On October 6, Brad Pierce, president of Orlando-based Restaurant Equipment World, testified before a U.S. Senate Subcommittee in Washington, D.C., regarding increasing global export trade for small businesses.

Over the past several years, Pierce has grown his export business substantially, now accounting for more than 30 percent of his company’s annual sales volume and spanning more than 100 countries internationally. While Pierce has accomplished this without the aid of government assistance, he is interested in programs the government has available to help him increase his and other small businesses’ export volumes.

“There are 24 million small businesses which create approximately 80 percent of the new jobs in this country,” Pierce said. “In this troubled economy I see how much our business has been aided by exports, to not only survive, but to grow as a business. I would certainly like to see other companies benefit in this same manner.”

The content of his speech and subsequent question and answer session with numerous Senators and other government officials continued to drive home the importance of increased global exports for small businesses.

Pierce concluded his testimony by stating, “I truly believe that as partners with the U.S. government working hand in hand together, we can certainly increase our export trade. This will save U.S. jobs, provide an increase in revenue, help for us to recover faster from the current economic downturn, and make us stronger as a nation.”

Pierce was testifying on behalf of the National Federation of Independent Businesses at the invitation of U.S. Senator George LeMieux of Florida.