FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, October 25, 2011

State Treasurer Clint Zweifel awards Springfield’s Marisol International with $1.5 million low-interest loan

State Treasurer Clint Zweifel announces a $1.5 million loan to Marisol International, which is headquartered in Springfield, Mo. The international shipping logistics company has 50 employees in Springfield and 26 in Kansas City, Mo.

Marisol International's leadership team joins State Treasurer Clint Zweifel at the company's international headquarters in Springfield, Mo. Treasurer Zweifel announced the freight forwarding company had received a $1.5 million low-interest loan impacting 76 Missouri jobs.

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – State Treasurer Clint Zweifel (ZWY-ful) visited Marisol International in Springfield today to announce the international logistics company had been awarded a $1.5 million Missouri Linked Deposit Program loan. The company has 50 employees in Springfield and 26 employees in Kansas City, Mo. Nationwide it has 140 employees.

“Companies working on an international level are vital to Missouri’s economy because of the business they bring home and the opportunities they provide in foreign markets,” Treasurer Zweifel said. “Marisol has branches in Hong Kong, Shanghai and 10 American cities, two of which are right here in Missouri. Half of its global employees are here – 15 added just this year. This loan has allowed Marisol to hire these people and invest in logistics technology upgrades that have grown its Missouri export business by 35 percent in the second half of this year alone. Marisol is a homegrown business working in more than 100 countries – this is an investment we must make now in Springfield.”

Marisol International was founded in Springfield in 2002. The global logistics provider’s other offices are in Dallas, Los Angeles, Memphis, Nashville, New York, Oklahoma City, Omaha and Tulsa. The company is licensed as a United States Customs broker, a Federal Maritime Commission licensed forwarder and non-vessel owning common carrier, International Air Transport Association licensed airfreight agent and a licensed property broker. It provides commercial companies in the global market place supply chain efficiencies, greater visibility and computer-based logistics options.

Some of the companies it works with include: American Dehydrated Foods and NorthStar Battery in Springfield, Dairy Farmers of America and Farmland Foods in Kansas City and Rawlings Sporting Goods in Town and Country, Mo.

The low-interest loan will save Marisol an estimated $100,000 over five years should it choose to take out loans for that length of time.

“This company is committed to the United States, Missouri and our employees,” said Mike Vogt, managing partner of Marisol International. “We are working every day to help bring businesses in Missouri and the U.S. the products and materials they need. The best part is we are bringing American-made goods – Missouri-made goods to the international market place. We are investing right here in Missouri because this is our home, and the tools are there to make necessary upgrades to stay competitive in an ever changing industry. We appreciate the forethought and benefits of the Missouri Linked Deposit Program as it has produced a more stable and positive business environment to help us add over 15 new jobs in Missouri this year.”

Commerce Bank partnered to make this loan. Southwest Missouri has received more than $100 million in loans impacting more than 1,600 jobs and farmers since January 2009. Qualifying borrowers generally save 30 percent on the cost of the loan. More than $800 million in loans have been approved statewide impacting more than 13,500 jobs and farmers.

About the Missouri Linked Deposit Program
The Missouri Linked Deposit Program is managed by State Treasurer Clint Zweifel. Missouri-based small businesses with up to 99 employees and farmers are eligible to receive a loan through the Missouri Linked Deposit Program based on lender underwriting standards. Additionally, local governments, housing developments and alternative-energy focused projects may qualify for the low-interest loans. About 130 lenders with 350 branches throughout Missouri use the Missouri Linked Deposit Program. An extensive list of participating lenders and program eligibility guidelines are online at www.treasurer.mo.gov/LinkedDeposit.