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WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM) has named its Exporters of the Year, honoring 10 U.S. companies whose sustained export performance, global reach, and partnership with EXIM have helped strengthen American competitiveness in markets around the world.

The award recognizes exporters across a range of industries who have demonstrated consistent international growth while leveraging EXIM support to manage risk and expand access to global customers. Collectively, this year’s honorees reflect the strength and diversity of U.S. manufacturing and services exporters, from advanced industrial equipment and healthcare products to consumer goods and critical infrastructure technologies.

Each recipient exemplifies how American companies, many of them small businesses, are using export markets to scale production, support domestic jobs, and compete more effectively in strategic global sectors.

"These companies represent the very best of American exporting — innovative, resilient, and competitive in markets across the world,” said EXIM President and Chairman John Jovanovic. “EXIM is proud to support their continued growth as they open new markets, strengthen U.S. supply chains, and support well-paying jobs here at home."

The 2026 Exporters of the Year are:

Bonaventure Group, Inc. – Raleigh, North Carolina
A small business manufacturer of fire suppression equipment operating as Afex Systems, Bonaventure Group has been an EXIM customer since 2013. The company produces liquid and dry chemical systems as well as monitoring and compliance solutions used across mining, energy, textiles, and forestry industries. With exports spanning 34 buyers across 14 markets, including Chile, Peru, Mexico, and Brazil, the company has experienced steady growth in international demand, including a significant increase in shipments over the past year. Bonaventure Group exemplifies a long-standing commitment to safety-critical manufacturing and export-led expansion.

“EXIM has been a valuable partner in supporting AFEX’s international growth and export success,” said Sally Botwick, HR & Accounting

GF Health Products, Inc. – Atlanta, Georgia
Founded in 1946, GF Health Products is a leading manufacturer of healthcare equipment and supplies serving hospitals, long-term care facilities, clinics, and home care markets. The company’s portfolio includes widely recognized brands such as Everest & Jennings, Lumex, Grafco, and Intensa. With manufacturing operations in Georgia, North Carolina, and Wisconsin, GF Health Products continues to expand its U.S.-based production footprint while exporting globally to meet rising demand for reliable medical equipment.

“EXIM Bank plays a critical role in our international sales strategy,” said CEO Kenneth Spett. “Their risk mitigation solutions enable us to enter new markets with confidence, support our foreign customers, and accelerate global growth.”

Ruelco Inc. – New Orleans, Louisiana
Ruelco is a family-owned manufacturer of measuring and process control devices serving global industrial markets. Founded in 1980, the company operates a 60,000-square-foot facility with ISO 9001 certification and employs 85 people. A certified women-owned business, Ruelco exports to more than 21 countries, including the UAE, UK, Singapore, and Australia. Starting from a garage-based operation, the company has grown into a globally recognized supplier with a strong export track record and long-standing EXIM partnership.

“We are a relatively small company with only 29 employees. However, approximately 20% of our sales are international, and many of our international customers demand credit terms,” said Daniel J. Kelly, Controller. “We have a Short-Term Multi-buyer Export Credit Insurance Policy with EXIM. Without this policy, we could not absorb the risk of international credit default, as we lack the resources to pursue collection, especially overseas.”

Powell Fabrication & Manufacturing, LLC – Saint Louis, Michigan
Established in 1964, Powell Fabrication & Manufacturing produces chemical processing equipment used primarily in chlorine containment and sodium hypochlorite production systems. The company’s technology supports a significant share of bleach production in North America and serves industrial, municipal, and consumer applications worldwide. With exports across multiple regions, including Southeast Asia, Canada, and South Africa, Powell continues to play a critical role in global chemical infrastructure.

“We have insured our foreign receivables with EXIM Bank for nearly 20 years. During that time, we have been able to rest assured that EXIM had our back should a customer be slow to pay and/or non-responsive to our inquiries regarding past due payments,” said CFO Norman Winterstein. “On more than one occasion we have worked with our EXIM broker to prepare a notice to slow paying customers explaining the fact that our receivables are insured by EXIM Bank and upon receipt of such notice customers were quick to respond and then follow up with past due payments. As long as we have foreign receivables, we will have them insured with EXIM Bank”

Ace Manufacturing & Parts Co. – Sullivan, Missouri
Founded in 1957, Ace Manufacturing is a long-standing producer of heavy-duty clutches and clutch components used in commercial trucking, industrial, and motorsport applications. Known for its innovation and U.S.-sourced production strategy, the company exports to markets across the Americas and beyond. With nearly three decades of EXIM support, Ace continues to expand its international presence while maintaining a strong domestic manufacturing base.

