FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – May 17, 2012 – ANN ARBOR, MICH. – NuStep, Inc. today was awarded the Presidential “E” Award for Exports by U.S. Department of Commerce Secretary John Bryson at the White House in Washington, D.C. The “E” Awards are the highest recognition any U.S. entity may receive for making a significant contribution to the expansion of U.S. exports. 

“I congratulate the NuStep team. Their achievements are responsible for NuStep, Inc. being selected to receive the Presidential “E” Award for Exports,” said Dick Sarns, founder and president of NuStep, Inc. “Considering the fact that only 41 other companies in the USA will receive this award in 2012, the NuStep team should be proud. To be continued!” 

NuStep, Inc. designs and manufactures three recumbent cross trainer models in Ann Arbor, Mich.  The company’s products are used in thousands of homes, fitness, wellness and rehabilitation centers throughout the world, including The University of Michigan, the Cleveland Clinic and the Duke Center for Living. 

 “I am pleased to recognize NuStep, Inc. for receiving the President’s “E” Award, which honors companies that make significant contributions toward increasing U.S. exports,” said U.S. Commerce Secretary John Bryson. “This Administration is committed to leveling the playing field for American businesses and workers to help U.S. companies build things here and sell them around the world. “E” Award winners like NuStep have excelled in this effort, demonstrating four years of successive export growth. It is companies like this that are helping to grow our economy and put more Americans back to work.” 

A business client of the Department’s U.S. Commercial Service, NuStep, Inc. has benefited from export counseling, trade show support, and market research to greatly expand its export sales.  NuStep, Inc. demonstrated a substantial increase in the volume of exports over a four-year period, a major criteria for the award. 

U.S. companies are nominated for the “E” Award through the U.S. Commercial Service office network in 108 U.S. cities and more than 75 countries which helps U.S. companies export.  The primary criterion for the “E” Award is four years of successive export growth.  “E” Awards are awarded to applicants that can demonstrate a significant contribution to U.S. export expansion that is measurable, innovative, sustainable, and has broad impact.   

All nominations are reviewed by the “E” Award Committee, which is chaired by the Department of Commerce, and includes representatives of ExIm Bank, the Small Business Administration, and the Departments of Agriculture, Labor, State, and Transportation. 

This year marks 50th anniversary of the first presentation of the President’s “E” Award by President John F. Kennedy.  The President’s “E” Award was created by Executive Order in 1961 to encourage U.S. companies to sell their products abroad.  A second award, the President’s “E Star” Award, was authorized by the Secretary of Commerce in 1969 to recognize “E” Award recipients for their continuing significant contributions to U.S. export expansion.    

A total of 41 U.S. companies and organizations were presented with the “E” Award at the May 17, 2012 World Trade Week ceremonies in Washington DC.  

 About NuStep, Inc. 

NuStep, Inc. designs and manufactures their award-winning recumbent cross trainer models in Ann Arbor, Michigan.   Developed by exercise physiologists and ergonomic specialists, NuStep’s recumbent cross trainers – along with a full line of adaptive products – make exercise possible for users of virtually any fitness level or health condition. The company’s products are used in thousands of homes, fitness, wellness and rehabilitation centers throughout the world, including The University of Michigan, the Cleveland Clinic and the Duke Center for Living. For more information about NuStep, Inc. call: 800-322-2209 or visit: www.nustep.com.