Wire mesh screens from Tuscaloosa cover windows around the world, and pecans from Alabama grace tables in China. Exporting is often invisible, but it supports jobs, expands markets for Alabama companies, and strengthens the state economy.

“The business of exporting has always happened but has been kind of under the radar,” said Brian Davis, who oversees the Alabama International Trade Center in UA’s Office for Business Engagement Services. “There are companies all over the state that started in Alabama and are successful exporters.”

Davis leads a team of four people who help Alabama businesses learn the basics of exporting when they are ready to think bigger.

Connecting Alabama companies with global markets

The AITC has been in operation since 1979, and Davis has worked there for more than three decades. He said the AITC serves between 150 and 200 Alabama companies each year.

“In the early years, we put together information pieces in other languages for state trade missions that explained Alabama’s location and the products made here,” he said. “Today, we focus on the ABCs of exporting: how to quote something; how to ship it; and how to get paid.”

Davis and his team also help businesses navigate import and export regulations, connect to potential customers, and secure credit or working capital to support the expansion of their operations. Even with the vast resources of the internet at hand, an experienced guide through the process is still irreplaceable.

LiDAR USA and its parent company Fagerman Technologies, Inc. credit AITC with helping them expand internationally. The company specializes in 3-D mapping technologies and has led the industry in the use of lidar on unmanned aerial vehicles. In 2024, LiDAR USA supplied the lidar system and consulted on an award-winning project that created a 3-D model of an ancient Romanian castle, the home of Vlad III, or Vlad the Impaler.

Hoover-based company BioGX has been working with AITC since 2014. The company makes custom reagents that simplify real-world polymerase chain reaction testing. Its products are widely used in scientific research and medical testing. The AITC has helped the company establish a presence in Europe, the Middle East, Asia and Latin America.

“Over the past 10 years, AITC has been a great partner for BioGX in facilitating international networking opportunities, providing market research and providing support to showcase BioGX products at U.S. and international conferences,” said Robert Martinez, the vice president of business development and scientific affairs at BioGX.

Global business experience for UA students

Davis believes the AITC’s work to support Alabama businesses is a natural fit at UA.

“The University’s mission is teaching, research and service,” Davis said. “We fall under service, using the talents at the University to do things that help improve the state’s economy.”

About 10 to 15 students intern at the AITC each semester, usually for multiple years. They come from a variety of disciplines across campus, including law, business, engineering, consumer sciences and foreign languages. The students find the AITC through word of mouth or campus postings. No matter what their major is, they share an interest in learning more about other countries.

Many students have found positions in the AITC or with clients’ businesses after graduation, often in logistics or exporting.

“We are part of the University’s mission in that way as well,” Davis said. “We help equip students to work in this world, which is global.”

Recognition from the governor

Although Davis is happy to work behind the scenes, he was surprised in May of this year with an award from Gov. Kay Ivey at the annual Trade Excellence Awards.

He said the award was a surprise — he initially thought his name on the program was a mistake.

Davis appreciated the recognition from peers, but even more, he appreciated that the award spotlighted the work of the AITC and its Export Alabama partners around the state. The center works with state and federal agencies, law firms, banks and cultural organizations such as the Japan America Society of Alabama.   

“Helping these companies is very satisfying to me,” Davis said. “Whether in a small or large way, you can see the results: they make a sale, they travel for the first time, they learn how to do something new that helps their company.”

And ultimately, the help they offer supports both The University and the state of Alabama.

Paul Finebaum’s switchboard would have been full of calls on Monday asking for Kalen DeBoer‘s head if Alabama had lost to Kentucky in Week 2.

Despite the Wildcats holding a 17-13 lead at halftime thanks in part to three first-half turnovers by the Crimson Tide, Alabama outscored them 32-0 in the second half to cruise to a 2-0 start.

“We both have learned not to get too carried away with first halves, but I can tell you that the temperature of the Alabama fan base while you were getting ready for halftime was boiling hot,” Finebaum told Matt Barrie on Sunday’s “Matt Barrie Show.” “But I was pretty impressed with how that entire program moved on from that disastrous first half.”

Because he’s following in the footsteps of the legendary Nick Saban, DeBoer will always face higher expectations than the average coach. But Alabama fans seeking his ouster is a step too far, Barrie said.

“It’s absolutely hilarious that people have these conversations about Alabama and DeBoer, and ‘is he on the hot seat.’ They just went to the Playoff last year and won a game. Like, enough with this DeBoer hot-seat garbage. It’s not happening,” Barrie said.

“I have a new policy. I just don’t react to the texts I get to fire DeBoer while I’m watching the game flying back. ‘Cause it’s just not worth it,” Finebaum said.