Awards Programs
About the Manufacturing Excellence Awards
The annual Manufacturing Excellence Awards is a celebration of the remarkable individuals, groundbreaking products and innovative organizations that are shaping the future of our industry.
Join the Celebration
The Manufacturing Excellence Awards are celebrated during a prestigious evening of celebration and recognition that shines a light on the individuals, organizations and products that shape our economy and improve our daily lives. Join us Thursday, November 20, 2025 at The Lansing Center.
Established to recognize what makes Michigan manufacturing the best in the world, this one-of-a-kind awards program reflects the strength, ingenuity and resilience of a sector that touches every aspect of our economy and daily lives. The Manufacturing Excellence Awards are a powerful reminder of the passion, dedication and impact our community delivers every day.
MMA’s program features eleven distinct awards, including the popular Coolest Thing Made in Michigan — a people’s choice favorite. The excitement of the summer Nomination Period will build momentum through a series of fall announcements and two rounds of voting, all of which will culminate in a
prestigious evening of recognition — an unforgettable celebration that honors the heart and soul of Michigan manufacturing.
After more than 120 years since our founding, MMA remains steadfast in its mission to serve as a unifying champion for Michigan manufacturers. As a nonprofit representing the most diverse manufacturing hub in the world, we continue to lead with integrity and purpose — through legislative advocacy, workforce development, education, cost-saving programs and opportunities to connect and grow.
2025 Winners
Panels of independent industry
judges selected winners in the
following categories of the 2025 Manufacturing Excellence Awards::
John G. Thodis Michigan Manufacturer of the Year – Large Tier
- Amsted Automotive (Saginaw)
Manufacturing Lifetime Achievement Award
- Bill Dobbins, Caster Concepts (Albion)
Manufacturing Talent Champion
- Bekum America Corporation (Williamston)
Manufacturing Woman of the Year
- Laurie Harbour, Wipfli (Southfield)
- Lisa Spencer-Conn, Llink Technologies (Brown City)
Manufacturing Emerging Leader
- Olivia Ostrander, Powell Fabrication & Manufacturing
LLC (St. Louis)
- Zack Bishop, 4 Flutes Machining (Vicksburg)
2025 Finalists
In the remaining categories, panels of judges selected the following companies as top finalists based on the content and quality of nominations submitted by their peers. The winners of each category will be revealed at the Manufacturing Excellence Awards gala on Thursday, 11/20/25, in Lansing:
John G. Thodis Michigan
Manufacturer of the Year – Small Tier
- Observable Space (Adrian)
- Preferred Machine (Holland)
- Wire Wizard Welding Products (Jackson)
Manufacturing Innovation Excellence
- Elite Mold and Engineering (Shelby Township)
- Lincode Labs Inc. (Detroit)
- VERAX ERP by TARUS (Sterling Heights)
Michigan Manufactured
Export of the Year
- Clutch Assembly, Means Industries division of Amsted Automotive (Saginaw)
- Copper Forgings, Weldaloy Specialty Forgings (Warren)
Manufacturing Community Impact
- Armor Protective Packaging (Howell)
- Goodwill Integrated Solutions (Dearborn)
- Robinson Industries (Coleman)
Manufacturing Sustainability powered by Consumers Energy
- Hemlock Semiconductor LLC (Hemlock)
- Kyocera Unimerco Tooling (Saline)
- Nexteer Automotive (Saginaw)
2025 Coolest Thing Made in Michigan (People's Choice Contest)
Thousands of votes were cast by the people of Michigan in two rounds of voting to select the Top 3 finalists in the 2025 Coolest Thing Made in Michigan:
Coolest Thing Made in Michigan
- InfernoWare Dissipate Coating, InfernoWare (Ann Arbor)
- Pioneer Sugar, Michigan Sugar Company (Bay City, Caro, Croswell & Sebewaing)
- PF1000 Prime Focus System, Observable Space (Adrian)
Contact to Learn More
Delaney McKinley
Executive Vice President of Operations
Call 517-487-8530
E-mail mckinley@mimfg.org
Ashley Wakefield
Director of Membership, Marketing & Events
Call 517-487-8523
E-mail wakefield@mimfg.org