BILLERICA, Mass — EMD Millipore, the Life Science division of Merck KGaA of Darmstadt, Germany, today accepted the Chairman’s Award from Governor Deval Patrick at the Associated Industries of Massachusetts (AIM) Annual Meeting held in Waltham, MA. This award recognizes a Massachusetts firm, institution or public agency of any size that has demonstrated excellence in international trade. Headquartered in Billerica, Mass., EMD Millipore serves customers in 100 countries with 10,000 employees across 68 countries.

A short video discussing EMD Millipore’s international success and priorities was shown before President Robert Yates accepted this award on behalf of the division. “We are honored to receive this year’s Chairman’s Award,” said Robert Yates, President of EMD Millipore. “As a leading supplier to the Life Sciences Industry, the international market is increasingly important to our success. The talent, resources and culture of innovation in the state of Massachusetts make it a great location for our divisional headquarters, and supports our ability to meet the demands of our international customers.”

EMD Millipore products meet the needs of researchers and scientists worldwide. Of the division’s 10,000 employees, 6,400 are located outside of the United States. Eighty percent of the division’s business is run through global business units, while twenty percent is conducted through the EMD Millipore International organization, which uses local contacts in sales, subsidiaries and distributors to reach customers in the most effective way. This international customization has enabled EMD Millipore to successfully serve and connect with the global market.

“Our Global Trade Award winners are exemplary Massachusetts businesses that don’t think in terms of boundaries or borders, but in terms of opportunity,” AIM CEO Richard Lord said in a statement. “Taking advantage of all that Massachusetts has to offer positions companies like our winners for exceptional global success.”

Other companies recognized at this year’s AIM event are Kinefac and Lenox Tools. The winners were determined by a selection committee established by AIM’s International Business Council. This was AIM’s 98th annual meeting