Each year, during National Small Business Week, the U.S. Small Business Administration celebrates the achievements of exceptional entrepreneurs, small business owners, and community leaders across all 50 states and U.S. territories. These individuals play a vital role in driving economic growth, fostering innovation, and strengthening America’s global competitiveness. As the small business landscape evolves, the SBA’s National Small Business Week awards recognize those whose contributions reflect the dynamic nature of our nation’s economy.
SBA’s Office of International Trade, soon to be renamed the Office of Manufacturing and Trade, has the privilege of helping small businesses enter the international marketplace and selecting the National Exporter of the Year. This year, Bauer, Inc. was named the 2025 National Exporter of the Year. A specialty manufacturer of aerospace test systems, father-son duo Louis Auletta and Michael Auletta lead the century-old Connecticut-based company. Today, after leveraging SBA’s State Trade Expansion Program (STEP) grant funds and SBA-backed Export Working Capital Program loans, its export sales represent 35% of overall sales and directly support over 30 jobs.
In addition to the national winner, SBA recognizes outstanding achievements of our regional winners across the country.
- Atlantic Region: Dulzura Borincana. A Puerto Rico-based maker of tropical sweets and snacks that secured an SBA-backed small business loan and used SBA’s Paycheck Protection Program loan assistance which increased export sales to 25% and created five new jobs.
- Mid-Atlantic Region: Wissmach Glass. A Panden City, West Virginia-based family-owned glass company that earned two STEP grants to globalize their website which led to 30% of sales from exports that support 10 full-time jobs.
- Southeast Region: Aventure Aviation. A Peachtree City, Georgia-based aviation parts supplier that used SCORE counseling, an SBA-backed Export Working Capital Program loan and STEP grants to increase export sales to over 65%.
- Great Lakes Region: El Popular. An East Chicago, Indiana-based family-owned maker of specialty Mexican foods that earned three STEP grants, allowing them to reach new markets and diversify their customer base.
- South Central Region: Freeway Logistics, Inc. A Houston, Texas-based third-party logistics company that used SCORE counseling, SBA’s Emerging Leaders Program, and Paycheck Protection Program loan assistance to support 45% of export sales and create over a dozen new jobs.
- Rocky Mountain Region: Elk River Systems. A Harlowton, Montana-based creator of customizable e-commerce platforms that secured four SBA-backed small business loans to diversify revenue streams by selling abroad.
- Pacific Region: Combustion Associates. A Corona, California-based woman-owned manufacturer of power generation systems that received SCORE mentorship and earned two STEP grants that opened new markets abroad which now support 75% export sales.
- Pacific Northwest Region: Epha. A Hermiston, Oregon-based plastic hose accessory manufacturer that received Export Finance Manager assistance and secured an SBA-backed small business loan, which increased international sales by 35% in 2024.
Want to learn how you can go global too? Contact a local representative from the Office of International Trade or visit Export products now.