Vesocclude named NC Exporter of the Year

CHARLOTTE – The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has named the owner of Vesocclude Medical, LLC in Raleigh North Carolina Exporter of the Year for 2014. Freddy Cannady was nominated for the award by International Business Development Counselor Alex Viva at the North Carolina Small Business & Technology Development Center (SBTDC).

Vesocclude is a medical device manufacturer that specializes in the advanced development and production of ligation products. Ligation is the surgical procedure of closing off a blood vessel or other duct or tube in the body by means of a ligature or clip. Vesocclude manufactures manual ligating clips and user-friendly loading devices for multiple medical specialties in the United States.

Vesocclude founder Freddy Cannady working with SBTDC IBD Counselor Alex Viva.

Vesocclude founder Freddy Cannady working with SBTDC IBD Counselor Alex Viva.

“For us winning this award validates that Made In America has great value to OUS markets and our export process, with the help of SBTDC, has exceeded our expectations.  We are also very happy to receive such prestigious recognition and we would thank Alex Viva at the SBTDC for both leadership and resource support that kept our confidence high as we continue to reach out to many new customers around the world.”

The criteria for the award include: Increased sales, profits and/or employment due to exporting, creative overseas marketing strategies and introduction of unique trading relationships, products or services.

In 2005, Freddy Cannady started Vesocclude after he lost his job to outsourcing overseas. With 30 years of experience behind him, he saw this as an opportunity to use his skill and expertise.

Freddy began his relationship with the SBTDC in late 2005. In 2012, Vesocclude sought assistance with finding export working capital to prepare for increased product demand from Europe. Viva has worked with Freddy to assess SBA and Ex-Im Bank export working capital programs, review distribution agreements, and financials.

Alex also obtained a Campbell University MBA student intern with a medical supply background to help develop an international marketing plan. Vesocclude also implemented plans to go green by using easy-to-open soft blister product packaging that will create less waste for hospitals and landfills, which has already increased Vesocclude’s visibility around the world.

With the SBTDC’s support, Vesocclude is successfully competing with many large corporations in price with superior quality. Vesocclude’s export reach and sales are growing including over $1 million in new sales to Europe, Japan and Mexico. Exporting in 2011 made up 38% of sales, and it’s projected to soon grow to 60% in 2014. Vesocclude is a virtual company and between its core team and key NC manufacturers within 1 hour of our office we keep over 20 employees focused on our products.  SBTDC’s high level of support also help us to create a culture to pay it forward and we work with other North Carolina businesses to help them improve their lean management systems, avoid start-up pitfalls, and helped a local university graduate program learn about how start-ups can succeed in OUS markets . For more information contact Freddy Cannady at 919-201-314.

The award will be presented at the 2014 Small Business Week Luncheon hosted by The Support Center on Thursday May 8, 2014 at the North Raleigh Hilton.

See Vesocclude’s SBTDC International Business Development success story >>

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