Acting Secretary of Commerce Rebecca Blank presented BDG International, Inc. with the President’s “E” Award for Export Service at a ceremony in Washington, D.C. on May 20, 2013. The “E” Awards are the highest recognition any U.S. entity may receive for making a significant contribution to the expansion of U.S. exports.
President’s “E” Award for U.S. Exporters
“We are honored to have received the President’s “E” Award for contributing to the growth of U.S. exports and outstanding international trade consulting services. The award reflects our team’s 30 year commitment to bring our clients a reliable and cost efficient international supply chain.” says Bengt Reed Anderson, President of BDG International, Inc. The world is seeking U.S. products due to our innovation, quality and competitive pricing. Our business is to assist these companies in achieving their international goals.
“I am delighted to be recognizing this year’s Presidential ‘E’ Award winners for their outstanding contributions to U.S. exports and congratulate BDG International, Inc. on its outstanding export achievement,” said Acting Secretary Blank. “It is businesses like BDG International, Inc. that are strengthening the economies of local communities, creating jobs, and contributing to the worldwide demand for ‘Made in the USA’ goods and services.
BDG International, Inc. located in Elgin, IL, is one of the leading providers of a complete range of export services including reliable global logistics, international trade consulting, community education, freight forwarding, and custom brokerage for businesses in the U.S.
U.S. companies are nominated for the “E” Award for Export Service through the Department of Commerce’s U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service office network, located within the Department’s International Trade Administration, which has offices in 108 U.S. cities and more than 70 countries to help U.S. exporters. Criteria for the award is based on four years of successive export growth and case studies which demonstrate valuable support to exporters resulting in increased exports for the company’s clients.
U.S. exports hit an all-time record of $2.2 trillion in 2012, and supported nearly 10 million American jobs. President Obama’s National Export Initiative, which aims to double U.S. exports by the end of 2014 and support an additional 2 million jobs in the United States, is opening new avenues for U.S. exporters through enhanced export assistance and a strengthened trade agenda that is targeting emerging markets and industry sectors across the globe.
History of the “E” Awards
During World War II, more than 4,000 “E Pennants” were presented to war plants in recognition of production excellence. The famous flag with the big “E” emblazoned on it became a badge of patriotism in action.
President Kennedy revived the World War II “E” symbol of excellence to honor and provide recognition to America’s exporters. Thus, the “E” Award Program was established by Executive Order 10978 on December 5, 1961. The “E Star” was authorized in l969 to recognize “E” Award winners for continued efforts in export expansion.
Winners of the “E” and “E Star” Award are authorized to fly the blue and white banner, to display the accompanying certificate of commendation which is signed by the Secretary of Commerce in the name and by the authority of the President, to wear and issue to employees an “E” lapel pin, and to refer to the award in their advertising.