Patton Focuses on Overseas Opportunities

VoIP gateways firm Patton Electronics recently found themselves in an interesting position -- serving as an illustration in the Washington Post of the importance of extending import-export credit to small businesses.

Patton started manufacturing computer and telecommunications products in 1984, as the Post reported, noting that the Gaithersburg company "sold most of its goods to local companies. In other words, until the owners identified fertile ground abroad."

Bobby Patton, who runs the business with his brothers Bruce and Bert, told the Post "We had the possibility to discover clients internationally through the Internet and made some treks overseas to establish distributors," explaining that they relied on their own capital until things grew to the point where they had to turn to the Export-Import Bank in 1998 for a guaranteed loan to finance accounts receivables from overseas clients.

Patton Electronics is one of a number of small firms with more funding options thanks to the bank -- "according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis, total U.S. exports by companies of all sizes rose 15.1 percent to $178 billion in July, compared with the previous year," the Post noted, adding that "the Export-Import Bank approved more than 2,828 small-business transactions through August, and is projecting a 10 percent increase from 2010 for the year."

Patton is continuing to focus on overseas markets. This week TMC had the news that Patton appointed Aveek Roy to lead business development and sales operations throughout the Indian sub-continent.

Based in New Delhi, Roy takes responsibility for driving Patton's go-to-market strategy and future revenue growth for South Asia. India's recently announced plans to release additional 3G spectrum to mobile carriers accelerates broadband penetration, fostering economic expansion.

As Vice President of South Asia Operations for PE-Inalp Private Limited--the India Affiliate of Patton Electronics Company-Aveek drives Patton's delivery of high-quality products of India's expanding network infrastructure and user population.