Cedar Park Company Garners U.S. Commerce Department Honor

CEDAR PARK, TX — Cedar Park-based Fortune Products Inc., a maker of manual sharpening products and knives, was honored by the U.S. Secretary of Commerce for its role in expanding U.S. exports.

U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross presented the firm with the President's "E" Award for Exports at a ceremony in Washington, D.C., on May 21. The award is the highest recognition a U.S. entity can receive for making a significant contribution to the expansion of U.S. exports, according to a press release.

"Fortune Products has demonstrated a sustained commitment to export expansion," Ross wrote in a congratulatory letter to the company that accompanied the award. "The "E" Awards Committee was very impressed with Fortune Products' export sales to multiple industries in 64 countries. The company's 65 percent growth in employment supported by exports was also particularly notable. Fortune Products' achievements have undoubtedly contributed to national export expansion efforts that support the U.S. economy and create American jobs."

The company's president and CEO, Jay Cavanaugh was on hand to receive the award, according to the advisory.

Established in 1984, Fortune Products, Inc. is the manufacturer of the award-winning AccuSharp brand of knife & tool sharpeners and offers a full line of manual sharpening products and knives, according to company literature. Fortune Products has also successfully launched two additional brands – SharpNEasy and ParaForce – into its broad scope of sharpening products, tools, and knives, officials added.

(For more information about Fortune Products, Inc. and its full line of sharpening products and tools, visit www.accusharp.com.)

"Our team takes pride in providing quality products that offer a great value and as our brand continues to grow internationally, exporting has become a vital part of our sales," Cavanaugh said in a prepared statement. "Buyers and consumers in foreign markets are increasingly seeking quality products made in the United States. We are extremely proud to be recognized for our contribution in the export market and honored to receive the President's 'E' Award."

All told, 43 American companies and organizations were honored with the President's "E" Award for their role in strengthening the U.S. economy via their exports. U.S. companies are nominated for the "E" Awards through the U.S. Commercial Service, part of the Department's International Trade Administration. With offices across the United States and in embassies and consulates around the world, The International Trade Administration lends exporting expertise in exporting and investment into the U.S.

U.S. exports totaled $2.33 trillion in 2017, accounting for 12 percent of U.S. gross domestic product. Exports supported an estimated 10.7 million jobs nationwide in 2016, according to the most recent statistics from the International Trade Administration.

For more information about the "E" Awards and the benefits of exporting, visit www.export.gov.

>>> Photo: U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross, left, presented the President's "E" Award for Exports to Fortune Products, Inc. President Jay Cavanaugh & Dianna Cavanaugh at a ceremony in Washington, D.C., on May 21, 2018, via U.S. Commerce Department