Taco, Chafee Center recognized with ‘E’ awards for exporting excellence

JOHN HAZEN White Jr., chairman and CEO of Taco Comfort Solutions, on left, holds the U.S. Department of Commerce “E” award at Monday’s awards ceremony in Washington, D.C. With him, left to right, are Wil VandeWiel, Taco chief operating officer; U.S. Rep. James R. Langevin and U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker. / COURTESY TACO COMFORT SOLUTONS
JOHN HAZEN White Jr., chairman and CEO of Taco Comfort Solutions, on left, holds the U.S. Department of Commerce “E” award at Monday’s awards ceremony in Washington, D.C. With him, left to right, are Wil VandeWiel, Taco chief operating officer; U.S. Rep. James R. Langevin and U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker. / COURTESY TACO COMFORT SOLUTONS

(Updated 3:47 p.m.)
WASHINGTON – Taco Comfort Solutions and the John H. Chafee Center for International Business at Bryant University were recognized on Monday with the president’s “E” award for exporting excellence at a ceremony in Washington, D.C.

“E” awards were presented by U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker to 123 companies and organizations nationwide for their significant contributions to increasing the United States’ overall exports over a four-year period. The awards are considered a highlight of World Trade Month.

This is the second time that Cranston-based Taco, which makes heating, cooling and plumbing equipment, and systems for use in residential, commercial and institutional buildings, has been recognized – the first time was in 1945 when the company was known as Taco Heaters.

“Congratulations to Taco Comfort Solutions and the John H. Chafee Center for International Business for their achievements in exporting,” Pritzker said in a statement. “The recipients being honored today demonstrate the opportunity inherent in selling Made-in-America products to the broad customer base that exists outside our borders. Their success contributes to growth, job creation, competitiveness and the success of the American economy.”

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She continued, “The “E” Awards Committee was very impressed with Taco’s customization of its product line to fit the needs of customers in export markets. The company’s innovation facilities in foreign markets to train support personnel were also particularly notable.”

John Hazen White Jr., Taco’s chairman and CEO, said his company was honored to be selected for the award.
“As a company that earned one of the original “E” awards at the very end of World War II for excellence in war production, it’s very gratifying to be so honored again. And I’m pleased to note that the company my father ran then is very much the same company today, 71 years later,” White said.

A news release from Taco stated that it has taken advantage of U.S. Department of Commerce-sponsored trade missions.

The Chafee Center, at Bryant in Smithfield, provides international trade services for businesses to expand into international markets. It is involved with a September trade mission to the United Kingdom for Rhode Island businesses, and also is leading a trade mission to Canada in June. Another trip is planned for Israel in December.

Raymond Fogarty, director of the Chafee Center, said other award winners sought him out at the ceremony to learn more about the Chafee Center and what it does.
“The award winners wanted to know about our programs and how we work collaboratively with the state,” Fogarty said.

Keith Yatsuhashi, director of the U.S. Commercial Service Rhode Island office, the trade promotion arm of the U.S. Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration, said the awards show how hard businesses in the state of Rhode Island are working to be successful in a globalized economy.

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