy since 2003. EXIM's insurance enabled the company to offer customers favorable payment terms needed to secure new projects and grow international sales. That allowed Robbins to further increase sales in its original markets and expand into new countries. EXIM supports approximately 50 percent of Robbins' international sales, and exports sustain the jobs of the entire workforce of 180 employees. Since 2014, EXIM has supported exports valued at nearly $6.8 million. The company's policies are facilitated by EXIM broker JZJ Insurance Services, Inc., headquartered in Columbus, Ohio.

"EXIM makes it possible for Robbins Sports Surfaces to participate in the global market for athletic facility construction and promote our message of safe sports flooring to athletes of all ages and skill levels," said John Ficks, Global Sales Manager for Robbins Sports Surfaces. "We are grateful to the U.S. government and EXIM for providing services that make it possible for U.S. companies to compete around the globe."

Since 2014, EXIM has supported exports valued at $5 billion from 209 companies - including 149 small businesses like Robbins Sports Surfaces - across Ohio.

U.S. companies, particularly small businesses, can utilize EXIM's financing tools and resources to increase their international sales, showcase their "Made in the USA" products, and sustain American jobs. By partnering with EXIM, exporters can mitigate the risk of nonpayment on international sales, offer credit terms to foreign buyers, and access working capital loan guarantees. In addition, EXIM has implemented several COVID-19 (coronavirus) relief measures for U.S. exporters and financial institutions to enhance the agency's existing programs.

ABOUT EXIM:

EXIM is an independent federal agency that promotes and supports American jobs by providing competitive and necessary export credit to support sales of U.S. goods and services to international buyers. A robust EXIM can level the global playing field for U.S. exporters when they compete against foreign companies that receive support from their governments. EXIM also contributes to U.S. economic growth by helping to create and sustain hundreds of thousands of jobs in exporting businesses and their supply chains across the United States. In recent years, approximately 90 percent of the total number of the agency's authorizations has directly supported small businesses. Since 1992, EXIM has generated more than $9 billion for the U.S. Treasury for repayment of U.S. debt. 

For more information about EXIM, please visit www.exim.gov.