U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker Presents U.S. Companies with President's "E" Award for Export Success

Today, U.S. Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker honored 45 American companies and organizations, many of which are small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), at the 2015 President’s “E” Awards ceremony. This year marks the 53^rd anniversary of the “E” Awards presentation, which recognizes companies and organizations that make a significant contribution to the expansion of U.S. exports.

“Today’s awardees have made substantial contributions to increasing U.S. exports, which are critical to spurring economic growth and job creation,” said Secretary Penny Pritzker. “Exports continue to be a driver of our economy, supporting more than 11.7 million jobs in cities and communities across the country. Furthermore, these exporters are examples of the historic progress in our export growth. In 2014, U.S. exports hit an all-time high of $2.34 trillion, accounting for 13.4 percent of GDP. By exporting more Made-in-America goods and services, U.S. businesses are growing faster, hiring more workers, and paying better wages.”

In 1961, President Kennedy signed an executive order reviving the World War II “E” symbol of excellence to honor and provide recognition to America's exporters. The President’s “E” Award is the highest recognition any U.S. entity can receive for making a significant contribution to the expansion of U.S. exports.  

“Only a small percentage of America’s 30 million companies export, and of U.S. companies that do export, 59 percent export to only one country. Increasing this number can have a big impact on the U.S. economy,” Pritzker added.

Many of the “E” Awardees are able to conduct business globally as a result of the 14 Trade Agreements with 20 countries currently in place. The Obama administration is working closely with Congress to pass trade promotion legislation, which outlines Congressional priorities on trade agreements, so that the trade deals currently being negotiated can be put in place and keep America open for business. These two trade agreements, the Trans-Pacific Partnership and the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership, would give the United States free trade arrangements with countries representing 65 percent of global GDP. If agreed on, these trade agreements will support more U.S. jobs, eliminate additional barriers to U.S. exports, and set rules to level the playing field for U.S. companies, farmers, ranchers and workers.

Winners of the 2015 “E” Awards represent various communities across the country, including Van Nuys, Calif.; Edina, Minn.; Gilbert, Ariz.; Chicago, Ill.; Sanford, Fla.; and Ellington, Conn. This year’s honorees represent 20 states, with 35 SMEs and 21 manufacturers receiving awards.

This year, 26 companies were honored with the “E” Award for Exports for demonstrating a sustained increase in export sales over a four-year period. Twelve companies that assist and facilitate export activities were honored with the “E” Award for Export Service. Four firms received the “E” Star Award for Exports, which recognizes previous “E” Award winners who have reported four years of additional export growth. And, three companies were awarded the “E” Star Award for Export Service, which recognizes previous “E” Award winners that have shown four years of continued support of exporters since first winning the “E” Award.

American companies are nominated for “E” Awards through the U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service office network, located within the Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration. Record years of successive export growth and an applicant’s demonstration of an innovative international marketing plan that led to the increase in exports is a significant factor in selecting winners. The 2015 “E” Awardees are:

“E” Award for Exports

• Ace Pump Corporation – Memphis, Tenn.
• American Completion Tools – Burleson, Texas
• Bespoke Group LLC – Irving, Texas
• Dymotek – Ellington, Conn.
• EnvironX Solutions Inc. – Colleyville, Texas
• Garrett Popcorn Holding Company – Chicago, Ill.
• Harley-Davidson Motor Company – Milwaukee, Wis.
• Hernon Manufacturing Inc. – Sanford, Fla.
• ImmunoReagents, Inc. – Raleigh, N.C.
• Indian Industries, Inc. – Evansville, Ind.
• Jonal Laboratories, Inc. – Meriden, Conn.
• Lodge Manufacturing Company – South Pittsburg, Tenn.
• Louroe Electronics –   Van Nuys, Calif.
• Merchants Distributors, LLC – Hickory, N.C.
• Mutualink LLC – Wallingford, Conn.
• PACE Technologies, Inc. – Tucson, Ariz.
• Proton OnSite – Wallingford, Conn.
• Quality Switch, Inc. –  Newton Falls, Ohio
• Right at Home, Inc. – Omaha, Neb.
• Rigid Industries LED Lighting – Gilbert, Ariz.
• Sealed Air Corporation – Elmwood Park, N.J.
• Sumac – Chicago, Ill.
• Thornton Academy –  Saco, Maine
• Tuleu Consulting – Metairie, La.
• Wisdom Natural Brands – Gilbert, Ariz.
• Wudel International – Mesa, Ariz.

“E” Award for Export Service

• Allocca Enterprises Inc. – York, S.C.
• Dunavant Logistics Group, LLC – Memphis, Tenn.
• Dunlap International, Inc. – Central City, Iowa
• Echo International – Pittsburgh, Pa.
• Finacity Corporation – Stamford, Conn.
• FirstMerit Bank, N.A. – Akron, Ohio
• Illinois SBDC International Trade Center at Governors State University – University Park, Ill.
• Leon Hess Business School, Department of Marketing & International Business – West Long Branch, N.J.
• MB Financial Bank – Chicago, Ill.
• Shipman and Goodwin LLP – Hartford, Conn.
• The Corporate Council on Africa – Washington, D.C.
• Trade Acceptance Group, Ltd. – Edina, Minn.

“E” Star Award for Exports

• Oil Center Research International, L.L.C. – Lafayette, La.
• Unique Spectronix, Inc. – Irvine, Calif.
• Vac Pac, Inc. – Baltimore, Md.
• Volk Optical Inc. – Mentor, Ohio

“E” Star Award for Export Service

• Edwards Global Services – Irvine, Calif.
• Pennsylvania Office of International Business Development – Harrisburg, Pa.
• Trade Technologies, Inc. – Austin, Texas

For more information about the “E” Awards and the benefits of exporting, visit www.export.gov.