Episode 33: Sofab Inks is an innovative Kentucky-based solar startup that successfully transitioned from a University of Louisville research project to a global business player. Co-founders Peter Armstrong and Jack Manzella lead the company in producing a groundbreaking tin oxide nanoparticle ink designed to solve scaling flaws in perovskite solar cells. Recognizing that 90% of their target manufacturing market is located in Asia, the team prioritized international trade early in their commercialization journey. To navigate this expansion, they leveraged critical resources from the World Trade Center Kentucky (WTCKY), including international trade certification and compliance training. They also utilized the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development's STEP grant to facilitate essential face-to-face meetings with major customers in China and Japan. This "FaceTime" strategy allowed the startup to build trust and secure commercial agreements with manufacturers eager for their efficiency-boosting technology.

Beyond the tech, the leaders emphasize the importance of resilient co-founding teams and finding expert distribution partners to navigate complex foreign markets. The startup's success highlights the massive potential for thin, lightweight solar applications in industries ranging from aerospace to electric vehicles. Throughout the process, the WTCKY acted as an authoritative partner, helping the team master the nuances of international shipping and regulatory compliance. Ultimately, Sofab Inks serves as a prime example of how Kentucky startups can harness local expertise and global networks to achieve international success.

So keep in touch friends, if you're listening to this, I'm going to put a link to some of the resources we talk today about and obviously to the website. That'll all be available to you in the show notes. So hopefully you'll have time to go and check it out. And if you're thinking, if you're dreaming, if you think this is something you might want to do, you've got some guys right here that have just spent the last 30 minutes talking about their journey and I hope it's inspired you. So from all of us here at the World Trade Center, Kentucky's This Global Trade Adventure podcast, when you're ready to engage in international commerce, we connect businesses globally.

To Learn More:

Website: www.sofabinks.com

Upcoming WTCKY EVENTS:

· 04/14/26 – 04/16/26 – International Trade Certification

· 04/22/26 – Protecting Corporate Assets in the Global Marketplace

· 0825-26/26 – World Trade Day 2026 Global Business Summit

· 10/12/26 - 10/21/26 – Discover Beautiful Ireland with WTCKY

The next episode of our podcast will launch on 04/13/26. Thank you for listening. Be sure to follow This Global Trade Adventure on your favorite podcast platform, or at www.WTCKY.com/podcast.

We hope you enjoyed this episode. Our schedule is to publish a new episode on the 2nd Monday of each month.

Please consider sharing this with your colleagues. Until next time, thank you for listening and welcome to This Global Trade Adventure.

In Episode 32, Brian French, Senior Vice President of International Banking at Stockyards Bank and Trust, brings over 25 years of financial experience to the discussion of how businesses can successfully get paid during global transactions. He highlights that many companies often fail to recognize their business as "international" when dealing with neighboring countries like Mexico or Canada, which still requires navigating specific nuances and risks. French emphasizes that his primary goals when onboarding a client are to improve the cost-efficiency of transactions and enhance payment security. To achieve this, the bank offers diverse services including international wire transfers in over 70 currencies, exchange rate hedging, and clearing foreign checks. For securing payments, he discusses the trade-offs between the guaranteed protection of letters of credit and the more cost-effective but less restrictive documentary collections.

A recurring theme in the interview is the necessity of involving banking experts early in the negotiation process to avoid complications after contracts are already signed. French prides himself on the "personal touch" his institution provides, often visiting manufacturing plants in person rather than relying on automated call centers. He also provides practical advice for exporters, such as understanding Incoterms and requesting invoices in both U.S. dollars and foreign currency to avoid hidden markups. Ultimately, the conversation underscores that a strong network of advisors—including bankers, freight forwarders, and the World Trade Center Kentucky—is vital for navigating the "ebb and flow" of global trade.

In closing, I hope you found the information helpful, insightful, and when you're ready to do business internationally, just remember at the World Trade Center, Kentucky, we're connecting businesses globally.

To Learn More:

Website: www.syb.com

Phone Number: (502) 625-9949

Upcoming WTCKY EVENTS:

· 02/10/26 – Kentucky Industry Legislative Reception

· 04/14/26 – 04/16/26 – International Trade Certification

· 10/12/26 - 10/21/26 – Discover Beautiful Ireland with WTCKY

The next episode of our podcast will launch on 03/09/26. Thank you for listening. Be sure to follow This Global Trade Adventure on your favorite podcast platform, or at www.WTCKY.com/podcast.

We hope you enjoyed this episode. Our schedule is to publish a new episode on the 2nd Monday of each month.

Please consider sharing this with your colleagues. Until next time, thank you for listening and welcome to This Global Trade Adventure.

Episode 31: We had the pleasure of interviewing Melanie Raymond, Chief Economist for Global Affairs Canada, at a 2025 event at the Gatton College of Business and Economics. She underscores the deeply integrated trading relationship between Canada and the United States, which reached nearly $920 billion in goods and services last year. She highlights that Canada is the top export destination for 35 U.S. states, including Kentucky, which sent $7 billion in goods to Canada to support various supply chains. She points out that the automotive industry remains a hallmark of this integration, with some vehicle parts crossing the border six times before a car is completed. However, she notes that recent 50% tariffs on steel and aluminum have increased costs for American buyers, as Canada is the largest supplier of these materials to the U.S. These higher input costs have a tangible impact on American families, contributing to rising prices for home construction and everyday items like canned food and beverages.

Melanie observes that while U.S. imports of Canadian oil have seen a recent decline, there has been an increase in trade for aerospace products and electrical equipment. Despite these challenges, she emphasizes that the economic ties remain enduring and that finding a mutually beneficial solution is essential for future prosperity.

In closing, I hope you found the information helpful, insightful, and when you're ready to do business internationally, just remember at the World Trade Center, Kentucky, we're connecting businesses globally.

To Learn More:

Website: https://international.canada.ca/en/global-affairs

Upcoming WTCKY EVENTS:

· 02/03/26 – Global Executive Forum: Expanding Kentucky's Reach in the UAE Market

· 02/10/26 – Kentucky Industry Legislative Reception

· 04/14/26 – 04/16/26 – International Trade Certification

· 10/12/26 - 10/21/26 – Discover Beautiful Ireland with WTCKY

The next episode of our podcast will launch on 02/09/26. Thank you for listening. Be sure to follow This Global Trade Adventure on your favorite podcast platform, or at www.WTCKY.com/podcast.

We hope you enjoyed this episode. Our schedule is to publish a new episode on the 2nd Monday of each month.

Please consider sharing this with your colleagues. Until next time, thank you for listening and welcome to This Global Trade Adventure.