Exports are big business for small- and mid-sized Oklahoma companies. That was the word from Congressman Wes Watkins, who presented Mills Machine Co. with the U. S. Commercial Service's Export Achievement Certificate. The award recognizes U.S. businesses that have made their first or a significant new-to-market export sale.

"Most jobs in America are created by small companies. Small- and mid-sized companies like Mills Machine Co. comprise almost 97 percent of U. S. exporters," said Congressman Watkins.

Watkins took time out to visit the Shawnee manufacturer and present their top management with the government-sponsored certificate calling attention to their recent export sales. At the ceremony, held at the Mills Machine Co. facility in Shawnee, Okla., Watkins presented company president Charles Mills with the Export Achievement Certificate.

Mills Machine Co. has been exporting to more than 70 countries worldwide since 1979 and in 1985 Mills International Corp. was established to export products that Mills Machine did not manufacture.