Gulf South Forest Products Receives Presidential “E” Award for Exports at White House Ceremony

Gulf South Forest Products was recently 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.

“Exporting is the foundation of our company, and we are honored to receive the “E” Award,” said Sam Yohanan, CEO of Gulf South Forest Products. “I am especially proud that we have become a leading U.S. exporter of lumber products, opened new markets for U.S. exports, developed strong business relationships with customers and governments worldwide, and built an organization that is diverse, uniquely specialized and highly respected in our industry.”

With headquarters in Fort Lauderdale, FL and a 153,000 square foot storage/shipping facility in Mobile, AL, Gulf South Forest Products is a leading worldwide exporter of lumber, plywood and poles to 23 countries, shipping in excess of 103 million board feet globally. In addition to Mobile, AL, the company ships from several other major U.S. shipping ports. Approximately 95% of the company’s sales are export sales from the United States to foreign countries and regions around the world, including Haiti, Dominican Republic, Jamaica, China, Taiwan, North Africa, and West Africa.

With an average annual export sales increase of 20% from 2008 to 2012, Gulf South Forest Products demonstrated a substantial increase in the volume of exports over a four-year period, a major criteria for the award. Gulf South Forest Products continues to expand its global sales by developing new markets for U.S. forest products, thereby helping to support the U.S. economy and create jobs in America. The company’s international shipping and export documentation expertise significantly reduces customers’ costs and helps minimize delays and potential damage and loss of goods.

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.

Visit Gulf South Forest Products online for more information.  Headquarters are located at 3038 N. Federal Highway, Building L, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33306.