Governor’s Award for Excellence in Global Trade presented to five Arkansas companies
Five honored are providing Arkansas products and services around the world
Written by Scott Hardin, Director of Communications at Arkansas Economic Development Commission
LITTLE ROCK, Arkansas (September 19, 2026) – Five Arkansas companies were presented the Governor’s Award for Excellence in Global Trade this week in Little Rock. The award honors companies of all sizes for excellence in actively selling products in international markets. The companies awarded this year are doing business in countries including Australia, Canada, Germany, Iceland, Italy, Jordan, Korea, Spain, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates.
“International trade is critically important for the success of individual companies and for the growth of our state, and Arkansas is fortunate to have many thriving companies that are actively pursuing opportunities to sell products and provide services around the globe,” said Secretary of Commerce Hugh McDonald. “With the Governor’s Awards for Excellence in Global Trade, we aim to recognize Arkansas companies that are finding success in the international market, and we congratulate these five companies on their growth and wish them continued success in the years to come.”
The Arkansas District Export Council (DEC) established the annual award in 2009, in collaboration with the Arkansas Economic Development Commission, the U.S. Commercial Service, and the Arkansas World Trade Center. The Arkansas DEC is a non-profit organization composed of experienced exporters and businesspeople who regularly provide support services to exporting companies. Each member has been appointed by the U.S. Secretary of Commerce as a result of expertise in international trade matters and a commitment to volunteerism.
“Through their innovation and commitment to international expansion, the companies honored today are providing great jobs for Arkansans, positively affecting the local and state economy, and setting a great example for everyone working to grow their company,” said Jonathan Bricker, Chairman of the Arkansas DEC. “At the Arkansas DEC, we have a team of experts in trade and exporting ready to serve, whether it’s a small business searching for new markets or civic group in need of a speaker on trade.”
The five 2026 Governor’s Award winners are:
femPAQ Inc. (Fayetteville) – Global Impact in Women’s Health Award
femPAQ, Inc. is based in Fayetteville. The company, founded in 2020, is taking Arkansas innovation into international markets with its patented period-care products, exporting to Canada through Big Brands Canada and expanding to more than 700 retail locations across the U.S. and Canada. femPAQ has moved more than 13,000 units in six months without paid marketing, reached 418 Walmart stores across 46 states, and impacted more than 2,000 students through its menstrual health and equity initiatives.
Staley House LLC (Helena) – Global Impact in Medical Innovation Award
Staley House LLC is a woman-owned medical device company and creator of the FreeArm® Tube Feeding Assistant, an FDA Class I device that improves safety, independence, and convenience for tube-fed patients and their caregivers. Inspired by founder and CEO Misti Staley’s personal experience, FreeArm has grown into an award-winning Arkansas innovation serving patients in 28 countries. Since its first export sale to Australia in 2019, Staley House has expanded into Australia, Canada, Europe, and the United Kingdom, with exports representing 16.4% of total sales in FY2025. Through innovation and global partnerships, Staley House is improving quality of life for tube-fed families while bringing Arkansas medical innovation to the world.
Pacmac, Inc., (Fayetteville) – Excellence in Global Packaging Innovation Award
Pacmac, Inc. founded in 1974, manufactures custom automated packaging equipment for food and consumer product manufacturers worldwide. Since its first export to Australia in 1982, Pacmac has expanded into markets across North America, South America, the Caribbean, Europe, and Oceania. Export sales grew from 6% of total sales in Fiscal Year 2023 to 10% in Fiscal Year 2025, supporting continued manufacturing, technical jobs, and innovation in Arkansas.
Pellucere Technologies Inc. (Springdale) – Excellence in Global Manufacturing & Innovation Award
Pellucere Technologies Inc., founded in 2012, develops patented nanotechnology coatings for solar panels, optical systems, and aerospace applications. Since its first export sale to Germany in 2021, Pellucere has expanded into markets including India, Germany, Italy, Spain, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates, with exports representing 12.4% of Fiscal Year 2025 sales. Its manufacturing facility in India enables Arkansas-developed technology to compete globally while keeping core innovation, product development, and intellectual property rooted in Springdale.
PEPM Group, PLLC (Fayetteville) – Excellence in Global Engineering Services Award
PEPM Group, PLLC , founded in 2015, is a full-service engineering and project management firm serves industrial manufacturing and processing facilities worldwide, providing specialized engineering, 3D modeling, procurement, and construction management services. Since opening its Arkansas office in 2021 with one employee, PEPM has grown to 13 Arkansas employees, with export sales increasing from 15% of Arkansas office sales in Fiscal Year 2023 to 24% in Fiscal Year 2025. PEPM began exporting to Korea in 2022 and now supports projects across more than a dozen international markets. Its growing global business is creating high-skilled jobs in Arkansas and showcasing Fayetteville-based engineering expertise on the world stage.
Stay tuned for your chance to nominate companies for the 2027 Governor’s Awards!
A Huge Thank You to the UA Fayetteville students who produced the four NWA videos and all photographs. Excellent work!
Thank you also to Clark Cogbill and the team at AEDC for their video of Staley House and all the support. Excellent work!
