What in the World? MU ITC Company Spotlight: Sunnen Products Company

Sunnen Products Company, a manufacturer of precision metal removal machinery and consumables based in St. Louis, Missouri, has had a long and beneficial relationship with MU International Trade Center faculty, staff and student interns. Over the past nine years, Sunnen has worked with MU to complete six projects that were customized to focus on an industry sector of interest and yield results designed to positively impact the international sales and marketing activities of the company. Projects completed:

• Honing industry insights (Fall 2015)
• Specialized sector analysis (Spring & Fall 2016)
• Electric vehicle industry insights (Fall 2019)
• Grinding industry insights (Fall 2022)
• Aerospace industry sector analysis (Spring 2024)

“With each project completed, we have found the summary reports to be very comprehensive. They have helped us to better understand market trends, the competitive landscape and customer preferences within the industry sector of focus. The services of the MU International Trade Center have been invaluable to us and we wholeheartedly recommend that other companies investigate what MU and the student teams can do to help your business grow.” Tom Dustman, international sales manager for Sunnen, said.

The MU International Trade Center is proud to work alongside Sunnen Products to support the company's continued growth and success as it celebrates its 100th year in 2024.

Highly focused on return on investment, Dustman highlighted the value gained from the research completed by MU across all projects, the actions taken by Sunnen in response to the findings and the impact achieved as a result.

Research value for Sunnen:

• Deep insights into various industry sectors, including aerospace, inside diameter grinding wheel competitors, electric vehicles and the honing (precision bore finishing) market globally.
  • Comprehensive summary reports allowed company leaders understand market trends,  competitive landscapes and customer preferences across different industries.
  • Identification of growth opportunities and potential challenges within each industry sector.
  • Strategic intelligence informed the company’s decision-making processes and future planning initiatives across diverse markets.

Key actions Sunnen has taken linked to the research completed at MU:

• Implemented targeted marketing and sales strategies tailored to the unique needs and preferences of each industry sector.
• Developed new products and services specifically designed to address emerging trends and market demands within aerospace, I.D. grinding, electric vehicle honing applications and honing industry in general.
• Enhanced customer engagement and relationship-building efforts through industry-specific outreach and communication initiatives.

Impact achieved at Sunnen:

• Increased market penetration and expansion into various industry segments, including aircraft/aerospace, and honing markets in general.
• Generation of new sales leads and business opportunities within each industry sector studied.
• Strengthened Sunnen’s market positioning and competitive advantage across diverse markets.
• Contributions to job creation, investments and overall economic growth as a result of Sunnen's strategic initiatives informed by the research conducted across multiple sectors by the MU student teams.

About Sunnen: 

Headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri, Sunnen Products Company has been a global leader in honing, sizing and finishing solutions for 100 years. Mostly known for their precision honing solutions, where they “make holes better,” the company has expanded into bore creation with a new line of business for deep hole drilling solutions that include a skiving and roller burnishing machine, a deep hole drill machine, cutting tools, cutting inserts and related accessories. 

Sunnen operates 14 regional facilities located in Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, Czechia, France, Germany, India, Italy, Mexico, Poland, Switzerland and United Kingdom. These facilities serve as centers of production, service and innovation, connecting the company with customers from around the globe. Sunnen’s worldwide presence consists of nearly 50 markets, supported by linkages in place through the company’s subsidiaries and distributors.

Congratulations are also extended to Sunnen Products on their May 2024 receipt of the President’s E-Star Award for Exports by the U.S. Department of Commerce.  Sunnen was one of 64 companies recognized for their excellence in furthering U.S. exports, and one of 13 entities to receive the prestigious E Star Award for Exports. This is Sunnen’s second time receiving the E Star award, having also received the honor in 1986.