04 Nov LR International, Inc. Awarded Presidential “E” Award
“Along with providing Global Logistics, promoting Export though public and private training continues to be a very important part of our day to day operations. We are honored to receive the “E” Award for Service,” said Ric & Linda Frantz, C.E.O, C.F.O and founders of LRI. “We opened the doors in 1988 with one office in Chicago, and now have grown to having Representative Offices throughout the U.S. and in 102 countries. Whether it’s controlling off shore inventory, moving Railroad Locomotives to help build the infrastructure in Central Asia, or distributing food processing chemicals to help feed the World, LRI continues to offer assistance to U.S. companies to help them grow their export markets.
“I am pleased to recognize LR INTERNATIONAL, INC. for receiving the President’s “E” Award for Service which honors companies that make significant contributions toward increasing U.S. exports,” said U.S. Commerce Secretary John Bryson. “This Administration is committed to leveling the playing field for American businesses and workers to help U.S. companies build things here and sell them around the world. “E” Awards winners like LR INTERNATIONAL, INC. have excelled in this effort, demonstrating four years of successive export growth. It is companies like this that are helping to grow our economy and put more Americans back to work.”
A business partner of the Department’s U.S. Commercial Service, LRI has provided export counseling, to greatly help expand U.S. export sales.
U.S. companies are nominated for the “E” Award through the U.S. Commercial Service’s office network in 108 U.S. cities and more than 75 countries which help U.S. companies export. The primary criterion for the “E” Award is four years of successive export growth, or of supporting the export growth of others. “E” Awards are awarded to applicants that can demonstrate a significant contribution to U.S. export expansion that is measurable, innovative, sustainable, and has broad impact.
All nominations are reviewed by the “E” Award Committee, which is chaired by the Department of Commerce, and includes representatives of ExIm Bank, the Small Business Administration, and the Departments of Agriculture, Labor, State, and Transportation.
This year marks the 50th anniversary of the first presentation of the President’s “E” Award by President John F. Kennedy. The President’s “E” Award was created by Executive Order in 1961 to encourage U.S. companies to sell their products abroad. A second award, the President’s “E Star” Award, was authorized by the Secretary of Commerce in 1969 to recognize “E” Award recipients for their continuing significant contributions to U.S. export expansion.
A total of 41 U.S. companies and organizations were presented with the “E” Award at the May 17, 2012 World Trade Week ceremonies in Washington DC.