U.S. Small Business Administration Announces National 2023 Exporter of the Year


WV District Director Announces Local 2023 Small Business Exporter of the Year


WASHINGTON – The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced Sciencix, headquartered in North Carolina, as the federal agency’s 2023 National Small Business Exporter of the Year. The SBA will recognize the company during National Small Business Week, an annual event honoring the accomplishments and contributions of small businesses across the nation.

Kreinik Mfg Co Inc. was named the SBA’s West Virginia Small Business Exporter of the year and Mid-Atlantic Small Business Exporter of the Year. Doug Kreinik, company owner and president, will accept those awards at the SBA’s West Virginia awards luncheon May 3, 2023.

“Doug Kreinik’s family-owned business is a perfect example of the American Dream made reality,” said SBA Mid-Atlantic Regional Administrator John Fleming. “Drive, quick thinking and nimbleness allowed Doug and his employees to not only prosper during the pandemic but provide a lifesaving product for frontline workers around the world. Kreinik Manufacturing is proof exporting can make the difference between getting by and going far.”

Kreinik Mfg Co Inc was opened in 1973 by Doug’s parents and has continuously operated since then. Doug joined the business in 1983, purchased the business with his brother in 1988, and took full ownership in 2008. They now export all around the world, including distributors in Netherlands, Japan, China, Australia, Canada, Russia and Ukraine.

Kreinik utilized a variety of SBA products and services, including: the Emerging Leaders Program (now T.H.R.I.V.E.), STEP grant, SBDC counseling, and most recently a COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan and Paycheck Protection Program loan. The pandemic assistance he received helped him to stay in business during the difficult time. Working with a skeleton crew, Doug was able to modify his machines to produce elastic for masks, including an order for 10,000 yards for the National Guard.

“I met Doug in 2016 when he was named the SBA WV Small Business Week District Family-Owned Small Business of the year,” noted SBA District Director Karen Friel. “Since that time, I have seen him utilize multiple SBA’s programs and services, like the Emerging Leaders and State Trade Expansion Programs, to sustain and grow his business, even during the pandemic.”

For more information on SBA’s programs and services related to exporting, visit www.sba.gov/exporting. Learn more about the State Trade Expansion Program grant at www.sba.gov/STEP. For more information about National Small Business Week, visit www.sba.gov/NSBW.

Co-sponsorship Authorization# 23-1-C The SBA’s participation in this cosponsored activity is not an endorsement of the views, opinions, products or services of any cosponsor or other person or entity. All SBA programs and services are extended to the public on a nondiscriminatory basis.