La. firms earn Prez export awards

La. firms earn Prez export awards WASHINGTON – Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross honored 48 companies and organizations for their contributions to American export growth during the 2019 President’s “E” Awards ceremony. Winners hail from 25 states, including two from Louisiana. “President Donald J. Trump has placed a high priority on restoring the balance of global trade to ensure American businesses and workers are not left behind,” said Ross. “With companies like these awardees who have placed a premium on export success, we can reclaim the lost years of ever-expanding trade deficits.” President’s “E” Award was created in 1961 and is the highest recognition a U.S. entity can receive for making a significant contribution to the expansion of U.S. exports. In 2018 alone, the U.S. exported $2.5T worth of goods and services – the highest on record. Twenty-six companies were honored with the “E” Award for Exports for demonstrating a sustained increase in export sales over a four-year period. Among the awardees is Smitty's Supply of Roseland, La., for assisting and facilitating export activities; and SPF Depot of Bossier City, La., which recognizes previous “E” recipients that have shown four years of continued support of exporters since first winning the “E” Award. American companies are nominated for “E” Awards through the U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service office network. (Source: Commerce Dept. 05/23/19) Smitty’s distributes bulk and packaged oils, chemicals and related products worldwide, and has other facilities in Hammond, La., and Vicksburg, Miss. SPF Depot recently expanded to Europe and is providing long-lasting and superior quality spray gun replacement parts for the GX7, GAMA and GAP guns. The products meet all European standards and are currently available in Ireland and Poland, but they will soon be available in Germany and Russia. In addition to supplying products, SPF Depot provides technical support for European customers.