ST. PAUL – The Minnesota Trade Office (MTO) has named nine companies winners of the 2010 Governor's International Trade Awards for success in building global markets.

This year's winners are 3M Co., St. Paul; Ideal Aerosmith, East Grand Forks; Leeds Forensic Systems Inc., Minneapolis; MOCON Inc., Brooklyn Park; Network Executive Software Inc., Maple Grove; ReconRobotics Inc., Edina; Rosenbauer America LLC, Wyoming; Viracon, Owatonna; and Knewtson Soy Products LLP, Good Thunder.

"Minnesota companies sold nearly $15 billion in manufactured exports last year," said Dan McElroy, commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development. "State exports have rebounded strongly through the first half of 2010, approaching the record volumes of 2008. The nine award winners recognize the value that diverse, global markets can bring to their bottom line."

The companies were selected for developing and continuing to expand a significant part of their business in foreign markets, for increasing or maintaining jobs in Minnesota to support international sales, and for developing novel approaches for competing globally.