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Warren Rupp Inc. added a pennant to the company's flagpole Friday.

It happened to be Flag Day.

Alongside the U.S. flag already flowing in the breeze, a new white pennant with a blue letter "E" was given to the company by the U.S. Department of Commerce.

The Mansfield pump manufacturer received a prestigious Presidential "E" award for its significant contribution to the expansion of U.S. exports in May, but the company wanted to share the honor with its employees and Friday celebrated with a picnic beneath a tent on the lawn of the facility at 800 N. Main St. 

Mansfield Mayor Tim Theaker, state Rep. Mark Romanchuk, R-Ontario, Richland Area Chamber and Economic Development president and CEO Jodie Perry, and Lucas Crumley from U.S. Representative Troy Balderson's office were invited to the celebration. Officials from the Cleveland office of the Department of Commerce also were in attendance.

Warren Rupp was one of 48 U.S. companies honored with the President’s “E” Award, the highest recognition any U.S. entity can receive for making a significant contribution to the expansion of U.S. exports, according to the company.

Warren Rupp Inc. is a leading manufacturer of air-operated double diaphragm (AODD) pumps. Warren Rupp engineered solutions for various industrial markets are sold worldwide through a network of independent, factory-authorized distributors, marketed in over 75 countries and in nearly every major trading area.

David Llewellyn, general manager of Warren Rupp Inc., said the company has sales and distribution partners in six continents.

"We're actively selling and promoting highly-engineered pumping solutions in mission critical applications in over 75 countries," he said.

“Over the past decade, we’ve made significant investments in expanding our global reach,” Llewellyn said. “Through a number of sales and marketing initiatives we’ve expanded our global footprint and are proud to provide quality products made in the United States abroad. This award is a testament to the hard work of Warren Rupp employees, and it is an honor to accept the “E” Award on their behalf.”

Llewellyn and colleagues from Warren Rupp  -  Heather Neil, Michelle Miller and Jacob Medley - attended the ceremony in Washington D.C. on May 23.

Llewellyn said the local company has helped support the U.S. economy and helped support jobs in the United States.

Theaker said Warren Rupp Inc. has a high-tech plant which is above and beyond a lot of other companies in the area.

"This is an award that definitely gives this plant a leg up," Theaker said in congratulating the company and presenting a proclamation.

Warren Rupp Inc. currently has 175 employees.

Founded in Mansfield in 1965 by Warren E. Rupp and Charles E. Young Jr., the company established itself with the vision of designing, building and marketing "new and different pumps."

In 2018, U.S. exports were the highest on record with U.S. services at $821.1 billion and U.S. exports of goods reaching $1.7 trillion, demonstrating how American private enterprise can not only survive, but thrive, in the international market, according to a news release from the company.

American companies are nominated for “E” Awards through the U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service office network, located within the U.S. Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration.