Roll-a-Ramp, a manufacturer of lightweight, portable aluminum wheelchair ramps based in West Fargo, North Dakota, today was honored with the highest recognition any U.S. entity may receive for exporting when it received the “E” Award for Exports from U.S. Acting Secretary of Commerce Rebecca Blank at a ceremony in Washington, D.C. Jennifer Miller, Global Programs Manager for Roll-A-Ramp traveled to Washington D.C. to accept the award on behalf of the company.
Thomas E. Kenville, Roll-A-Ramp CEO, says “Roll-A-Ramp started with domestic sales only. International sales and exporting has provided an avenue for consecutive growth.”
President Kennedy revived the World War II “E” symbol of excellence to honor and provide recognition to America’s exporters. The “E” Award Program was established by Executive Order 10978 on December 5, 1961. A total of 57 U.S. companies were presented with the President’s “E” Award this year. Recent North Dakota winners include WCCO Belting of Wahpeton and Brandt Holdings of Fargo.
U.S. companies are nominated for the “E” Award for Exports through the Department of Commerce’s U.S. Commercial Service office network, which has offices in 108 U.S. cities and more than 70 countries to help U.S. exporters. U.S. Commercial Service / North Dakota Office Director Heather Ranck nominated Roll-a-Ramp.
“Roll-a-Ramp has grown from an initially cautious, unfocused exporter into a knowledgeable, pro-active leader in exporting in the region,” said Ranck. “Our Fargo office has worked with Roll-a-Ramp on over 100 unique export questions in over 40 markets since 2002, including numerous instances where we helped Roll-a-Ramp identify or vet potential distributors in their foreign markets. We congratulate Roll-a-Ramp on the deserved recognition for their efforts.”
US Senator Heidi Heitkamp Letter
For more information on the U.S. Commercial Service and assistance available to local exporters, please visit http://www.export.gov/northdakota
