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WVC company one of 26 companies recognized by United States Commerce Department

Oct 07, 2019 04:05PM ● By Darrell Kirby

Maxtec's corporate and manufacturing facility in West Valley City. (Darrell Kirby/City Journals)

By Darrell Kirby | [email protected]

A West Valley City manufacturer of oxygen analysis and delivery equipment has been honored by the U.S. Department of Commerce as one of the nation's top entities for export growth. 

Maxtec is one of 26 companies and the only one in Utah to receive the President's "E" Award at a ceremony in Washington, D.C. in May for "demonstrating a sustained increase in export sales over a four-year period," according to the Commerce Department. 

Located at 2305 S. 1070 West, Maxtec touts itself as "a leader in oxygen analysis and delivery products for more than 15 years." Director of Business Development Carl Luft said the national award is the result of human and financial investment to expand the company's global markets for its products. They include oxygen analysis devices and monitors, pulse oximeters, air-oxygen mixers, flow meters, ventilators, and IV poles and stands for hospital, homecare and anesthesia uses. 

“We’ve put a lot of resources and time into expanding our international distribution channels," Luft said. Maxtec has worked closely with the World Trade Center in Salt Lake City and the Governor’s Office of Economic Development and received grants to cultivate foreign trade relationships. “Over the last three years, we’ve really seen some exponential growth," he added. 

Recognition for Maxtec was brought home to West Valley City when Rep. Ben McAdams, D-Utah, with Luft at his side, praised the company at a recent city council meeting. 

“I wanted to make sure people understand the prestigious recognition they’ve been given,” said McAdams, who attended the Washington ceremony. “Exports are a really important part of our economic growth. It’s what makes us globally competitive and Maxtec is really doing that in amazing fashion."  

Luft said his company's key export markets are Europe and Canada, but the biggest growth over the last few years has occurred in Southeast Asia and the Middle East.

Nearly 100 employees contribute to the effort, about half of whom are involved in manufacturing. “They’re the ones that come in day in and day out and put together the devices as if they are making jewelry. Everything is handmade," Luft said. 

While most of the equipment is destined for hospitals and other healthcare facilities, it is also used in homes and industry. 

In all, 48 companies and other entities were awarded by the Commerce Department for their various roles in the record $2.5 trillion in U.S. exports in 2018. 

Maxtec’s achievement “is a story we can tell the country of Utah’s prosperity and ingenuity and hard work that is lifting up our country,” McAdams said.

The "E" award was created during World War II to recognize companies contributing to the war effort and was formalized by a presidential executive order in 1961 to acknowledge “persons, firms, or organizations which contribute significantly in the effort to increase United States exports,” according to the International Trade Administration in the Commerce Department.