Bennettsville Manufacturer Receives U.S. Commerce Department’s Export Achievement Award

U.S. Congressman John Spratt (D-SC) recently presented the U.S. Commerce Department’s Export Achievement Award to International Cup/Soller Company in Bennettsville for their accomplishments in exporting to Mexico. The award recognizes U.S. companies that have benefited from the Department’s Commercial Service export assistance to make their first export sale or open new foreign markets. Pictured in the photo on the right: Donal Kennedy, International Sales Manager; Congressman John Spratt; John Watkins, International Cup Founder/CEO Jerry Cross; Vice President; and Phil Minard, Manager, U.S. Export Assistance Center in Charleston.

“Small and medium-sized companies like these comprise almost 97 percent of U.S. exporters and account for most of the new job growth in America,” said the Congressman.

The rural company manufactures vending-machine cups and the Soller Division produces microwaveable popcorn in various forms of packaging. Congressman Spratt was warmly welcomed at the plant and given a tour of the operations which employs approximately 100 people. Company founder and President, Jim Watkins, received the award along with Jerry Cross, Vice President, and Donal Kennedy, Soller International Sales. Soller’s POPZ Brand of microwaveable popcorn is sold in numerous foreign markets and is one of the leading brands in Europe and Asia. Recently, with the help of the US Export Assistance Center in Charleston and the USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service, they have opened new distribution channels in Mexico.

Congressman Spratt gave remarks underlining the importance of exports in our national balance of trade and in the creation of good paying jobs, especially in our rural communities.

The U.S. Commercial Service is a U.S. Commerce Department agency that helps small and midsize U.S. businesses sell their products and services globally. The Charleston U.S. Export Assistance Center is part of the agency’s worldwide network, which includes 108 U.S. Export Assistance Centers throughout the United States and more than 150 international offices.