PKL Services, Inc. Joins MetroConnect to Expand International Growth
September 27, 2018
PKL is pleased to announce that we have been selected to take part in MetroConnect 2018, an export assistance program run by the World Trade Center San Diego (WTC) and designed to help San Diego companies accelerate their global growth. The announcement was made by Mayor Kevin L. Faulconer and WTC San Diego on September 26 at WeWork in downtown San Diego. PKL’s Global Trade Compliance Officer, Kimberly Robling, was on hand to accept the grant.
This program will allow PKL to pursue foreign markets, establish trade partnerships, and attend trade shows. PKL has been investing resources into overseas market growth and we are grateful for the support of MetroConnect to provide additional funds to further amplify our international business growth.
As the flagship export assistance program of World Trade Center San Diego, MetroConnect helps to cultivate a pipeline of export-ready firms to elevate San Diego’s global reach. Now in its fourth program-year, company participants will receive a $10,000 grant, presented by JPMorgan Chase & Co., and a suite of programmatic support services to assist with international expansion strategies. Local companies, PKL included, will have access to a dedicated staff manager at WTC, and will receive guidance on export compliance, financing and fundraising, among other international support services.
“We applaud PKL for taking the next step in going global,” said Nikia Clarke, executive director of World Trade Center San Diego. “With SMEs like this at the forefront, San Diego must continue to increase its export capacity and boost the region’s global identity. MetroConnect is equipping these companies with the resources necessary to do just that.”
The MetroConnect program is highly competitive, with just 20 companies selected based on a variety of criteria including market interest, assessed impact of funds, current international traction and more. Applicants were assessed by a panel of judges, including representatives from Qualcomm Ventures, Biocom, U.S. Commercial Service, Rough Draft Brewing, San Diego State University, Tech San Diego, UC San Diego, San Diego Regional EDC and WTC San Diego.
PKL joins a cohort of 19 other companies representing a unique cross-section of San Diego’s industries, from defense to life sciences to software and craft goods – each with plans to take San Diego innovation globally. Collectively, the cohort employs 1,181 and has a combined revenue of $392 million revenue and $115 million in international revenue.
