Polyguard Products Inc. received the President “E” Award last May, given by the United States Secretary of Commerce in Washington, DC. Nate Muncaster, Global Business Development director, and Shawn Eastham, vice-president of Corrosion Products Group, accepted the award.

“I always felt Polyguard had a very good shot at winning,” says Muncaster, “but it was never certain, as the competitiveness every year is so intense.”

Eastham says the award is a great accomplishment for the company, and that it would have not been possible without dedication. “I’m excited about our international growth opportunities for the next 10 years and beyond,” Eastham says. “Our international division is a big part of our company’s
future plans.”

“The award represents a successful accolade for five and a half years of single minded focus and dedication, jet lag, disturbed sleep patterns, and heightened coffee consumption,” says Muncaster, “but it was a labour of love.”

The Presidential Award for Exports was created by President John F. Kennedy in 1961 to recognize persons, firms, or organizations that contribute significantly to the effort to increase US exports. Secretary of Commerce, Gary Locke, stated that Polyguard’s achievement in enhancing export growth helps strengthen the economy and creates American jobs.

“I want to congratulate you on your achievement, and for supporting critical export-related jobs for American workers,” Locke says. In keeping up with President Kennedy’s initiative, “President Obama’s [current] initiative was designed with one overriding goal: to get people back to work in jobs that provide security, dignity, and a sense of hope for the future. It’s businesses like [Polyguard’s] with a proven record of success that are going to help us meet or exceed that goal.”