• Executive Briefing
• Economic Sector Targets
• Business Development Resources
• Community Living
• Site Location Database
• Current Publications
• Sites and Buildings
• International Business Development
• About GO Topeka
• Archives
• Contact Us
• Confidentiality Commitment
• Resources, Publications & Maps
• Visual Gallery

Print Page

Pdf Page

Add To Report

Report Center

International Resources

Every attempt has been made to provide current, accurate, and consistent data in this database. There may be some differences due to sources, methodologies, or timing of data-assembly.

Local International Programs

Trade Development
The Trade Development Division works to increase international sales of Kansas’ goods and services and to attract foreign investment to the state. With four foreign offices (China, Europe, Japan and Mexico), the Division can provide companies with export counseling, market and regulations research and distributor/agent searches. The Division also recruits for trade shows, leads trade missions and hosts foreign delegations. Headquartered in Topeka, it also has offices located in Overland Park and Wichita.
Source: Kansas Department of Commerce
Contact: John Watson, Director
Phone: (785) 296-4027
Fax: (785) 296-5263
E-mail: ksintl@kansascommerce.com

Travel & Tourism
The Division’s efforts include promotion to travel writers, motor coach tour operators, individual travelers and the international travel community by a cooperative advertising program, tradeshows, direct print advertising and publication of the annual Kansas Getaway Guide.
Source: Kansas Department of Commerce
Contact: Becky Blake, Director
Phone: (785) 296-2009
Fax: (785) 296-6988
E-mail: travtour@kansascommerce.com

Kansas International Trade Show Assistance Program
KITSAP offers support to Kansas companies exhibiting in foreign and domestic trade shows attracting substantial international buyers.
Source: Kansas Department of Commerce
Contact: April Chiang, Trade Development Division
Phone: (785) 296-4027
Fax: (785) 296-5263
E-mail: achiang@kansascommerce.com

Export Finance Counseling
The Trade Development Division advises Kansas small business on organizing effective export strategies. The division advises on private sector contacts in the international banking community. The program goal is to assist Kansas small business in securing finance for export transactions.
Source: Kansas Department of Commerce
Contact: April Chiang, Trade Development Division
Phone: (785) 296-4027
Fax: (785) 296-5263
E-mail: achiang@kansascommerce.com

International Market Research
Market research assistance is available at no cost for your product in international markets. The professional, multilingual staff in our Kansas state offices in China, Europe, Mexico and Japan, offer direct and immediate assistance, information, introductions and qualified agent/distributor searches around the globe.
Source: Kansas Department of Commerce
Contact: Larry Childs, Trade Development Division
Phone: (785) 296-4027
Fax: (785) 296-5263
E-mail: lchilds@kansascommerce.com

Agriculture International Marketing
The international marketing group conducts trade missions, coordinates itineraries for foreign buying teams and provides trade show assistance. It also works to build alliances with commodity commissions, agricultural organizations and educational institutions, then helps direct marketing research projects in support of these alliances.
Source: Kansas Department of Commerce
Contact: Becki Rhoades, Agriculture Marketing Division
Phone: (785) 296-1847
Fax: (785) 296-3776
E-mail: brhoades@kansascommerce.com

Educational International Programs

Higher Education International Programs
Washburn University Office of International Programs offers several study aboard programs. The Office of International Programs assists international students in their social and academic growth, as well as advising them on Immigration rules and regulations.
Washburn University offers dozens of programs in these countries and others—

Auburn-Washburn Planning International Baccalaureate Program

The Auburn-Washburn School District is working toward bringing an International Baccalaureate program to Washburn Rural High School. The two-year program would enable high school students to engage in a challenging, international pre-university course of study.

"This program is in our district long-range strategic plan and we are allocating funds to maintain its operation. We have invested in research and planning and are on track for implementation," said Dr. Brenda Dietrich, Auburn-Washburn superintendent.

No one in the Topeka area currently offers and International Baccalaureate program. There are only two in Kansas- one in Sedgwick County and the other in Johnson County. Adding the program in Shawnee County would allow the school district and community to be much more competitive.

"We know there are companies in Topeka who are recruiting executives that ask about the availability of an IB program for their children," said Dietrich. "This is the only recognized worldwide benchmark diploma program and it is a magnet for recruiting businesses and executives who have school-aged children."

In addition, the program could help facilitate the attraction of international companies to the Shawnee County area.

"By helping to provide this type of rigorous, international education, we'd be sending a message to companies around the globe that Topeka and Shawnee County are serious about building an educated, motivated and savvy workforce," said Steve Jenkins, GO Topeka senior vice president for economic development.

The school district is currently in the process of establishing the startup funding for the program and hopes to see it implemented in the near future, though no official start date has been announced. For more information, or to learn how your organization can help fund the program, contact Dr. Dietrich at Auburn-Washburn Schools, 785.339-4000.

