Two Delaware Companies Honored with Presidential "E" Awards

WASHINGTON, June 4, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker honored 65 U.S. companies and organizations during the President's "E" Awards ceremony in Washington, D.C, on May 28^th. This year marks the 52nd anniversary of the "E" Awards, the highest recognition any U.S. entity can receive for increasing American exports.

"Congratulations to the "E" award recipients – these are fantastic American businesses and organizations that have played a crucial role in strengthening and growing our economy through increased U.S. exports," said Secretary Pritzker. "By selling Made-in-America goods and services internationally, U.S. business can grow faster, hire more employees, pay higher wages, and help spread American ideas, innovation and values. Last year, exports supported 11.3 million jobs, with U.S. goods and services exports reaching a record $2.3 trillion."

The "E" Awards align with the next phase of the President's National Export Initiative – NEI/NEXT, which aims to help American businesses reach more overseas markets to support more jobs.

President John F. Kennedy created the "E" Awards for companies demonstrating a sustained increase in export sales. Delaware-based ILC Dover LP of Frederica and General Separation Technologies Inc. (GS-Tek) of Newark, were the first recipients from the state since 1992.

• With the help of the U.S. Commercial Service, ILC Dover yielded $100,000 in export sales to Denmark, Sweden, Iceland, and Italy. "ILC Dover believes [the U.S. Commercial Service's efforts] have allowed the company to expand its business beyond its normal reach," says Director of Sales Paul Guglielmi. Future expansion to Canada and Mexico will increase their global competitiveness.
• GS-Tek achieved $150,000 in sales after attending Commercial Service-sponsored trade shows and meetings in Germany, Mexico, and China. "Without the assistance of the Commercial Service, we would not be where we are today internationally," said GS-Tek President Zhenghua Ji. "Exporting is a growing percentage of our total sales, and we expect this trend to continue as we open new doors to world markets."

"Area exporters benefit from our international market entry services and our collaboration with state and local partners," said Tony Ceballos, U.S. CS Director in Philadelphia, which also serves Delaware. "These efforts are providing businesses with the tools to pursue opportunities overseas."

The U.S. Commercial Service in Philadelphia is part of a global network of offices in 108 U.S. cities and more than 70 countries. For export assistance: www.export.gov/Pennsylvania.

SOURCE U.S. Commercial Service