2018 Illinois Governor’s Export Award recipients announced

Lt. Governor Evelyn Sanguinetti and the Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity (DCEO) announced the recipients of the 2018 Governor’s Export Awards during a ceremony at the Union League Club of Chicago on May 24th. The Governor’s Export Awards are Illinois’ highest recognition of export achievement, honoring Illinois companies that have achieved excellence in exporting, as well as organizations that provide export assistance.

“Exports are a vital component of our economy and an important factor for continued economic growth. Illinois takes great pride in its export successes, which is why every year we recognize small and medium-sized businesses and organizations that work to promote export awareness for Illinois’ products and services,” said Lt. Governor Evelyn Sanguinetti.

“Although Illinois is the largest exporting state in the Midwest and the fifth largest in the nation, we have much room to grow. Exporting is another way companies can succeed and grow their businesses here at home.”

Philo, Illinois, USA. Watertower and post offi... — Philo, Illinois, USA. Watertower and post office. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Illinois’ export industry helps create high paying jobs here at home and contributes millions to the state’s economy. The State of Illinois is the number one exporting state in the Midwest and fifth in the United States. Last year alone, $65 billion worth of Illinois manufactured products were sold all around the world. Illinois’ exporting growth outpaced the national average by nearly 31 percent.

The 15 Illinois companies below were recognized under the following categories:

New Exporter

Chicago Comb Co.

EP Purification

Agricultural Service Exporter

Machinery Management Service, Inc

Export Awareness and Development

SBDC ITC at Champaign County

Export Continuing Excellence

Automated Design Corporation

Aqua-Aerobics Systems, Inc.

Frigid Fluid Company

Middleby Marshall, Inc.

Vogel Tool & Die

Exporter of the Year

AIM Inc.

Denbur, Inc.

Engis Corporation

MacNeil Automotive Products Limited

Newmedical Technology, Inc.

Wahl Clipper Corporation

DCEO’s Office of Trade and Investment, through a network of 7 regional foreign offices and staff in both Chicago and Springfield, provides technical support to Illinois companies ready to enter or expand into foreign markets. With financial assistance through the Illinois State Trade and Export Promotion (ISTEP) program, companies can participate in state coordinated trade missions, individual foreign market sales missions, achieve product compliance receive website localization assistance, and attend export training courses.

For more information on Illinois trade opportunities, visit exports.illinois.gov

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Ray Hanania is an award-winning opinion columnist, author & former Chicago City Hall reporter (1977-1992). A veteran who served during the Vietnam War and the recipient of four SPJ Peter Lisagor Awards for column writing, Hanania writes weekly opinion columns on mainstream American & Chicagoland topics for the Southwest News-Herald, Des Plaines Valley News, the Regional News, The Reporter Newspapers, and Suburban Chicagoland.

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