Meet the Team

With humble beginnings and only family members as a workforce, Trade International Group (Trade) started as Empire Printing, founded by Grant Thiem Sr. in 1968. Grant Sr. went on to acquire Padre Printers and Lithographers, a San Diego company, in 1980. In that modest building, Padre Printers was successfully in business when in 1983 the eldest son of three took over the family business and steadily grew it into the international corporation it is today.


  • President

    After graduating from Cal Poly 1981 with a degree in graphic design, Grant became the successor of his fathers print shop in 1983. In 1990, Grant was recruited by the United Nations. At the time Japan was the leading quality printing source at that time, so Grant was hired to spend three weeks visiting over 20 different printing facilities throughout Thailand and Sri-Lanka. His job was to consult with government entities and commercial printers throughout those areas to bring their technologies to a competitive level. Grant evaluated the facilities quality controls, assed their equipment and efficiency procedures and then would make recommendations for the entire facility to bring their overall quality up to a standard that could compete with the Japanese market.

    Grant opened one of the first print maquiladora’s in Tijuana, that Mexico.

    Today, he uses his diplomatic skills and attention to detail to improve his clients day-to-day functionality and marketing needs.


  • Vice President

    Grant III graduated from Salve Regina University in 2013 with a degree in Global Business & Economics. Following in his entrepreneurial father’s footsteps, he started a decade long career in real estate with the goal to start his own brokerage one day. He achieved that goal in 2019 and continues to operate a California based office with agents in Los Angeles, Coachella Valley, and San Diego.

    Grant III also owns and operates a marketing firm who’s clients range from other real estate professionals to credit management solutions companies.

    With these various experiences, Grant III assists Trade in product development, graphic design, packaging, and sales.