PowerUp™  – a subsidiary company of Barcoding, Inc.  – is growing its reach far beyond its hometown of Baltimore, Md.

The local business has made a name for itself as the industry’s premium charging technology company, with products including cell phone charging lockers, tables, and towers. Recently, PowerUp™ shipped $100,000 worth of products to Panama to be distributed within the Central American country. Entering this market for the first time was achievable and seamless, thanks to help from the team at the Maryland Department of Commerce, according to Jay Steinmetz, CEO of Barcoding, Inc.

The company worked with the state to identify tariffs and international shipping costs, and received the necessary guidance to help calm their concerns surrounding the exporting project.

“We would have never followed through with an international lead without the help of the Maryland Department of Commerce,” said Steinmetz. “Their assistance and support gave us the confidence to move forward.”

Now that the company is comfortable with exploring the global market , it plans to continue advertising its products and targeting additional Latin American countries, including Chile.

While PowerUp™ products can be found in both Oriole Park at Camden Yards and M&T Bank Stadium, and several airports and colleges across the country, the company’s big focus is providing the technology in hospitals and increasing patient experience across the board.

“Our charging towers are in just about every hospital’s waiting rooms in Baltimore,” said Steinmetz. “We support the products and support our clients directly.”

With about 60 workers in Baltimore, PowerUp™ and Barcoding, Inc. are able to manufacture products in Highlandtown, and provide the one-on-one customer service needed for the company (and clients) to succeed. The companies are also focused on investing in the local workforce to help city residents achieve their career goals.

“We’re hiring city residents for this work, helping them build their skill sets, and empowering them along the way,” said Steinmetz.

Barcoding, Inc. has previously explored the international market with the state’s assistance. In early 2020, before the pandemic spread, Steinmetz joined Lt. Governor Boyd Rutherford’s trade mission to Israel, where the company fostered new partnerships and ultimately leveraged approximately $250,000 in sales. The company also participated in the state’s delegation to Cybertech Tel Aviv that same year.

But Israel and Panama are two different markets—and Steinmetz’s team was unfamiliar with collaborating with the Latin American region.

“Commerce was timely and effective, and helped reduce the barriers in doing this project. If we didn’t have the department’s assistance, we would not have taken this chance,” said Steinmetz.

Are you a Maryland business wanting to export or expand into global markets? Check out these resources .