There is new potential in the export market for U.S. small businesses. Perhaps no other company demonstrates this better than Bauer Inc., a Bristol, Connecticut-based maker of aircraft component test equipment. The company was named 2025 Small Business Exporter of the Year by the United States Small Business Administration (SBA).

The SBA’s Office of Manufacturing and Trade (formerly the Office of International Trade) aims to help small businesses enter the international marketplace. The office awarded Bauer Inc. its title after it leveraged the SBA’s State Trade Expansion Program (STEP) grant funds and SBA-backed Export Working Capital Program loans, which helped Bauer’s export sales reach 35 percent of its overall sales. It was also able to use these resources to directly support over 30 jobs, according to the SBA.

Bauer, Inc. is considered a worldwide leader in aircraft test and support equipment. The company is led by Lou Auletta, President & CEO, and Michael Auletta, Senior VP of Sales and Marketing. Lou has been with the company for 41 years and has developed strong customer relationships in over 80 countries. Michael has been with Bauer for 12 years. He lived in Singapore to expand the company’s Asian market reach and embrace direct sales and build stronger customer connections abroad.

In addition to Singapore, Bauer has international partnerships in Dubai, Serbia, and England. It also has a full-time employee based in Beijing. The company’s equipment supports critical aerospace systems for commercial and military applications.

Creating more "Made in America" goods has, of course, been a major theme of the current Small Business Administration as reports have shown that more and more items being sold in America are being manufactured in other countries. For example, only around three percent of the clothing sold in the U.S. is made here, down from more than half the clothing in the 1980s, according to Barron’s. ¹

One of the first major announcements made by the SBA, after the new administration took office earlier this year, was the "Made in America" manufacturing initiative aimed at "restoring economic dominance and national security" by empowering manufacturers in the U.S. The award given to Bauer Inc. is certainly in line with this initiative.

While Bauer Inc. was the national winner of the 2025 Small Business Exporter of the Year award, the SBA also recognized a number of other businesses, including: Puerto Rico-based snack maker Dulzura Borincan; West Virginia-based glass company Wissmach Glass; Georgia-based aviation parts supplier Aventure Aviation; Indiana-based Mexican food maker El Popular; Texas-based third-party logistics company, Freeway Logistics, Inc.; Montana-based e-commerce platform creator Elk River Systems; California-based power generation systems manufacturer Combustion Associates; and Oregon-based plastic hose accessory manufacturer Epha.

In addition to running Bauer Inc. the Aulettas also spend time mentoring other Connecticut small businesses in exporting. They provide guidance and help to "open international doors" to other companies.