Alabama Gov. Bob Riley (left) presents SirsiDynix CEO Patrick Sommers (center) and Vice President of Global Alliances Lamar Jackson with the Governor's Trade Excellence Award during a ceremony in Montgomery, Ala., on March 8, 2006.

SirsiDynix was recently recognized by Alabama Gov. Bob Riley for excellence in exporting products and services around the world and for contributing to the state’s recent business boom.

Eight Alabama-based companies received the Governor’s Trade Excellence Award during a ceremony and luncheon in Montgomery, Ala., on March 8. Chief Executive Officer Patrick Sommers and Vice President of Global Alliances Lamar Jackson accepted the award on behalf of SirsiDynix.

“SirsiDynix was founded on a commitment to innovation, quality and customer-centric values,” Sommers said. “And because we are dedicated to strengthening libraries around the world in better serving their communities, SirsiDynix is pleased to accept this award from the governor. The award reflects the dedication of our more than 650 employees worldwide, as well as our market’s understanding that we are the best in our field.”

Jackson added, “A large percentage of SirsiDynix new sales last year came from international customers, and those sales provide substantial economic benefits to Huntsville and to Alabama. We have been exporting strategic technology solutions for libraries for 20 years, and SirsiDynix is known worldwide for its comprehensive solutions. More than 20,000 library outlets around the world use SirsiDynix software and services, including eight of the 10 largest libraries in the world and 20 of the top 30.”

The governor praised SirsiDynix and the other reward recipients for their contributions to Alabama’s economy, which grew 19 percent in 2005 compared to the national average of 10.6 percent. “One reason Alabama’s economy has experienced strong growth is because of exports,” Riley said. “It opens new markets for our companies and creates jobs. I am pleased to be able to recognize these companies that are contributing so much to Alabama.”

SirsiDynix serves more than 40 countries and has major worldwide offices in Huntsville, Ala., Provo, Utah, and St. Louis, Mo., in the United States; Montreal, Quebec and Waterloo, Ontario, in Canada; London, Paris and Hamburg in Europe; Shanghai, Taipei and Singapore in Asia; Auckland, New Zealand; and Melbourne and Adelaide in Australia. The company has distributors in the Middle East, Africa, Latin America and Asia.