U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker today presented SASCO Chemical Group with the President’s “E” Award for Exports at a ceremony in Washington, D.C. 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.

“Exporting continues to be the foundation of our sales growth, and we are honored to receive the “E” Award,” said Marc Skalla, President. “As we approach each new export market, we are reminded that the United States continues to have an advantage with highly technical and highly engineered standard-setting products.  This innovation gap enables us to sustain jobs and even expand our work force.”

“The President’s “E” Award winners 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. Congratulations to SASCO Chemical Group for its export achievement, which helps the local community, Georgia and the nation remain competitive in the global marketplace.”, said Secretary Pritzker in her congratulatory letter to the company announcing its selection as an award recipient. 

SASCO Chemical Group, located in Albany, GA, with a Research & Development Center in Macon, GA, is a leading international manufacturer of chemicals for the rubber, engineered wood, sanitation and biomedical industries.

U.S. exports of goods and services hit an all-time record of $2.3 trillion in 2013. Nationally, jobs supported by exports reached more than 11 million last year, up 1.6 million since 2009. Launched earlier this month, NEI/Next, a new phase of President Obama’s National Export Initiative, works to boost economic growth and support additional American jobs by assisting more U.S. companies of all sizes in exporting to more markets across the globe.

President Kennedy revived the World War II “E” symbol of excellence to honor and provide recognition to America's exporters. The “E” Award Program was established by Executive Order 10978 on December 5, 1961. Four 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 making the award.

U.S. companies are nominated for the “E” Award for Exports 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.  

A total of 66 U.S. companies were presented with the President’s “E” Award this year.