ST LOUIS, May 17, 2024 – Sunnen Products Company was awarded the President’s “E Star” Award for Exports by the U.S. Department of Commerce, at Tuesday’s 63rd annual ceremony in Washington, DC. Sunnen was one of 64 companies at the ceremony being recognized for their excellence in furthering U.S. exports, and one of 13 entities to receive the prestigious “E Star” Award for Exports. This is Sunnen’s second time receiving the “E Star” award, having also received the honor in 1986.
The highest recognition available to a U.S. entity, the President’s “E” Award, recognizes companies who have made a significant contribution to the expansion of U.S. Exports. Sunnen first received the “E” Award in 1964. The “E Star” Award was later authorized by the Secretary of Commerce to recognize “E” Award winners’ continued noteworthy export promotion efforts.
“Sunnen has demonstrated a sustained commitment to export expansion. The “E” Awards Committee recognizes Sunnen’s eighty-year history as an exporter with forty percent growth in export revenue over the past four years. The company’s investment in ongoing technology and marketing innovations to support export growth into the future was also notable,” said Secretary of Commerce, Gina Raimondo, in her congratulatory letter to the company.
Sunnen is celebrating its 100th year in business this year and is no stranger to supporting the U.S. and its manufacturing efforts. Sunnen, in October of 1942, was a recipient of the predecessor to todays’ award, the Army-Navy Production Award (at the time, it was popularly known as the “E” Award for excellence) for its contribution and excellence in the production of war equipment during World War II. President John F. Kennedy, in 1961, signed an executive order to revive the World War II “E” symbol of excellence to honor and recognize America’s exporters.
Sunnen Products Company first began exporting into Canada and the Scandinavian countries. After World War II the company expanded exports all over Europe, and into South America and Asia. Founder, Joe Sunnen, was an exceptional businessperson who knew the importance of finding solutions to unmet market needs, which included making products available globally. Sunnen has since grown into a global powerhouse with 14 subsidiaries and over 35 international distributors around the world. One of the company’s founding principles that is still a guiding force today is “Better Products Make a Better World.”
Sunnen offers fully integrated solutions to manufacturers in a wide range of industries, including those making components for aerospace, defense, hydraulics, oil and gas, medical and other applications. Typical solutions include honing or drilling machines plus the necessary fixturing, tooling, abrasives, cutting inserts, precision gages, coolants and the application support for successful part production.
Honing is typically the last machining process in part production and is critical for a component to function optimally for its end application. For example, honing is critical for components in landing gear, engine blocks and even surgical equipment such as cranial cutters. The precision needed for optimal safety and performance is only possible with the precision surface finishing and bore geometry provided by honing.
Sunnen’s International Sales Director, Tom Dustman, attended the awards ceremony to accept the award, on behalf of Sunnen Products Company.
For more than a decade, Dustman, has been a champion of the company’s exporting efforts. He is currently active in, and a past Chair of the Missouri District Export Council. He has also been a Midwest Region Advisor for the National Association of District Export Councils (NADEC) and is co-chair of the Education and Outreach Committee for NADEC. Dustman was recently appointed to the Board of Governors of the National Association of Small Business International Trade Educators (N.A.S.B.I.T.E.). Lastly, he has been supportive in export growth programs at the University of Missouri, Mid America Trade Summit and with Southern Illinois University - Edwardsville where he organized a 3-day Export Now Program to assist small businesses in Southern Illinois with expanding exports. “Sunnen is honored to receive this prestigious award and carry on the company’s long-time commitment to International trade,” said Dustman.
Like the award in 1942, “E Star” Award winners are authorized to fly the award’s official blue and white banner and employees may wear an accompanying “E Star” lapel pin to commemorate this outstanding level of excellence.