Henderson County Company Receives President’s “E” Award for Exports
in Washington DC Ceremony
The photograph shows from left: US Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross, Equilibar export manager Julie Detmering, Equilibar president Jeff Jennings, and Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade Gilbert Kaplan.
May 23, 2019— Equilibar, an engineering and manufacturing company in Fletcher, NC, received the 2019 President’s “E” Award for Exports during a May 23 ceremony in Washington, DC. The President’s “E” Award is the highest recognition any US entity can receive for making a significant contribution to an increase in U.S. exports.
US Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross presented the award to Jeff Jennings, Equilibar president, and Julie Detmering, exports and customer service manager.
Equilibar was recognized for its deliberate commitment to export expansion, including international certifications and global networking. “The company's exports to 61 countries were particularly notable,” said Juanita Harthun, Senior International Trade Specialist with the US Department of Commerce. “Equilibar's achievements have undoubtedly contributed to national export expansion efforts that support the U.S. economy and create American jobs.”
Equilibar specializes in designing and manufacturing patented fluid control valves and back pressure regulators for research and industry. Founded in 2007, the company has 21 employees and also provides a steady stream of work to local machine shops and other partner businesses.
“Exports have played an integral role for Equilibar since it was a brand new start-up company operating out of my basement,” said Jennings. “We are committed to working with researchers around the world to advance technology. It’s exciting to play a role in green energy, clean water and other important global efforts.”
Equilibar fosters local STEM education by serving as a sponsor for the Henderson County Public Schools Robotics Team and supporting West Henderson Science Olympiad and other educational projects. The company is also involved with area environmental efforts including Friends of DuPont Forest.
In 1961, President Kennedy signed an executive order reviving the World War II “E” symbol of excellence to honor and recognize America’s exporters. In 2018, U.S. exports were the highest on record with U.S. services at $821.1 billion and U.S. exports of goods reaching $1.7 trillion, demonstrating how American private enterprise can not only survive, but thrive, in the international market.
American companies are nominated for “E” Awards through the U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service office network, located within the Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration. Record years of successive export growth and an applicant’s demonstration of an innovative international marketing plan are significant factors in selecting winners. In total, Secretary Ross honored 48 US companies with the President’s “E” Award for demonstrating a sustained increase in export sales.
For more information about Equilibar, visit www.equilibar.com
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