ILC Dover Receives Presidential E Award for Exports
Frederica, DE —Â ILC Dover, the designer and manufacturer of NASA’s space suits and a wide range of engineered film and fabric products, announced today that U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker has presented it 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.
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. A total of 66 U.S. companies were presented with the President’s “E” Award this year.
“Increasing exports of ILC Dover products and solutions is a key part of our growth strategy and we are honored to receive this “E” Award,” said Fran DiNuzzo, president of ILC Dover. “We are also grateful to the assistance we received from the U.S. Commercial Service’s Philadelphia Export Assistance Center, which helped us navigate the technical process of exporting to the European Union.” The Philadelphia USEAC and overseas posts have also aided ILC Dover through various trade counseling sessions which have subsequently helped the company successfully expand its business to its target markets in Europe.Â
Senator Tom Carper (D-Del.) commended ILC Dover and General Separation Technologies, Inc. – another Delaware-based company which received the prestigious award. “I’m very proud that two First State businesses are being recognized for playing a role in helping our economy thrive,” said Sen. Carper. “I have long pushed for opening and expanding markets for U.S. exports to allow businesses to grow, and ILC Dover and GS-Tek are two great examples of what happens when you create a nurturing environment for entrepreneurs to succeed. Congratulations to both companies on this well-earned award.”
ILC Dover is a world leader in the innovative design and production of engineered products employing high-performance flexible materials. Since 1947, ILC Dover has provided engineered solutions to complex customer problems. Known for the production of space suits for NASA, ILC Dover leverages its vast materials, engineering and design experience to create high performance Powder Handling Systems for pharmaceutical and life sciences customers, Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) and Lighter than Air systems for commercial and government customers.
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.
