Kimmie Candy recognized for Export Efforts

Booth 156-- Kimmie Candy Co. received a President's "E" Award for Exports, which is given to U.S. entities that make a significant contribution to the expansion of the U.X. exports, according to the U.S. Department of Commerce. Kimmie is the first confectionery manufacture ever to receive the honor.

The award is given to firms that demonstrate a sustained commitment to growing export sales, according to U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker. The company's reformulation of products for foreign markets was particularly notable as was it's increase in jobs related to export sales, she noted.

Joseph Dutra, Kimmie president and CEO, said: "I have spent a lot of my career in overseas markets. Because of this, I understand the important of exporting, and the significant contribution overseas markets can have on a company's bottom line."

During the past four to five years, exports have increased from 3 percent of Kimmie's gross sales to 15 percent. Dutra told Candy & Snack TODAY. He added that winning the award is a true honor, as a food manufacturers and agricultural companies only comprise 5 percent of the President's "E" Award winners since the honor's inception in 1964.

Further, Dutra explained that as globalization continues and trade barriers are dismantled, U.S. exports will "flourish as more and more companies wake up to the fact that 96 percent of their prospective, new customers are located outside the U.S."

This year's 123 award recipients contributed to the U.S.'s $2.23 trillion of exports during 2015, according to the Department of Commerce.