Central City business gets award for export work

Over the last three years, the number of exporting transactions handled by Dunlap International has grown by 53 percent at a time when the value of the dollar has make U.S. goods and service less competitive abroad.

Patricia Cook, director of the U.S. Export Assistance Center in Des Moines, attributed the growth in export transactions to the efforts of Karen Dunlap, president of Dunlap International in Central City, and her staff to find solutions for companies facing international trade challenges.

'I understand the deep capability and historical knowledge they have of businesses in the area,” Cook said. 'Through their ongoing training, they are able to solve problems as miracle workers.

'The 2,000 companies in Iowa that export cannot do the transactions on their own. The transactions are very difficult and often there is no answer book to make the deal go through.”

Cook made her comments Monday during an International Traders of Iowa luncheon at the Cedar Rapids Marriott where Dunlap International was recognized for receiving the President's 'E” Award for Exporting Excellence.

Dunlap, who founded her company 25 years ago, said receiving the award is gratifying.

'It's really an awesome feeling to realize that the simple work we do day to day has helped companies grow and achieve their export goals,” Dunlap said.

The privately-owned export-import services company exports to 70 counties, the largest of which are Saudi Arabia, Mexico and Brazil. Cook nominated Dunlap International, one of 45 companies and orgnaizations receiving the award in 2015.

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. Originally presented to companies in World War II for production excellence, it was revived in December 1961 by President John F. Kennedy.