Rust-Oleum receives U.S. export award.

Following four successive years of growth in the volume of its exports, Rust-Oleum Corporation was recently awarded the Presidential "E" Award for Exports. The award, which was granted by U.S. Department of Commerce Secretary John Bryson, is the highest recognition any U.S. entity may receive for making a significant contribution to the expansion of U.S. exports.

Rust-Oleum is a business client of the Commerce Department's U.S. Commercial Service. This relationship has allowed the company to receive export counseling, market research, and business match-making which have helped to expand its export sales.

U.S. companies are nominated for the "E" awards through the U.S. Commercial Service office, which helps domestic companies export their goods. The awards are given to applicants who demonstrate a significant contribution to U.S. export expansion that is measurable, innovative, sustainable, and has broad impact. The nominations are reviewed by a committee which is chaired by the Department of Commerce and includes representatives from ExIm Bank, the Small Business Administration, and the Departments of Agriculture, Labor, State, and Transportation.

This year's presentation marks the 50th anniversary of the award. Rust-Oleum received the first "E" Award from President John F. Kennedy in 1963. The award was created by executive order in 1961 to encourage U.S. companies to sell their products abroad.