INTERNATIONAL TRADE : Weak Dollar Means Good Business for Exporter For Trade

While a lot of corporate managers these days are preoccupied with cutting staff and expenses in preparation for an economic downturn, many exporters say business has never been better.

ForTrade International, an El Toro firm that procures U.S. high-technology equipment and electronic components for European companies, said its exports have grown 30% this year and should continue to benefit from the weak U.S. dollar. A weaker dollar makes U.S. products more competitive in the world market.

“There’s a need for infrastructure development in Eastern Europe, and there are a lot of opportunities in Western Europe for our company,” said Kathleen Miltimore, chief financial officer of ForTrade.

ForTrade was co-founded two years ago by Marilyn Loewy, former export administration director for McDonnell Douglas Information Systems Co. in Newport Beach, and Miltimore, formerly import-export manager for Printronix Inc. in Irvine. In 1989, the company’s revenue reached $400,000, about half from exports. The company expects sales to grow 10% in 1990.