Politics & Government

Nixon Visits Ungerboeck Software to Discuss Growth in State Exports

Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon discussed plans for economic growth and steps to help businesses expand globally Thursday at Ungerboeck Software International in Dardenne Prairie.

Ungerboeck Software International in Dardenne Prairie produces event management software for companies as close to home as the Fox Theatre in St. Louis and as far away as Disneyland Paris.

President Krister Ungerboeck said the company that got its start 25 years ago in his family’s basement in Chesterfield, is now the fastest-growing software company in St. Louis.

“We build software that brings people together for meetings and events,” he said. “We create software that powers your favorite sports teams, rock concerts, award-winning Broadway shows, educational conferences and even museums.”

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On Thursday, Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon visited the business to tout the successes of Ungerboeck and other companies, which helped Missouri exports grow to $14.1 billion last year, breaking a state record set in 2007.

Nixon told a crowd of employees that his top priority for the year is to maintain this export momentum and continue creating jobs to move the economy forward.

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“Selling more Missouri-made goods overseas means more jobs here at home," Nixon said. "That’s why we’re increasing sales of Missouri-made goods around the world and why that has been a top priority for me since Day One."

Ungerboeck said 99 percent of the company's business is from outside of Missouri, and more than 50 percent comes from customers in 47 different countries.

“We bring dollars from our customers outside of the United States to create jobs here in St. Louis, “ he said.

Over the next 12 months, the family-owned global company plans to add 30 jobs in the St. Louis area.

Ungerboeck said exports are crucial to the work the company does each day.

In October, the governor lead a delegation of 60 Missouri businesses and agricultural leaders to China to close a series of agreements to sell $4.6 billion in Missouri goods to Chinese consumers.

He referenced the trip during his visit Thursday.

“I don’t know about you all, but won’t it be nice when they go to the store in Bejing and pick up something that says made in the U.S.A.?” Nixon said.

He added that the increased number of exports fits right in with his strategic plan for economic growth and that the state will take steps to support other organizations working to expand globally.

Under his Missouri Works plan, the governor said, the state will establish a “one-stop shop” to provide assistance and resources from state government to organizations that want to start or expand their export business.

“You’ll have a portal in our state where you can talk about the various problems you have so that we can work those problems,” said Nixon, adding that language barriers are one example of challenges met by export businesses.

Missouri Works will also establish an international exports coordinator within the Missouri Department of Agriculture and open export offices in China, South America and Southeast Asia.

In addition to increasing exports, the Missouri Works strategy will help bring more auto suppliers to the area, Nixon said.


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