Simtech's Richard Leite is CT's Small Business Exporter of the Year

Richard Leite, President & CEO of Simtech, Inc., based in East Granby, has been selected as Exporter of the Year by the U. S. Small Business Administration (SBA) in Connecticut. Established in 1988, Simtech distributes and exports military aircraft spares to the U.S. and foreign governments, companies and depots. The company has customers in Europe, the Middle East, Asia, Latin America, and North America.

An SBA Exporter of the Year is one that shows increased sales, profits and/or growth of employment because of exporting. One that establishes creative overseas marketing strategies, and has extensive exporting history as well as current export markets, which is all that encompasses Simtech.

"Small businesses are the backbone of our economy, and recognizing those who work so hard to achieve success is truly an honor, Simtech is a natural fit for this award, says Connecticut Interim District Director Mark S. Hayward. With their unique customer base in Europe, the Middle East, Asia, Latin and North America as well as the U.S. Government, Simtech is poised to stay around for many more years to come."

Through partnerships with original equipment manufacturers and other world class manufacturers, Simtech has built relationships on inventory of parts and delivery solutions to meet their customers demands.  By offering repair services for many aircraft components their OEM’s allow them to service parts such as bleed air systems, actuators, and radar systems.

For the US Government, Simtech supports mil-spec packaging, RFID requirement, Rapid invoicing through the DFAS.mil Wide Area Workflow (WAWF) and US Government QAR inspection. Simtech provides support for fighter, transport and rotor-wing aircraft including: CH-47 Chinook, SH-60 Sea Hawk, UH-60 Black Hawk, UH-1H Huey, F-16 Fighting Falcon, F-18 Hornet, and AH-64 Apache.

Anne Evans, District Director of the U.S. Export Assistance Center in Middletown nominated Simtech as she has worked extensively with them utilizing the one-on-one counseling with trade specialists as well as assisting them in taking full advantage of SBA’s State Trade and Export grant program funding for extra support.

“Simtech has been a leader in our state in demonstrating how a small company with an excellent reputation in meeting their customers’ demands can expand their market and profit from global sales,” Evans said.  “Simtech makes sure they have a seat at the table by being regular participants in the Connecticut District Export Council and help promote small company exports from Connecticut.” 

National Small Business Week is being celebrated September 20-24, and honors the nation’s small businesses, many of which are veteran, women and minority-owned, for their achievements and dedication to their communities.

The U.S. Small Business Administration empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow or expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster, officials point out. SBA delivers services through an extensive network of field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations.