Penn Reels Hosts US Department of Commerce Town Hall Meeting
Event Attended by Secretary of Commerce, Governor, Mayor and Legislators
COLUMBIA, S.C. (May 10, 2010) – International trade and the National Export Initiative (NEI) were the agenda topics of the recent Philadelphia Town Hall Meeting, hosted by US Congressman Chaka Fattah (D-PA) and Penn Fishing Reels. Penn manufacturing headquarters, with a backdrop of Penn fishing gear and manufacturing equipment served as the meeting location.
Fattah introduced Secretary of Commerce Gary Locke and other dignitaries before the business leaders’ Town Hall and called Penn Reels “a hidden jewel” in the heart of the city. “Not many people know we have one of the world’s premier manufacturers of fishing equipment right here in Philadelphia,” Fattah said. “Penn Fishing Reels has been thriving since 1932. Penn Fishing Reels is a great example of what President Obama’s export initiative seeks to accomplish. The company is looking to expand its export business. The President’s export initiative will be helping and promoting that reach into new markets.”
“Penn Fishing Reels manufactures the industries’ highest quality assortment of saltwater fishing tackle,” said Bill Sterback, Vice President of Manufacturing. “In the past two years, we have made substantial investments to improve our manufacturing capabilities to allow us to compete in the global marketplace. We are honored to host this event in our Philadelphia facility.”
Through the NEI, President Obama has instructed the federal government to use every available federal resource to help double American exports during the next five years – a goal that will support at least two million jobs.
“This initiative was designed with one overriding goal in mind: to get people back to work in jobs that provide security, dignity and sense of hope for the future,” Commerce Secretary Locke said. “The NEI will help build a stronger economic foundation and allow us to return to the type of sustainable growth that not long ago helped build the strongest middle class in history. A critical component of stimulating economic growth in the United States is ensuring that U.S. businesses can actively participate in international markets by increasing their exports of goods, services and agricultural products.”
About Pure Fishing, Inc.
Pure Fishing, Inc. is a leading global provider of fishing tackle, lures, rods and reels with a portfolio of brands that includes Abu Garcia®, All Star®, Berkley®, Fenwick®, Gulp!®, Mitchell®, PENN®, Pflueger®, SevenStrand®, Shakespeare®, Spiderwire®, Stren®, Trilene® and Ugly Stik®. With operations in 19 countries and a dedicated workforce conversant in 28 languages, Pure Fishing, Inc. is part of Jarden Outdoor Solutions, a leader in developing outdoor and active lifestyle products and a subsidiary of Jarden Corporation. Additional information can be found at www.purefishing.com.
About Jarden Corporation
Jarden Corporation is a leading provider of niche consumer products. Jarden operates in three primary business segments through a number of well recognized brands, including: Outdoor Solutions: Abu Garcia®, Berkley®, Campingaz® and Coleman®, Fenwick®, Gulp! ®, K2®, Marker®, Marmot®, Mitchell®, Penn®, Rawlings®, Shakespeare®, Stearns®, Stren®, Trilene®, Völkl ®, and Zoot®; Consumer Solutions: Bionaire®, Crock-Pot®, FoodSaver®, Health o meter®, Holmes®, Mr. Coffee®, Oster®, Patton®, Rival®, Seal-a-Meal®, Sunbeam®, VillaWare® and White Mountain®; and Branded Consumables: Ball®, Bee®, Bicycle®, Billy Boy®, Crawford®, Diamond®, Dicon®, Fiona®, First Alert®, First Essentials®, Forster®, Hoyle®, Kerr®, Lehigh®, Leslie-Locke®, Lillo®, Loew Cornell®, Mapa®, NUK®, Pine Mountain®, Spontex® and Tigex®. Headquartered in Rye, N.Y., Jarden has over 25,000 employees worldwide. For more information, please visit www.jarden.com.
Image courtesy of Josh Dillard of the World Trade Center of Greater Philadelphia