The French Oil Mill Machinery Company was awarded the Presidential “E” Star Award for Exports by U.S. Department of Commerce Secretary John Bryson at the White House in Washington, DC in May 2012. 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 a critical element of our sales growth, and we are honored to receive the “E” Star Award,” said Daniel P. French, French’s Chairman and President. “Our company first began exporting equipment in 1905 to Canada and Europe and soon after to China. Over our company’s 112-year history we have exported equipment to every continent other than Antarctica and supported customers in over 80 countries.” French added, “The dedication of our Piqua employees has contributed largely to our success and international growth. Over the past three years, export sales grew to 65 percent of our total sales, enabling us to hire over 35 additional employees in our Piqua headquarters and manufacturing facility.
French, located in Piqua, Ohio, is an ISO-certified, 3rd generation family-owned U. S. company that custom designs, manufactures and supports hydraulic presses for molding rubber and composite materials, screw presses for synthetic rubber processing and the separation of liquids from solids, and oilseed equipment used to extract vegetable oil from seeds and nuts, and to produce “green” biofuels.
“I am pleased to recognize the French Oil Mill Machinery Company for receiving the President’s “E” Star Award, 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” Star Awards winners like French have excelled in this effort, demonstrating three years of successive export growth. It is companies like this that are helping to grow our economy and put more Americans back to work.”
U.S. companies are nominated for the “E” Awards through the U.S. Commercial Service office network, which helps U.S. companies export. The primary criterion for the “E” Star Award is three years of successive export growth. “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.”
This year marks the 50th anniversary of the first presentation of the President’s “E” Award by President John F. Kennedy, who created the Award 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.
French was awarded their first President’s “E” Award in 1984. 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.