'E' Award Winners Include Canal Expansion Contractor
Now in their 50th year, the Presidential "E" Award for Exports recognizes companies for selling their products abroad. Among the winners was Ambient Technologies Inc. of St. Petersburg, Fla., for work on the Panama Canal Expansion project.
Twenty U.S. companies and organizations received Presidential "E" Awards for Exports from U.S. Department of Commerce Secretary John Bryson at the White House on May 17, continuing a tradition that began with President John F. Kennedy. The awards recognize the winners for making a significant contribution to the expansion of U.S. exports.
Ambient Technologies, Inc. of St. Petersburg, Fla., received one for work in Panama since 2009, including ongoing work in the Panama Canal Expansion project. Ambient provides geophysical, drilling, surveying, utility locating, non-destructive testing, energy conservation and generation, and geo-construction support services.
The ATI work this year consists of drilling and geophysical projects for a new bridge over the canal on the Atlantic Ocean side and work for a gas refinery, and the company may become a subcontractor on a new solicitation for a fourth bridge over the canal, reports Ambient President and CEO Carlos Lemos.
"Exporting continues to be the foundation of our sales growth, and we are honored to receive the 'E' Award," he said. "When we first began exporting in 2006, export sales accounted for a small percent of our total sales. Over the past six years, particularly with our work on the Panama Canal expansion, export sales grew and enabled us to sustain jobs and add several additional employees for a total of 50."
Bryson said all of the winners "are helping to grow our economy and put more Americans back to work." Ambient was mentioned in a report on the awards ceremony posted to the White House blog, as was McWong Environmental and Energy Group of Sacramento, Calif., a company that provides environmental design services and equipment for wastewater treatment projects in China.