4:00 – 5:30 PM – Program I:  Export Potential in Challenging Markets

Panelists: (See Bios of All Speakers and Panelists)
Tracy Anderson, American Signal Corporation
Chris Roller, American Signal Corporation
Ursula M. Wegrzynowicz, Trade Acceptance Group

Have you heard any type of warning system lately?  Chris Roller and Tracy Anderson from American Signal Corporation will provide us with useful information on how this Milwaukee-based company, established in 1942, expanded into international sales. The focus for this program will be on the challenges they have faced, from the sales and credit perspective, as well as the network of agencies and companies they depend on to make their projects go smoothly. 

They will describe how their products are used internationally, with a focus on their Tsunami Solution project in Sri Lanka, a country not often considered an export prospect.  In 2007, American Signal was named Exporter of the Year by Commercial News USA.

Ursula M. Wegrzynowicz of Trade Acceptance Group will discuss risk mitigation and sales enhancement tools available from the private and public sector to assist US companies grow international sales to creditworthy buyers in challenging markets around the globe.  Export Credit Insurance allows exporters to offer competitive open account terms to foreign buyers, while minimizing the risk of non-payment.  With reduced non-payment risk, exporters can increase export sales, establish market share in emerging and developing markets, and compete more vigorously in the global market.

7:00 – 8:00 PM – Program II:  Rick Bergholz, Co-owner of TAPCO ( See Rick's Bio)

The global push to build infrastructure and the demand for innovations to keep growing populations safe on roadways has kept Rick Bergholz of TAPCO outbound in recent years. TAPCO is a member of the International Road Federation (IRF), comprised of heads of transportation ministries for countries throughout the world; it deals with issues in roadway safety and conducts forums, meetings and expositions across the globe to promote safety in transportation.

Green has become a priority for TAPCO, allowing the company to meet demand for sustainable products and to give customers ways to reduce energy consumption. Signposts are made from recycled steel (1 million pounds of steel each year). Speed bumps and car stops are both made from recycled rubber and plastic milk jugs.

TAPCO’s traditional base of business has been municipalities, states and businesses in the U.S. but exports and Federal government contracting have opened new opportunities for TAPCO overseas. Two years ago we had zero government business and zero export business. Today, exporting accounts for 10 to 15 percent of gross sales and is growing.

TAPCO’s most recent international developments have led to strong distributorships in Latin America, Australia, and Canada—only the tip of the iceberg for the budding, family owned, small business that began in Milwaukee in 1956. TAPCO also does business in the Cayman Islands, Jamaica, Russia, Canada, New Zealand, Japan and Iraq.