Cicero–based Air Innovations is among 48 companies that the U.S. Department of Commerce recognized with a 2019 Presidential Award for Export Achievement during a May 23 ceremony in Washington, D.C. Pictured (from left to right) are U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross; Mike Wetzel, president and CEO of Air Innovations; Lisa Wetzel, wife of Mike Wetzel; and Gilbert Kaplan, undersecretary of commerce for international trade in the U.S. Department of Commerce. (Photo provided by U.S. Commercial Service, which is part of the U.S. Department of Commerce)
CICERO, N.Y. — The federal government has honored Air Innovations of Cicero with a 2019 Presidential Award for Export Achievement, also known as the President’s “E” Award for Exports.
Air Innovations is among the 48 companies that U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross recognized during a May 23 ceremony in Washington, D.C.
The President’s “E” Award was created in 1961 by an executive order and is the “highest recognition a U.S. entity can receive for making a significant contribution to the expansion of U.S. exports,” the U.S. Commercial Service, which is part of the U.S. Department of Commerce, said in a news release.
“Air Innovations has demonstrated a sustained commitment to export expansion. The ‘E’ Awards committee was very impressed with Air Innovations’ measurable year-over-year growth in exports. The company’s sales into 48 countries were also particularly notable. Air Innovations’ achievements have undoubtedly contributed to national export expansion efforts that support the U.S. economy and create American jobs,” Ross said in his congratulatory letter to the company announcing its selection as an award recipient.
Air Innovations included the quote from Ross in a separate news release about the export award.
Air Innovations is a manufacturer of specialty HVAC units for use in a variety of commercial applications in industries from aerospace and semiconductors to pharmaceuticals, hospitals, and wine cellars. These units are designed to meet a variety of specifications that typical commercial HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) units cannot maintain.
“Export products are an essential part of our growth as a company,” Mike Wetzel, president and CEO of Air Innovations, said in the company’s release. “Our long-term strategy is dependent on consistent expansion of our export market. We are grateful to receive this recognition of our commitment to export products made in the United States.”
This year’s award recipients are based in 25 states. Of this year’s 48 honorees, 41 are small and medium-sized businesses, while 26 firms are manufacturers, per the Commerce Department.
Contact Reinhardt at ereinhardt@cnybj.com
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