Two Philadelphia-area 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 2014 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 significant contributions to 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 in announcing the awards. "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 President Obama's National Export Initiative (NEI) – NEI/NEXT, which Secretary Pritzker announced last month. NEI/NEXT aims to continue NEI's achievements and help more American businesses reach overseas markets to support millions of jobs.

President John F. Kennedy created the "E" Award for Exports in 1961 to recognize persons, firms, and organizations demonstrating a sustained increase in export sales. Pennsylvania companies, Ancillare, LP, of Horsham; and Allied Wire & Cable of Philadelphia, were among this year's recipients:

• With assistance from the U.S. Commercial Service in Philadelphia, Ancillare increased exports by $8 million last year. "U.S. Department of Commerce offices and embassies provided the expert advice that we required to help grow our company; expand our exports; and guarantee success," says CEO Joanne Santomauro.
• The Commercial Service helped Allied Wire and Cable form new foreign partnerships, most recently in Canada and Turkey—resulting in significantly increased exports. President and CEO Tim Flynn credited the Commercial Service for "making the international trade process as streamlined and painless as possible."

"Area exporters continue to benefit from U.S. Commercial Service international market entry services and our collaboration with state and local trade partners," said Tony Ceballos, Director of the USCS in Philadelphia. "Under NEI we've expanded efforts to provide hundreds of more businesses with the necessary tools to navigate and pursue opportunities in the international marketplace."

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

SOURCE U.S. Commercial Service