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Central Valley Ag Exports in Visalia Wins "Exporter of the Year"
Central Valley Ag Exports, Inc. is proud to announce we have won the 2020 Central CA SBDC Network SBA "Exporter of the Year" Small Business Award for their significant business achievements.
They were nominated for the National Small Business Award by the Valley Community Small Business Development Center (VCSBDC) which serves Tulare, Fresno, Kings and Madera Counties, and is hosted by Clovis Community College. Due to the pandemic the traditional May SBA Small Business Week event was unable to occur, and the company has been recognized in a private ceremony.
An American success story, Central Valley Ag Exports, Inc. (CVAE-Inc.com) was founded in 2005, by CEO Didier Vivies, an immigrant from the French Caribbean island of Guadaloupe. He established the business in the most fertile agricultural area of the San Joaquin Valley, and began by going door-to-door to establish relationships with farmers who would supply him with high quality commodities at a good price. From these humble beginnings, today CVAE employs 10 people, and features a large variety of legumes such as beans, peas, lentils and rice. Serving both domestic and international companies, they offer a variety of options, from bulk deliveries direct from farmer to customer, to packaging for international and domestic locations, to private label packaging. CVAE credits the consulting assistance they received from the Valley Community SBDC as pivotal to their growth and success, and have worked with the VCSBDC for several years. "VCSBDC's consultant Olga Martinez has been of great help by assisting us with our growth objectives by introductions to prospective strategy partners through business-to-business match-making, recommending we participate in different conferences and trade shows, plus other strategy advisory services," says Ludivine Vivies, Operations Manager.
"We were honored to have CVAE win this award," explains VCSBDC Director Rich Mostert. "Our team of expert consultants provides a full range of no-cost services and workshops to companies across a diverse array of industries, and it is always so rewarding to help a company grow and succeed."
"This yearly event recognizes the critical impact small businesses have on our local economies and celebrates the outstanding accomplishments made by each of our award recipients," says Central CA SBDC Regional Director Kurt Clark. "Their achievements exemplify the entrepreneurial spirit that is a hallmark of the U.S."
