UTSA International Trade Center client awarded President’s Export Award
(May 27, 2015) -- U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker presented Bespoke Group LLC with President Obama’s “E” Award for Exports at a ceremony in Washington, D.C. The President’s “E” Award is the highest recognition any U.S. entity can receive for making a significant contribution to the expansion of U.S. exports.
“The President's ‘E’ Award winners are outstanding American businesses and organizations that have played a crucial role in strengthening and growing our economy through increased U.S. exports,” said Secretary Pritzker. “By selling Made-in-America goods and services internationally, winners are creating jobs in Texas and Montana and their local communities. Congratulations to Bespoke Group LLC. Exports are critical to our nation's competitiveness in the global marketplace and solidify our country's economic leadership across the globe.”
Bespoke Group LLC is a processor and exporter of dried pulses, a food category that includes different varieties of lentils, peas, chickpeas and other bean crops.
Doug Smith, Assistant Director of the International Trade Center, a Small Business Development Center (SBDC) in the UTSA Institute for Economic Development (IED), has been actively providing international business assistance and advising to Bespoke since 2009. Smith provided advice and market research that enabled the company to make strategic decisions about international expansion. As a result of its ongoing relationship with the International Trade Center, the company’s export sales have increased by approximately 56 percent.
“Bespoke Group has done an amazing job at building a global export business,” said Smith. “They proceed very systematically and use a data-driven approach to export growth. We have been challenged to provide a broader range of market information than is normally used by most small exporters."
The contributions of Divyesh Patel, Bespoke CEO and Dallas-based entrepreneur, have had a key impact on the U.S. economy. Under his leadership and vision, Bespoke Group LLC created ‘From US Farms to World Market,’ a supply chain facilitating not only American farmers but also consumers in India who are able to enjoy high quality Pulses (legumes) in their diet.
“Exporting continues to be the foundation of our sales growth, and we are honored to receive the President’s ‘E’ Award,” said Patel. “The award is given annually to U.S. exporters whose dedication to export growth and innovation are unique and set them apart from the thousands of other U.S companies engaged in exports."
U.S. exports of goods and services hit an all-time record of $2.34 trillion in 2014, accounting for 13.4 percent of U.S. GDP, compared to 7.5 percent 30 years ago. Nationally, jobs supported by exports reached an all-time high last year of more than 11.7 million, up 1.8 million jobs since 2009.
For more information, visit Bespoke Group LLC.
The International Trade Center at UTSA is one of the largest and most successful trade assistance organizations in Texas. It helps companies become globally competitive through technical trade advising, customized market research and innovative training programs. The center is a specialty SBDC program in the South-West Texas Border SBDC Network. Follow it on Twitter and like it on Facebook.
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