WASHINGTON - Congressman Adam H. Putnam (FL-12), a member of the Rules and Budget Committees, will honor Equipment Specialists, Inc. officials and employees by presenting them with the U.S. Commerce Department’s Export Achievement Certificate on Monday, July 18.

“Small business is the engine of our nation’s economy and the heart of our communities, encompassing nearly 99% percent of the businesses in the Sunshine State,” said Putnam. “On behalf of the Department’s U.S. Commercial Service, it will be my honor to present Equipment Specialists, Inc. of Haines City with this prestigious award.”

Equipment Specialists, Inc. is a family owned business servicing clients around the globe with quality used and reconditioned dairy, food processing and packaging equipment, now in its fifth generation, it represents 228 years of combined experience.

“Supporting Florida’s small businesses is critical to ensuring continued job creation. They are essential to the prosperity of communities such as Haines City and create hope and economic opportunity,” said Putnam. “Equipment Specialists, Inc. has come to symbolize the entrepreneurial spirit that has made this nation and our state what they are today.”

The Export Achievement Certificate recognizes U.S. businesses that have benefited from Commercial Service export assistance to make their first export sale or open new foreign markets. Nominations are encouraged and can be accepted throughout the year from local businesses, elected officials and community leaders.

With assistance provided by the Commercial Service’s Tampa Bay U.S. Export Assistance Center and partners such as Enterprise Florida, Inc., and the Florida Export Finance Corporation,

Equipment Specialists diligently pursued leads and made $21 million worth of export sales to the Middle East and North Africa. In addition, the firm has exported to numerous Latin American markets.

The Tampa Bay U.S. Export Assistance Center is part of the global network of the U.S. Commercial Service, a Commerce Department agency that helps small and medium-sized U.S. businesses sell their products and services globally. The Commercial Service has offices in 108 domestic cities and more than 150 posts in over 80 countries. For more information on the Commercial Service, please visit www.export.gov

WHAT:   Equipment Specialists, Inc. Export Certificate Award Program

WHEN:   Monday July 18, 2005 at 9:00 a.m.

WHERE:   Equipment Specialists, Inc. Headquarters

                 310 U.S. Hwy. 17-92 West

                 Haines City, FL 33844-5019

CONTACT:     Michael Gordon, President, Equipment Specialists, Inc.  (863) 421-4567