Springfield manufacturer joins Colombia, Peru trade mission

Springfield manufacturer ArmorThane USA Inc. will be represented on a trade mission to Colombia and Peru led by Gov. Jay Nixon.

The Jan. 30-Feb. 5 trip calls on a delegation of government and business leaders to increase exports from and grab new investments for Missouri, according to a news release.

“The role of emerging markets for Missouri exports has grown significantly in recent years, and that includes our trading partners in Central and South America,” Nixon said in the release.

With its purchase of $81.9 million in Missouri goods and commodities, Colombia ranked as Missouri’s 27th largest trading partner in 2014. The country largely buys chemicals, nonelectrical machinery, food, and electrical equipment and appliances.

Peru, Missouri’s 42nd largest trade partner, in 2014 bought roughly $25.6 million in products, led by nonelectrical machinery, food, fabricated metal products and chemicals, according to the release.

ArmorThane, 2660 N. Eastgate Ave., manufactures and distributes polyurethane protective coatings used for a variety of purposes, including truck bed linings; containment for oil, sewer and other potentially hazardous materials; blast mitigation assistance; polyurethane foam insulation; and coatings for sewer rehabilitation and containers in acidic environments.

A 2012 Springfield Business Journal Business Spotlight on the company reported around 30 percent of its business was derived through exports. Peru was included on its list of buying countries.