Pacific Northwest small business honored with President’s “E” Award for Exports


“Our commitment to quality is exceptional; from product development to distributor management, quality is at the core of everything we do,” said Tara Hart, IOPI Medical, President and CEO. “For our years of hard work and commitment, to be honored with the President’s “E” Award is truly a privilege.”

U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross notified IOPI Medical of its selection to receive the President’s “E” Award for Exports. The President’s “E” Award is the highest recognition any U.S. entity can receive for making a significant contribution to the expansion of U.S. exports.

“IOPI Medical has demonstrated a sustained commitment to export expansion. The “E” Awards Committee was very impressed with IOPI Medical’s exports to 42 countries. The company’s investment in product certification to gain entry into more international markets was also particularly notable. IOPI Medical’s achievements have undoubtedly contributed to nation export expansion efforts that support the U.S. economy and create American jobs,” said Secretary Ross in his congratulatory letter to the company announcing its selection.

IOPI Medical is the manufacturer of the IOPI, a product used with patients who have a variety of diseases, such as stroke, head and neck cancer, traumatic brain injury, Parkinson’s disease, Bell’s palsy, and ALS, by objectively measuring tongue and lip strength and providing rehab if weakness is found.

The IOPI Medical brand is known worldwide due to its almost exclusive use for strength and endurance measurements, both clinically and in research, in the field of swallowing disorders.

“Our commitment to quality is exceptional; from product development to distributor management, quality is at the core of everything we do,” said Tara Hart, IOPI Medical, President and CEO. “For our years of hard work and commitment, to be honored with the President’s “E” Award is truly a privilege.”

In total, Secretary Ross honored 39 U.S companies and organizations from across the country with the President’s “E” Award for their role in strengthening the U.S. economy by sharing American ingenuity outside of our borders.

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 its expertise at every stage of the exporting process by promoting and facilitating exports and investment into the United States; administering Anti-Dumping and Countervailing Duties orders; and removing, reducing, or preventing foreign trade barriers.

About the “E” Awards

In 1961, President Kennedy signed an executive order reviving the World War II “E” symbol of excellence to honor and provide recognition to America’s exporters. Criteria for the award is based on four years of successive export growth in one or more international markets.

For more information about the “E” Awards and the benefits of exporting, visit http://www.export.gov.

Contact: Amy Temple, 425-232-3167

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