U.S. Commerce Secretary Awards Idaho Company

U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker presented Hamilton Manufacturing Inc. (HMI) with the President’s “E” Award for Exports at a ceremony in Washington, DC. The President’s “E” Award is the highest recognition any U.S. entity can receive for making a contribution to the expansion of U.S. exports. Accepting the award for HMI was CEO Christy Hamilton, President Tom Eames and Vice-President Matt Smith.

“HMI has demonstrated a sustained commitment to export expansion. The “E” Awards Committee was very impressed with HMI’s development of new products for export markets. The company’s participation in international trade missions and trade shows was also particularly notable. HMI’s achievements have undoubtedly contributed to national export expansion efforts that support the U.S. economy and create American jobs,” Secretary Pritzker said in her congratulatory letter to the company announcing its selection as an award recipient.

HMI is a fourth generation family-owned and -operated manufacturing facility that was established in 1962. It was one of the first cellulose insulation manufacturing facilities in the U.S. During the last several decades, the advantages of using the cellulose insulation and hydro mulch products have increased and HMI has formulated and manufactured recycled cellulose construction supplies since. With background in erosion control and green building, HIM provides service to projects in more than 15 U.S. states and 30 countries world-wide.

“Exporting continues to be the foundation of our sales growth, and we are honored to receive the “E” Award,” Hamilton said. “When we first began exporting in 1997, we only exported two products. During the past 19 years, export sales have grown substantially, enabling us to sustain jobs and even expand our work force. We now export multiple products.”

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. Pritzker honored 123 U.S. companies with the President’s “E” Award for 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% 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, 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 are significant factors in selecting the winners.

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