International Business Presence in Region

Goodyear Tire and Rubber – Manufactures and distributes large tires for the mining industry. www.goodyear.com

Collective Brands/Payless Shoesource – Worldwide Headquarters-Collective Brands was formed in 2007 when Payless ShoeSource acquired the Collective Brands Performance + Lifestyle Group (formerly the Stride Rite Corporation) and Collective Licensing International. The new company was named “Collective Brands” to reflect the collective spirit – the idea that together, the sum is greater than the individual parts. www.collectivebrands.com

Hill’s Pet Nutrition – Worldwide Headquarters and Research and Development Headquarters, Manufactures and distributes pet foods. www.hillspet.com

Frito-Lay – Manufactures and distributes a wide variety of snack foods. www.fritolay.com

Hallmark Cards – Manufacturer of greeting cards and envelopes. www.hallmark.com

Innovia Films – Innovia Films is a leading global manufacturer of two ‘families’ of special products supplied into the packaging, labels, tobacco overwrap and securities markets. www.innovia.com

M-C Industries – A leading manufacturer of sewn and sealed industrial products. www.mcind.com

Lohmann & Rauscher, Inc. – Manufacture orthopedic pillows, posture cushions, extremity supports, cervical braces and back support belts; industrial safety and high visibility products. www.lohmann-rauscher.com

Custom Dredge Works – Designs and Manufactures turn-key dredges for a wide array of uses. www.customdredgeworks.com

PT’s Coffee – Roasts over 100 tons of premium specialty coffee annually for wholesale clients. Recognized for award-winning small lot coffees, PT’s Coffee is among the leading roasters reviewed by industry resource Coffee Review, receiving the guide’s highest ever rating of 97 points. www.ptscoffee.com

Organizations with International Services

Cosgrove, Webb & Oman
International Law Firm
1100 Bank of America Tower
Topeka, Kansas 66603
Phone: (785) 235-9511
Fax: (785) 235-2082
E-mail: chuck.engel@cosgrovelaw.com

Goodell Stratton Edmonds & Palmer L.L.P.
International Law Firm
515 S. Kansas Avenue
Topeka, Kansas 66603-3999
Phone: (785) 233-0593
Fax: (785) 233-8870
E-mail: gsep@goodellstrattonlaw.com

Jim Owens
Translation and Interpreter Services
617 S.W. Taylor, #9
Topeka, Kansas 66601
Phone: (785) 235-3326
E-mail: jim.owens@washburn.edu

UmmelGroup International, Inc.
International Consultants
2788 South Shore Drive
Lake Pomona, Kansas 66543
Phone: (785) 845-8578
E-mail: info@UmmelGroup.com

State Organizations with International Programs

Kansas Department of Commerce - Agriculture Products Division
Government Agency
1000 S.W. Jackson, Suite 100
Topeka, Kansas 66612-1354
Phone: (785) 296-3736
Fax: (785) 296-3776
E-mail: agprod@kansascommerce.com

Kansas Department of Commerce - Trade Development Division
Government Agency
1000 S.W. Jackson, Suite 100
Topeka, Kansas 66612-1354
Phone: (785) 296-4027
Fax: (785) 296-5263
E-mail: ksintl@kansascommerce.com

Kansas Soybean Commission
Organization
1000 S. W. Red Oaks Place
Topeka, Kansas 66615
Phone: (785) 271-1040
Fax: (785) 271-1302
E-mail: information@kansassoybeans.org

International Trade assets in Region

Provided by the Office of Trade and Industry Information, Manufacturing and Services, International Trade Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce
(D) = Data withheld to avoid disclosing figures for individual companies
(NA)= Data not available

State International Business Programs

International Trade Council of Greater Kansas City
4747 Troost Avenue, Suite 119 E
Kansas City, Missouri 64110
Phone: (816) 235-6654
Fax: (816) 235-2947
E-mail: info@itckc.org

Kansas International Trade Show Assistance Program
1000 S.W. Jackson St., Suite 100
Topeka, Kansas 66614
Phone: (785) 296-4027
Fax: (785) 296-5263
E-mail: achiang@kansascommerce.com

ThinkBigKS.com
Kansas Department of Commerce, Business Development
1000 S.W. Jackson St., Suite 100
Topeka, Kansas 66614
Phone: (913) 345-8347

Kansas World Trade Center
125 North Market Street
Wichita, Kansas 67202
Phone: (316) 264-5982

University of Kansas, School of Business, Center for International Business: IBRC
Summerfield Hall
1300 Sunnyside Avenue, Room 204
Lawrence, Kansas 66045
Phone: (785) 864-7879

World Trade Council
Center for International Business Advancement (CIBA)
Barton School of Business
Wichita State University
1845 N. Fairmount
Wichita, Kansas 67260

State Trade and Foreign Investment Data

According to the Trade Development Division of the Kansas Department of Commerce, Kansas businesses totaled $8.89 billion in exports in 2009. The top ten industries accounted for 77 percent of the state’s exports. The largest single industry for the state is Aircraft. The following is a list of the top ten export industries for the state of Kansas:

1. Aircraft, Spacecraft & Parts
2. Industrial Machinery
3. Electric Machinery
4. Meat & Edible Meal Offal
5. Cereals
6. Prepared Animal Feeds
7. Vehicles
8. Organic Chemicals
9. Oil Seeds, Etc
10. Raw Hides & Skins

A total of 2,260 companies exported goods from Kansas locations in 2007. The top three export markets were Canada, Mexico and Japan. Canada supplied Kansas with $1.1 billion in transportation goods in which Kansas' transportation manufacturers assembled the parts and returned finished automobiles and aircraft to Canada.
Source: Canada International