Graceland Fruit, Inc. – Frankfort, Michigan
Graceland Fruit is a leading U.S. producer of dried fruit ingredients and juice concentrates supplied to food manufacturers globally. Founded in 1973, the company sources and processes cherries, blueberries, cranberries, and other fruit products for international food industry customers. With growing exports across Asia and North America, Graceland Fruit continues to expand its global footprint while supporting agricultural supply chains in the United States.

“Working with the EXIM Bank program has been extremely positive and instrumental in helping our business grow internationally,” said Beth Pacurari CMA Corporate Controller. “The program provides reliable financial support, reduced risk, and has given us the confidence to pursue export opportunities we might not have otherwise considered. The process is very straightforward, and the support and guidance we receive along the way is always clear and helpful. Overall, EXIM Bank plays a key role in expanding our global reach and strengthening our ability to compete in international markets.”

Medical Illumination International, Inc. – Chatsworth, California
Established in 1978, Medical Illumination designs and manufactures surgical and medical lighting systems used in operating rooms and clinical environments worldwide. The company exports to more than 25 countries, including Japan, Australia, and Canada. With decades of EXIM support and a strong track record of global sales, the company continues to play a key role in supporting healthcare infrastructure internationally.

“The EXIM Bank programs have proven to be a valuable resource in supporting our export activities. Their risk mitigation tools have helped us expand into new markets with greater confidence, allowing us to provide open terms to customers overseas,” said Alan Kiviat, President. “EXIM’s support has enabled us to remain competitive internationally while continuing to grow our export footprint. Overall, our experience with EXIM Bank has been positive, and we view the organization as an important partner in assisting U.S. companies with exports and supporting domestic manufacturing.”

Ohio Associated Enterprises, LLC (Meritec) – Painesville, Ohio
Operating as Meritec, Ohio Associated Enterprises designs and manufactures advanced electrical interconnect systems used in military, medical, datacom, and testing applications. Founded in 1967, the company exports to 19 countries with strong market presence in Asia and Europe. With a diversified global customer base and long-standing EXIM support, Meritec continues to expand its role in high-performance industrial electronics.

“Working with EXIM over the years has provided our company with clear communication and guidance each step of the way,” said Angela Cimaglio, Block Controller. “The team is always responsive, knowledgeable, and professional. EXIM has been a reliable partner in supporting our international growth.”

Taffy Town, Inc. – Salt Lake City, Utah
A family-owned confectionery manufacturer founded in 1916, Taffy Town produces gourmet saltwater taffy and specialty candies distributed globally. The company continues a multi-generational legacy of candy manufacturing while expanding into international markets. With recent EXIM-supported export activity, Taffy Town represents a growing U.S. small business presence in global consumer goods markets.

“EXIM has provided us with the confidence to expand beyond the United States, participate in international trade shows, and bring our nostalgic American confection to customers worldwide,” said CEO Joe Adams. “We also recognize and appreciate our consultants, Impello Global, for their assistance in ensuring that both the application process and ongoing compliance are understood and manageable. We appreciate this partnership with EXIM and look forward to a prosperous relationship for years to come.”

Select Services International LLC – Doral, Florida
Select Services International serves as a manufacturing representative for U.S. construction equipment and spare parts exporters, enabling expanded access to Latin American markets. Founded in 2000, the company works closely with OEM suppliers and maintains a strong regional sales presence across Chile and Peru. With consistent export activity and long-term EXIM support, the company plays an important role in facilitating U.S. industrial exports in the Western Hemisphere.

“Select Services International has worked closely with EXIM bank through our agent, Export Insurance, since 2006, said Jose Medina. “We have been utilizing EXIM's credit insurance to support our operations for over 20 years, and EXIM has been instrumental in covering a large portion of our nearly $80 million in sales throughout Latin America during this time. Without EXIM's help and support over the years our business would not have been able to promote and sustain our successful export efforts for so many years!”

ABOUT EXIM:

As the United States government’s official export credit agency, the Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM) supports American jobs by facilitating U.S. exports. As an independent agency, EXIM plays a critical role in supporting economic growth, securing critical supply chains, and ensuring American businesses are given a fighting chance. To achieve this mission, EXIM offers financing including export credit insurance, working capital guarantees, loan guarantees, and direct loans. Learn more at www.exim.gov. 

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