[ST. PAUL, MN] – Governor Walz today announced four companies received Governor’s International Trade Awards or International Investment Awards for their leadership and excellence in global trade and investment. The awards recognize Minnesota companies showing exceptional progress exporting to foreign markets and international companies making significant economic contributions by investing throughout the state.

This year’s recipients of the Governor’s International Trade Awards and International Investment Awards are:

• Bonanza Bean, Morris;
• US Trade Logistics, Saint Paul;

· Seer Medical, based in Australia with a location in Rochester;

· Yanmar Compact Equipment North America, a subsidiary of a Japanese company located in Grand Rapids.

“Whether they are putting Minnesota-made products or services into the global marketplace or investing in good-paying jobs around our state, this year’s honorees make an exceptional economic impact on Minnesota,” said Governor Walz. “Minnesota's economy is growing and strong, and that’s a credit to companies like these.”

The annual Governor’s International Trade Awards come as Minnesota exports surge. Exports of agricultural, manufactured, and mining goods from Minnesota rose to an all-time high of $7.3 billion in the third quarter of 2022. Minnesota exports increased $1.6 billion between the third quarters of 2021 and 2022.

“In Minnesota, we make and grow the products the world wants and needs, and companies from around the world choose our state as a place to grow their market share,” said Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development Deputy Commissioner Kevin McKinnon. “This activity has an extraordinary impact on Minnesota’s economy and workforce, and we’re pleased to honor these businesses.”

“The Minnesota Trade Office continues to support Minnesota companies expanding overseas and encourage investment from those looking to make Minnesota home ,” said Gabrielle Gerbaud, Executive Director of the Minnesota Trade Office. “We congratulate this year's winners and remain committed to our mission of expanding Minnesota’s impact abroad and bringing investments home.”

“International trade powers the growth of Minnesota’s economy, making us the fourth largest agricultural exporting state in the U.S.,” said Minnesota Department of Agriculture Commissioner Thom Petersen. “Our companies, workers, farmers, and communities all benefit as we continue to feed the world. Congratulations to this year’s award winners.”

2022 Governor’s International Trade Award and International Investment Award Winners

Bonanza Bean (Agricultural Commodities/Processed Food: Any Size Company) is a dry bean processor located in west central Minnesota. It currently ships beans within the United States and to 10 different countries around the world. Bonanza Bean first started shipping overseas in 2012 with a customer in France. The business has since grown, and currently Bonanza Bean is shipping around 30% of its production internationally.

US Trade Logistics (Services: Small to Medium-Sized Company), located in St. Paul, is a U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs-verified Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) specializing in global freight transportation. Founded in 2013, US Trade Logistics provides comprehensive logistics, transportation, and customs brokerage solutions in Europe, Asia, South America, and Africa.

Seer Medical LLC (International Investment Award, Small Company), an Australia-based company, established its first U.S. office in Rochester this year, with the potential to hire up to 20 new positions locally and nationally in the next year. Starting with the field of epilepsy, Seer is reimagining how and where people undergo long-term brain and heart monitoring to make diagnosing and forecasting seizure episodes faster and more accurate.

Yanmar Compact Equipment North America (International Investment Award, Large Company), a subsidiary of Japan-based Yanmar Co., manufactures compact excavators, tracked carriers, and wheel loaders. It is due to break ground on an expansion to its existing factory in Grand Rapids next spring, with a new 32,000-square foot building opening in 2024 – creating hundreds of new jobs in the region.

About the Minnesota Trade Office
The Minnesota Trade Office (MTO), an office within the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED), is focused on increasing state export sales in foreign markets and attracting foreign direct investment to Minnesota. The MTO promotes international trade through technical assistance, export education, training programs, trade promotion activities, services by offices in strategic overseas locations, and export expansion grants.

DEED is the state’s principal economic development agency, promoting business recruitment, expansion and retention, workforce development, international trade, and community development. For more information about the agency and its services, visit the

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