Small Manufacturer Fights for Global Access

Small business owner Tamara Harney testifies in support of expanded free trade before a Senate Finance subcommittee in December 2009. Photo: Stefanie Westerman

Ask Tamara and Herb Harney why they are such big advocates for free trade, and they’ll give you 40 different reasons. That’s how many countries their business, Hamilton Manufacturing Inc. Worldwide, ships its products to.

Last December, Tamara, CEO of the Grandville, Michigan-based insulation, hydroseeding, mulch, and erosion control products manufacturer, testified on behalf of the U.S. Chamber before a Senate Finance subcommittee in support of pending free trade agreements (FTAs). Tamara told the panel that she sees great opportunities for her business in South Korea, Panama, and Australia. She testified to her business’ success in Australia, with which the United States has had an FTA since 2005. FTAs with South Korea and Panama are pending in Congress.

Tamara will participate in an upcoming event in Michigan in support of the Korea FTA. The event is part of a 10-city Korea FTA promotion tour put on by TradeRoots, the Chamber’s trade education arm. “Passing the free trade agreement with South Korea would greatly level the playing field for our business and would make it easier for our products to compete,” she says.

From the time the Harneys purchased the Hamilton Manufacturing plant in Idaho from her parents in 1987, they have focused on expanding the business beyond U.S. borders. With assistance from the U.S. Foreign Commercial Service (FCS) and the Boise Export Assistance Center, they began exporting in 1998.

Tamara says that exporting can at times be challenging and overwhelming for a small business. “Each country is different, and each culture is unique. Introducing U.S. products is always time-consuming, challenging, and expensive. But, in the end, it is all worthwhile.”

May To-Do List

• BECOME a fan of the American Free Enterprise. Dream Big. campaign on Facebook. www.facebook.com/AmericanFreeEnterprise
• FIND a U.S. Chamber TradeRoots event in your area and become a Face of Trade.
  www.traderoots.org
• FIND your state in the 2010 State Liability Systems Ranking Study.
  www.Instituteforlegalreform.com
• GET real-time online updates of America's Small Business Summit, May 17—19. www.uschambersummit.com
• WATCH the Chamber’s television ad against the proposed Consumer Financial Protection Agency. www.stopthecfpa.com