Federally-funded grant money supports Vermont’s small businesses to diversify their exports into overseas markets, create new jobs, and build relationships
Vermont Business Magazine Ann Clark Ltd, a Vermont-based gourmet baking supply company, was awarded a STEP grant by the Vermont Department of Economic Development for the second consecutive year. The Rutland company plans to use the grant funds to continue its expansion into international markets in Canada, Germany, France, Italy, and the United Kingdom after seeing profitable growth since 2023 due to the grant’s support.
Ann Clark will increase its digital advertising on Amazon’s international websites, targeting each of its export market countries. The company pays close attention to international holidays and markets its cookie cutters and baking products with local customs in mind. For instance, goose-shaped cookies are part of St. Martin’s Day celebrations in Germany, fish shapes (“Poisson d’Avril”) are a popular item for April Fool’s Day in France, and Sky Blue food coloring excels in the UK whenever Manchester City FC wins the Premier League.
"As a Vermont light-manufacturer and America's largest maker of cookie cutters, we are delighted that bakers all over the world – in 20 countries from Canada to Singapore – have responded so enthusiastically to our products,” said Ben Clark, CEO of Ann Clark. “The STEP grants support our ecommerce strategy abroad, which in turn fuels growth at home. International sales now account for more than 30% of our direct-to-consumer sales, and we see international business, especially in key regions like the UK and EU, as integral for the growth of our brand. Our large and growing export business also means more jobs right here in Vermont, at our cookie-cutter plant and food-production facility.”
Vermont’s State Trade Expansion Program (STEP) started in 2010 and is funded in part through a grant from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and is administered by the Vermont Department of Economic Development. The goal of the program is to increase exports from Vermont small businesses, increase their sales, and create new jobs within the Green Mountain State. From 2020 to 2022, STEP helped 48 companies resulting in 84 new jobs and $7,024,020 in additional export sales.
“Ann Clark is a great company that has set the standard in Vermont for utilizing Amazon and exporting their products across the world. The Department of Economic Development takes pride in supporting businesses like Ann Clark, whose global success demonstrates how local excellence can transcend borders,” said Daegan Goodman, State Trade Expansion Program Manager for the Vermont Department of Economic Development.
For more information about Ann Clark Cookie Cutters, please visit annclark.com.
For more information about the STEP grant, please visit accd.vermont.gov/STEP.
About Ann Clark Ltd.:
Blending her unique folk art designs and custom hand-painted recipe cards, Ann Clark launched her first line of metal cookie cutters in 1989, and Ann Clark Ltd. was born. Today, Ann Clark is the largest manufacturer of cookie cutters and the fastest-growing maker of food coloring in the United States. The product line today includes baking essentials – from rolling pins to baking parchment – plus over 700 cookie cutter shapes, each handmade out of USA steel. In addition to hard goods, Ann Clark Ltd. has expanded their product line to include premium ingredients & baking mixes made with the same uncompromisingly high quality standards that the Ann Clark Ltd. brand is known for. Building upon three decades of industry experience, Ann Clark has become a steadfast ally for cookie and cake decorators, bakers and chefs seeking inspiration and the best possible products to add to their kitchens.
About the Vermont Department of Economic Development:
The Department of Economic Development works to improve the economic well-being and quality of life of Vermonters, while preserving the state’s natural resources and community values. Providing administrative funding to twelve Regional Development Corporations (RDCs), the DED serves every geographic region of Vermont.
Source: Rutland, VT – February 27, 2024 – Ann Clark Ltd
