HARTFORD — U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), a steadfast ally of Connecticut manufacturers, congratulated four Connecticut manufacturers that will receive the President’s “E” Award at a ceremony at the White House on May 18. The “E” Awards are the highest recognition any U.S. entity can receive for making a significant contribution to the expansion of U.S. exports.

“I’m proud of these amazing Connecticut manufacturers for figuring out the secret to success in today’s competitive global economy. This special White House award honors these businesses for their contributions toward increasing American exports, which are a driving force in Connecticut that powers our state’s economy and creates good-paying jobs,” said Murphy. “During World War II, businesses and factories that aided the war effort were awarded special ‘E’ pennants in honor of their patriotism. Seventy years later, the president’s ‘E’ Award recognizes American exporters with a solid track record of contributing to export expansion, and that’s exactly what these homegrown Connecticut businesses are doing today.”

Connecticut winners of the President’s 2015 “E” Award:

• Dymotek of Ellington, CT, is a manufacturer of custom injection molded plastic and silicone parts for electronics, plumbing valves, and juice dispensers.

• Jonal Laboratories, Inc. of Meriden, CT, is a manufacturer of elastomeric seals for the aerospace industry.

• Mutualink LLC of Wallingford, CT, is a manufacturer of hardware and software to enable multimedia collaboration for public safety, emergency response, and critical infrastructure organizations.

• Proton OnSite of Wallingford, CT, is a manufacturer of hydrogen, nitrogen, and zero air generators.

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 in December 1961. In addition to the six Connecticut companies, President Obama will honor 39 other U.S. companies with the President’s “E” Award next month. Companies are nominated for the “E” Awards through the U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service office network, located within the Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration (ITA). 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 selecting winners. For more information about the benefits of exporting and the “E” Award, visit export.gov.

The manufacturing industry plays a crucial role throughout Connecticut communities, creating new jobs and accelerating our state’s economic recovery. Today, Connecticut’s 4,602 manufacturers account for 10.2% of the state’s jobs and 87% of the state’s total exports. In order to protect and grow manufacturing jobs in Connecticut, Murphy has introduced two pieces of legislation that aim to strengthen existing standards and prioritize the purchase of American-made goods, the 21st Century Buy American Act and the American Jobs Matter Act.