WMEP ExporTech Graduate Gamber-Johnson Receives Second President’s E-Star Award for Continued Export Revenue Growth

WMEP’s ExporTech program is a proven driver of global revenue growth diversification for Wisconsin’s manufacturers. 

Madison, Wis. – WMEP Manufacturing Solutions is pleased to announce that its client Gamber-Johnson, a graduate of the company’s ExporTech export expansion program, has been awarded the US Department of Commerce President’s “E Star” Award for Export Achievements. Created by Executive Order of President Kennedy in 1961, “E” and “E Star” awards are the highest recognition a US manufacturer can receive for contributions to expanding US exports.

Gamber-Johnson has had year-over-year cumulative revenue growth for 11 years. The company was awarded the President’s “E Award” in 2014, followed by the President’s “E Star” award in 2018. Continued increases in revenues over the last four years led to the company’s second President’s “E Star” in 2023 and Gamber-Johnson was one of just seven companies nationally to receive the prestigious honor this year. ExporTech is the only program in the nation to graduate companies that have gone on to receive both Governor’s Export Achievement Awards and US Department of Commerce awards for measured year-over-year revenue increases. In addition, WMEP’s ExporTech has been named the “Best in the Nation” by the US Department of Commerce.
 
“ExporTech, led by Roxanne Baumann, our export coach from WMEP, played a vital role in our success,” said Gautam Malik, Gamber-Johnson president. “The combination of an exceptional program, backed by Roxanne’s years of hands-on experience in the export space, have resulted in the creation of hundreds of American jobs and brought our products to 52 countries.” 
 
WMEP launched ExporTech in 2010. Since that time, the program has transformed more than 400 Wisconsin manufacturers from accidental or reactive exporters into strategic, best practice-driven export success stories. The program is targeted to C-suite executives and provides access to export specialists, individualized coaching, and guided development of a strategic plan for international growth. Program revenue results have been consistently excellent, with ExporTech graduates averaging more than $1 million in new revenue within a year of completing the program.
 
“Strategic exporters make more money and Gamber-Johnson is testimony to what’s possible when a CEO uses our ExporTech process playbook to build out a year-over-year global expansion plan,” said Roxanne Baumann, director of global engagement at WMEP. As (President) Gautam Malik always says, ‘If a small manufacturer from Stevens Point can do this, so can YOU.’”
 
With over 95% of the world’s population living outside the US, manufacturers must look beyond the American marketplace for long-term growth. “ExporTech simplifies and demystifies the strategic steps companies need to take to become successful exporters,” said Baumann. “It takes any company from where they are today, to their own customized expansion strategy with the greatest ROI and least amount of risk.”
 
The next ExporTech session begins August 21, 2023. Registration for the virtual, 12-week program is open now at https://wmep.org/trending/exportech/. Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) provides scholarships for the program, and the deadline for scholarship applications is July 14, 2023. Contact Roxanne Baumann at baumann@wmep.org for pricing and scholarship availability.
 
ABOUT WMEP MANUFACTURING SOLUTIONS
WMEP Manufacturing Solutions is a private, nonprofit organization committed to the growth and success of Wisconsin manufacturers and is part of the MEP National Network™, a public-private partnership that advances US manufacturing. MEP Centers are located in all 50 states and Puerto Rico and draw on the talents of over 1,400 trusted advisors and experts to provide assistance to small and midsize manufacturers. WMEP receives partial financial support from the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation and the NIST Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership as a subrecipient of the Wisconsin Center for Manufacturing and Productivity.   For more information, visit www.wmep.org
 
ABOUT GAMBER-JOHNSON
Gamber-Johnson is a leading supplier of rugged mounting systems that safely secure mobile communication systems, computers and other electronic equipment in fleet vehicles, public safety vehicles, forklifts and other mobility applications. Their products are used by law enforcement, public safety, military and warehouse fleets around the globe and are known for being rugged, reliable and responsive. Founded in 1954, Gamber-Johnson is located in Stevens Point, Wis.   For more information, visit www.gamberjohnson.com