We are honored to be a recipient of President Obama’s “E” Award, the highest recognition any U.S. entity can receive for making a significant contribution to the expansion of U.S. exports. It was bestowed on Des-Case by U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker in special ceremonies at the U.S. Department of Commerce in Washington, DC.
“I’m proud to receive this honor on behalf of our employees who work hard every day to develop, manufacture and distribute innovative products, deliver exceptional customer service and build strong partnerships around the world,” said Brian Gleason, CEO of Des-Case. “Our growth from a small manufacturer with modest U.S. sales to a global leader in the contamination control product industry―with 35 percent of its sales today in international countries―has been possible through their dedicated work, as well as the support of the U.S. Department of Commerce’s trade promotion division. The U.S. Commercial Service has not only helped us sell more products world-wide, but, more importantly, create good jobs for American workers at home. We’re grateful for their help and this recognition of our efforts.”
In 1961, President John F. Kennedy signed an executive order reviving the World War II “E” symbol of excellence to honor and provide recognition to America’s exporters. Today’s ceremony honored 123 U.S. companies with the President’s “E” Award for their outstanding work to reduce barriers to foreign markets and to open the door to more trade around the world.
In 2015, U.S. exports totaled $2.23 trillion, accounting for nearly 13 percent of U.S. Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Nationally, exports contributed to the U.S. economy, supporting an estimated 11.5 million jobs.
U.S. companies are nominated for the “E” Awards through the Department of Commerce’s U.S. Commercial Service office network, located within the Department’s International Trade Administration, with offices in 108 U.S. cities and more than 70 countries. Record years of successive export growth and an applicant’s demonstration of an innovative international marketing plan that led to the increase in exports is a significant factor in selecting winners.
Today, we export to countries around the world, including Belize, Brazil, Columbia, Costa Rica, Chile, Ecuador, El Salvador, Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Jamaica, Mexico, Honduras, Panama, Peru, Trinidad & Tobago and, more recently, Australia and the Philippines.
Additionally, we have seen growth in Europe, China, Canada and other countries through strategic distribution partners and original equipment manufacturers.
