Rotorcorp Named Winner of 2023 Presidential Award for Export Achievement by USA Department of Commerce

Rotorcorp, the largest seller of parts, engines, and overhaul kits for Robinson helicopters, today was named a 2023 winner of the President’s “E” Award for Exports. Created in 1961 by an Executive Order of President John F. Kennedy, the “E” Award is the highest recognition that any U.S. organization can receive for significantly contributing to the expansion of U.S. exports. The award was presented to Rotorcorp President Sean Casey by Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo at a ceremony today in Washington, DC.

The “E” Award requires that a company demonstrate four consecutive years of sustained export revenue growth.  Multi-year growth of this nature is difficult enough to achieve in a normal business environment but was made even more challenging during the 2019-2022 consideration period by the unique obstacles resulting from the COVID–19 pandemic.  Supply chain issues, staffing shortages, logistics slow-downs, extended lead times along with the general economic uncertainty stemming from the pandemic posed significant headwinds for all of this year’s awardees.

Additionally, the broad implementation of sweeping sanctions against the Russian Federation following that country’s further invasion of Ukraine has closed a significant market for Robinson Helicopters. Rotorcorp grew its export business in other countries to mitigate the curtailment of the Russian market.

U.S. companies are nominated for the “E” Awards through the U.S. Commercial Service office network in 108 U.S. cities and more than 75 countries which helps U.S. companies export. Criteria for the award are based on four years of successive export growth, usually accompanied by a rising percentage of export sales within total sales. An applicant’s demonstration of an innovative international marketing plan that led to an increase in exports is a significant factor in making the award. Following nomination by a local Commercial Service Office, the “E” Award Committee, which is chaired by the Department of Commerce, and includes representatives from ExIm Bank, and the Departments of Labor, State, and Transportation makes the final award recommendation

“The ‘E’ Awards Committee was impressed with Rotorcorp’s record of export sales to more than 45 international markets. The company’s commitment to eCommerce development to facilitate international sales was also particularly notable,” said U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. “Rotorcorp’s achievements have clearly contributed to national export expansion efforts that support the U.S. economy and create American jobs.”

Global since its inception in 2011, the Authorized Robinson Helicopter Company Service Center has grown to serve over 3,000 customers who rely on Rotorcorp to keep their Robinson R22, R44, and R66 helicopters flying safely. Throughout the arc of the pandemic, Rotocorp laser-focused on its export-reliant strategic plan and meeting the needs of critical-industry Robinson helicopter operators in law enforcement, aerial agricultural application, and energy sectors around the world. These critical-industry customers literally help keep us safe, put food on our tables, and keep the lights on. 

“We are truly honored to be one of the companies to receive the 2023 “E” Award,” Casey said upon receiving the award. “With more than half of our revenues now derived from International sales,  the “E” Award is validation of our commitment to better meet the needs of our international customers through a well-developed export strategy and continued investments into our systems, processes, and the growth of our professional team.”

In addition to Rotorcorp’s eCommerce store, which makes it easy for customers to buy parts online in multiple languages, Rotorcorp’s customer service team is fluent in English and Spanish. This makes it easier for international customers to call or email the company to get help and technical advice when they need it. In December of 2022, Rotorcorp delivered major components and engines to the Uruguay National Police as part of a winning contract the company was awarded. Faced with continued extended lead times from both the airframe (Robinson) and engine (Lycoming) manufacturers, Rotorcorp worked with both company’s leadership team to drastically reduce the time these critical public safety aircraft would be down for service. “We are very pleased with how Rotorcorp advocated on our behalf,” said Eduardo Cheker, director of aviation for the Uruguay National Police. “They helped deliver the items we needed on time and helped keep our public safety mission flying,” continued Cheker.