Press Release

Presidential Award Recognizes American Export Excellence

Exports are a Critical Engine of Growth for the U.S. Economy

WASHINGTON—President George W. Bush and Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez today at the White House recognized 19 American organizations with ‘E’ and ‘E-Star’ Awards for their outstanding commitment to strengthening America’s global competitiveness. These organizations have helped with the creation of jobs and opportunities for American workers and families by expanding their export success.

“These award recipients are helping to keep America competitive in the global marketplace. I commend them for contributing to last year’s record in goods and services. Thanks to these companies and the thousands of others that compete in the global market, U.S. exports last year rose 12.6 percent over the previous year to more than $1.6 trillion making an important contribution to U.S. economic growth,” said Gutierrez.

“In order to maintain our global competitiveness, American companies need expanded access to foreign markets. With over 90 percent of the world’s consumers living outside the United States, it is vital that we create new export opportunities for American manufacturers, service workers, and farmers. Congress should approve the pending free trade agreements (FTAs) with Colombia, South Korea, and Panama without further delay. FTAs solidify our relationships with key allies and level the trade playing field by lowering export barriers to products made by Americans. Congressional approval of these FTAs this year is necessary given our dependency on U.S. exports to provide a critical spark to the American economy.”

The Presidential ‘E’ Award was created by President John F. Kennedy in 1961, to recognize persons, firms, or organizations which contribute significantly to increase United States exports. The Presidential ‘E Star’ Awards are awarded for continued superior performance in increasing or promoting exports. Only previous recipients of the ‘E’ Award are eligible. The period of consideration covers the most recent three years of export operation; it does not overlap any portion of the period covered by the ‘E’ Award; and the level of performance must exceed that for which the ‘E’ Award was given.

Award Recipients
Aquathin Corporation, Pompano Beach, Fla. * - AQUATHIN® CORP. was founded in March of 1980 and formulated from a single concept to produce the most effective water purification system available. The company’s export sales increased from $1.5 million in 2003 to $2.4 million in 2005.

• Automation Alley, Troy, Mich. - Automation Alley is a technology business association driving the growth and image of Southeast Michigan’s economy through a collaborative culture that focuses on workforce and business development initiatives. Since 2004, Automation Alley trade missions have generated more than $126 million in new business and economic development for company participants and the Southeast Michigan region as a whole.
• Dredging Supply Company Inc., Reserve, La. - Dredging Supply Company, Inc. (DSC) is a world-class dredge manufacturing business located in Reserve, Louisiana USA. The company’s export sales soared from $1.7 million in 2003 to $4.2 million in 2006, an increase of 147 percent. In 2006, Dredging’s export market accounted for nearly 42 percent of total orders.
• Environmental Dynamics Inc., Columbia, Mo. * - Environmental Dynamics, Inc. manufactures environmental and pollution control products. The company’s export sales increased from $5 million in 2004 to $12 million in 2007.
• Fed Ex Corporation, Memphis, Tenn. - FedEx Corporation is a global transportation and business solutions provider offering customers connectivity to over 220 countries and territories. Among the company's many efforts to drive US exports, FedEx operates an initiative with the US Commercial Service aimed at boosting exports from US businesses. In addition, the company’s China Advantage Program has significantly increased U.S. exports to China .
• Health Enterprises Inc., North Attleboro, Mass. - Health Enterprises is a manufacturer and distributor of healthcare products. The company’s exports have increased significantly, from $547,000 in 2003 to $863,000 in 2006.
• Home Instead Senior Care, Omaha, Neb. - Home Instead Senior Care® is the world’s largest provider of non-medical home care and companionship services for seniors. The company’s export sales increased from $6 thousand in 2003 to $398 thousand in 2006.
• It Straps On Inc., Covington, La. - It Straps On, Inc. is a prime manufacturer of stainless steel banding, buckles, wing seals, and sign brackets. ISO now exports to 21 countries and exporting is almost 28 percent of its total sales. Export sales increased from $67 thousand in 2004 to $860 thousand in 2007, an increase of 92 percent.
• Johnsonville Sausage, Sheboygan Falls, Wis. - Johnsonville Sausage is the number one national brand of brats, Italian sausage, smoked-cooked links and fresh breakfast sausage links. Export sales increased from 18 million in 2004 to 30 million in 2007.
• Massachusetts Export Center, Boston, Mass. - The Massachusetts Export Center provides targeted, high-impact counseling, technical assistance, training, market research, and international business development assistance for small business exporters in Massachusetts. Client export sales have increased dramatically since 2003, from $22.5 million to $162 million in 2006, an impact that translates to 2,600 new/retained jobs in Massachusetts. With just 6.5 employees, the Center is able to provide assistance to over 1,000 companies per year.
• Neutrex Inc., Houston, Texas - Neutrex, Inc., is a manufacturer of plastic molding machinery purging compounds. Export sales increased from $116,000 in 2004 to $388,000 in 2007 and percentage of export sales to total sales increased from 5.5 percent to 12.6 percent over the same period.
• NOW International, Bloomingdale, Ill. - NOW International, the export arm of NOW Foods is a manufacturer of vitamins and supplements. NOW International has grown at an average annual rate of 19.9 percent, far outpacing total company growth of 9.6 percent. Export sales increased from $7.5 million in 2003 to $14.9 million in 2006.
• Port of Houston Authority, Houston, Texas * - The Port of Houston Authority is a public port authority known for its economic contribution to the State of Texas. The Port has created 362 export related jobs and export tonnage has increased from $39.8 million in 2004 to $52.8 million in 2007.
• Seattle University, Albers School of Business & Economics Global Business Edge Program, Seattle, Wash. - Albers School of Business and Economics is committed to providing an integrated business education for ethical and socially responsible leadership.
• Separation Systems, Gulf Breeze, Fla. - Separation Systems, Inc. manufactures custom-made gas chromatography equipment for the energy generation markets. Export sales increased from $1.6 million in 2004 to $3.1 million in 2007.
• Treatment Products LTD., Chicago, Ill. - Treatment Products Ltd. is a manufacturer of a wide array of cleaners, waxes, and polishes for the automotive appearance industry. The company has created 19 export related jobs and export sales increased from 1.3 million in 2004 to 3.3 million in 2007.
• Virginia Economic Development Partnership Division of International Trade, Richmond, Va. * - VEDP’s International Trade Division assists Virginia companies through its export development programs. State numbers have increased from $11.6 billion in 2004 to $16.9 billion in 2007, as have the number of exports for individual companies participating in the VEDP’s many programs.
• Vitamec USA Inc., Van Nuys, Calif. – Vitamec USA Inc. manufactures a variety of dietary supplements. Export sales increased from 4 million in 2003 to 5.2 million in 2007.
• Voss Industries Inc., Cleveland, Ohio - Founded in 1957, Voss Industries Inc. is a major supplier of a wide variety of high quality specialty clamping. Export sales increased from $1.5 million in 2002 to $4.1million in 2005. **

NOTE: ‘E-Star’ Award winners noted by *

Background
With offices across the United States and in more than 75 countries, the U.S. Commercial Service of the U.S. Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration uses its global network and international resources to connect U.S. companies with international buyers worldwide. For more information on the U.S. Commercial Service, please visit www.export.gov.

**This release has been corrected from an earlier version.