Combustion Associates, Inc. (CAI) was the featured “Success Story” on the Export.gov website. The Success Stories webpage features companies that are lucratively exporting their products internationally.
The Story
In 2007, with the assistance of US Commercial Service, CAI won a tender with the Government of Benin for dual-fired gas turbines of 80 megawatt (MW) capacity to address the country’s increasingly dire energy shortages and related electricity power cuts.
US Commercial Service staff in California worked with the Advocacy Center and the US Embassy in Benin to set up a series of meetings with Benin’s President
Boni Yayi, the Ministers of Finance and Energy, and the Counselor to the President on Energy Affairs. CAI was awarded a multi-million dollar contract.
The Success
Since 2007, CAI has continued to expand into new markets abroad, including Central America, Asia and Africa.
Along with the consistent growth in exports of modular power plants comes job development in the countries CAI does business with. “The real success story is about economic prosperity, job growth and quality of life changes for our customers,” Kusum Kavia, CAI’s International Marketing Manager.
“Exporting continues to be the foundation of our sales growth, and we are honored to be showcased on this internationally esteemed website,” Mukund Kavia, CAI’s President and CEO. “When we first began exporting in 1995, export sales accounted for 10 percent of our total sales. Over the past four years, our export sales have grown to nearly 90 percent of our total sales, enabling us to sustain and create jobs as well as move our operations to a brand new larger facility.”
Located in Corona, California, CAI is a manufacturer and systems integrator of Modular Electric Power Plants, Skid-mounted Process Systems and Air Pollution Control Systems. The CAI Spirit 1, 3, 5 and 10 MW line of Gas Turbine Generators are designed for scalability, portability, fuel flexibility and cost efficiency. The CAI Spirit units have multiple fuel options, including green fuels for added environmental benefit.
CAI has implemented its single mission of providing outstanding custom-engineered solutions in Energy, Process and Environmental Systems and to building long-term relationships.
The Result
Over its 20 years history, CAI has won the following Federal & State Awards:
2011 President’s “E” Award for Excellence in Exporting - US Department of Commerce
2009 Spirit of the Entrepreneur Award for Technology – CSUSB
2009 Exporter of the Year Award for Sub-Saharan Africa – US ExIm Bank
2008 National Minority Person of the Year Award – US Dept of Commerce
2007 Vendor Excellence Award – US Department of Defense
2006 National Exporter of the Year Award – US SBA
