WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Acting Secretary of Commerce Rebecca Blank today presented Hurd Windows & Doors with the President's "E" Award for Exports at a ceremony in Washington, D.C. The "E" Awards are the highest recognition any U.S. entity may receive for making a significant contribution to the expansion of U.S. exports.

According to Hurd President and CEO Dominic Truniger, Hurd's custom wood windows and doors and vinyl products are sold exclusively through more than 400 distributors in the United States and Canada, and in 30 countries worldwide. Truniger, along with Director of International Sales Scott Klieforth and Director of Marketing April Lucas were on hand to receive the award.

Klieforth said, "We are honored to be recognized for our export efforts, as Hurd has recently made significant advances in expanding our international market presence. We have made a concerted effort to diversify our global presence, and we are thrilled with the results."

The company has been selling its windows and doors internationally for more than 25 years. Hurd has an International Services Group, made up of specialists who work exclusively in the area of international sales and service support with internal language capabilities in Spanish, French, Chinese, Korean and Japanese. Hurd has eight sales representatives who live or travel abroad to grow Hurd's sales around the world. The company has recently seen significant growth in such international markets as Ireland, South Korea, and Africa.

Hurd has been widely recognized for its international sales growth in recent years including being named Wisconsin Manufacturer of the Year for its "buy local, sell global" approach to business; the "Exporter of the Year" award from ThinkGlobal Inc.; the Governor's Export Achievement Award from the state of Wisconsin; as well as being featured in a "Made in America" segment on ABC World News Tonight with Diane Sawyer. Additionally, Hurd recently partnered with the US Department of Commerce SABIT program to host 20 delegates from the former Soviet Union. The company shared global energy efficient practices and manufacturing processes with the delegation. On March 24 - April 2, a Hurd representative joined the U.S. Wisconsin Wood Product China Business Development Mission to China and traveled throughout the country.

"I am delighted to be recognizing this year's Presidential 'E' Award winners for their outstanding contributions to U.S. exports and congratulate Hurd Windows & Doors on its outstanding export achievement," said Acting Secretary Blank. "It is businesses like Hurd that are strengthening the economies of local communities, creating jobs, and contributing to the worldwide demand for 'Made in the USA' goods and services."

Medford, Wisconsin-based Hurd has a 90-year tradition of Made in America custom wood windows and doors that are built to the highest standards of excellence and quality. Hurd products are manufactured by approximately 400 craftsmen, and marketed throughout the world.

U.S. exports hit an all-time record of $2.2 trillion in 2012, and supported nearly 10 million American jobs. President Obama's National Export Initiative, which aims to double U.S. exports by the end of 2014 and support an additional 2 million jobs in the United States, is opening new avenues for U.S. exporters through enhanced export assistance and a strengthened trade agenda that is targeting emerging markets and industry sectors across the globe.

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.

U.S. companies are nominated for the "E" Award for Exports through the Department of Commerce's U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service office network, located within the Department's International Trade Administration, which has offices in 108 U.S. cities and more than 70 countries to help U.S. exporters. Four years of successive export growth and an applicant's demonstration of an innovative international marketing plan that led to the increase in exports is a significant factor in making the award.

ABOUT HURD WINDOWS & DOORS.

HWD Acquisition, Inc. is headquartered in Medford, Wisconsin. The company markets products under the Hurd and Superseal brands and is recognized for its 90-plus year tradition of building custom wood windows and doors to the highest standards of excellence and quality. Hurd products are sold exclusively through more than 400 distributors in the United States and Canada, and in 20 countries worldwide. With factories in Medford and Merrill, Wisconsin, Hurd products are manufactured in 600,000 square feet of production space. For more information and Hurd reviews, visit www.hurd.com. Toll free: 1-800-433-4873.

Source: Hurd Windows & Doors