LaMotte Receives Presidential Award for Export Success

U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker recently presented LaMotte Company’s Richard Rogers with the President’s “E” Award for Exports at a ceremony in Washington, D.C. The President’s “E” Award is the highest recognition any U.S. entity can receive for making a significant contribution to the expansion of U.S. exports. The Chestertown firm was the only one from the state of Maryland honored this year.

“LaMotte’s achievements have undoubtedly contributed to national export expansion efforts that support the U.S. economy and create American jobs,” wrote Secretary Pritzker in her congratulatory letter to the company announcing its selection as an award recipient.

“Exporting continues to be a foundation for sales growth, and we are honored to receive the 'E' Award,” says Richard Rogers, LaMotte's director of international sales. “We have doubled our export sales in only five years! Now, export sales account for 17 percent of our total sales and sales of seasonal products to regions below the equator have also contributed greatly to sustaining year-around jobs here at LaMotte.”

In 1961, President Kennedy signed an executive order reviving the World War II 'E' symbol of excellence to honor and provide recognition to America's exporters. This year 123 U.S. companies received the honor for their outstanding work to reduce barriers to foreign markets and 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. 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. 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 the winners.

For more information about the “E” Awards and the benefits of exporting, visit www.export.gov.