U.S. Acting Secretary of Commerce Rebecca Blank today honored 57 U.S. companies and organizations, including M.E Dey & Co. Inc. of Milwaukee and Hurd Windows and Doors of Medford, that export goods or services at the 2013 President’s “E” Awards ceremony.
This year marks the 51st anniversary of the “E” Awards, which recognize significant contributions to increasing American exports.
M.E. Dey was among companies receiving the “E” Award for Export Service. Hurd received the “E” Award for Exports.
“E” Award recipients contribute to President Barack Obama’s National Export Initiative (NEI), which aims to double U.S. exports by the end of 2014 in order to support American jobs. Since the launch of the NEI in January 2010, the Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration, through its U.S. Commercial Service, has assisted more than 16,000 U.S. companies record an export success, supporting more than $164 billion in U.S. exports.
The President’s “E” Award was created by President John F. Kennedy in 1961, and more than 2,500 firms have been recognized through the “E” Awards since the program’s inception.
“These companies truly represent the spirit of American business and entrepreneurship – bringing some of the best and most innovative products and services to the global marketplace with the sought after ‘Made in the USA’ label,” Blank said. “Exports continue to be the engine of our economy, supporting nearly 10 million good, high-wage jobs in cities and communities across the country. Furthermore, the success of these exporters reflects historic progress in U.S. export growth. In 2012, U.S. exports hit an all-time high of $2.2 trillion, with record levels of sales to more than 70 trading partners, including major emerging markets and 11 free trade agreement (FTA) partners.”
