U.S. Secretary of Commerce Kicks Off World Trade Week by Honoring U.S. Firms with Presidential Export Award

U.S. Secretary of Commerce Kicks Off World Trade Week by Honoring U.S. Firms with Presidential Export Award 05/21/2018 11:50 AM EDT Today, at the 2018 President’s “E” Awards ceremony, Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross honored 43 U.S. companies and organizations that export U.S. goods and services. Companies representing 18 states were recognized as part of the 56th anniversary of the award. This year’s honorees include 33 small and medium-sized businesses as well as 17 manufacturers. “Since his inauguration, job creation has been a top priority for President Trump as well as his entire Administration,” said Secretary Ross. “There is no better way to kick off World Trade Week than to honor these companies who have increased exports while creating jobs for communities across the United States.”  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. In 1961, President Kennedy signed an executive order reviving the World War II “E” symbol of excellence to honor and recognize America's exporters. Today’s honorees helped contribute to exporting more than two trillion dollars’ worth of U.S. goods and services in 2017, and nearly 11 million American jobs were supported by exports in 2016. This year, 25 companies and organizations were honored with the “E” Award for Exports for demonstrating a sustained increase in export sales over a four-year period. There were nine companies and organizations that assisted and facilitated export activities who received the “E” Award for Export Service. The “E” Star Award for Exports, which recognizes previous “E” Awardees who have reported four years of additional export growth, was awarded to eight firms. One company was awarded the “E” Star Award for Export Service, which recognizes previous “E” Awardees that have shown four years of continued support of exporters since first winning the “E” Award. The 2018 “E” Awardees are:  “E” Award for Exports Applied Membranes, Inc – Vista, CA Automated Packaging Systems – Streetsboro, OH Beekley Medical – Bristol, CT  Colorado Mesa University – International Student Admissions and Programs – Grand Junction, CO  Colorado State University – Fort Collins, CO CoreBrace, LLC – West Jordan, UT EXEPRON – Lafayette, LA Flexo Concepts – Plymouth, MA Fortune Products, Inc. – Cedar Park, TX Global Airtech – Van Nuys, CA GT Mfg., Inc. – Clay City, KS GTX Technologies LLC – Amarillo, TX Helicopter Tech, Inc. – King of Prussia, PA iTEP International, LLC – Canoga Park, CA Jeppsen – Englewood, CA Kira Labs Inc – Pompano Beach, FL Maxxess Systems – Yorba Linda, CA Micronova Manufacturing, Inc. – Torrance, CA Mercury Medical – Clearwater, FL PDI Ground Support Systems – Solon, OH Phenix Technology, Inc. – Riverside, CA Santa Monica College – Santa Monica, CA Thomas Gallaway Corporation DBA Technology – Irvine, CA United Franchise Group – West Palm Beach, FL WorldBusiness Capital, Inc. – Hartford, CT “E” Award for Export Service Alabama Department of Commerce – Montgomery, AL  CohnReznick LLP – New York, NY Greater Irvine Chamber of Commerce – Irvine, CA First American Bank – Elk Grove Village, IL First National Bank – Pittsburgh, PA FTC Commercial Corp. – Los Angeles, CA National Marine Manufacturers Association – Chicago, IL Phillips Lytle LLP – Buffalo, NY Silicon Valley Venture Capital Corp DBA Global4PL – Milpitas, CA  “E” Star Award for Exports Allied Wire & Cable, Inc. – Collegeville, PA American Trading International, INC. – Los Angeles, CA Durbin USA – Ocean Springs, MS Heavy Equipment Resources of Florida, Inc. (HERO FL) – Jacksonville, FL Gamber-Johnson, LLC – Stevens Point, WI Hydro-Thermal Corporation – Waukesha, WI  Kuder, Inc. – Adel, IA Orgill, Inc. – Collierville, TN “E” Star Award for Export Service Specialty Equipment Market Association (SMEA) – Diamond Bar, CA American companies are nominated for “E” Awards through the U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service office network, located within the U.S. 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 the overall winners. For more information about the “E” Awards and the benefits of exporting, visit www.export.gov.