LANSING (Sep. 25, 2023) — The Michigan Manufacturers Association (MMA) is proud to present the winners and finalists of the 2023 Manufacturing Excellence Awards, which celebrate the leaders and products that push Michigan’s manufacturing industry forward.

Panels of independent industry judges selected winners in the following categories of the 2023 Manufacturing Excellence Awards:

John G. Thodis Michigan Manufacturer of the Year Award – Small Tier  
Joseph Mooney, Vice President & General Manager — Integrity Fab & Machine Inc., Breckenridge 

Manufacturing Emerging Leader  
Ronald E. Hall, President & CEO — Bridgewater Interiors, Detroit 

Manufacturing Lifetime Achievement 
Jon Hall, CEO — Glastender Inc., Saginaw 

Manufacturing Talent Champion 
DENSO Manufacturing Michigan Inc., Battle Creek 

Manufacturing Woman of the Year 
Sachiko Johnson, CFO — Jordan Manufacturing Company, Belding 

In four company and product-based award categories, panels of judges selected the following companies as top finalists based on the content and quality of nominations submitted by their peers. 

John G. Thodis Michigan Manufacturer of the Year – Large Tier  
Armstrong International, Three Rivers 
Miller Industries, Fenton 
RoMan Manufacturing, Grand Rapids 

Manufacturing Community Impact  
Case Systems Inc., Midland 
DENSO Manufacturing Michigan Inc., Battle Creek 
Gerdau Special Steel, Jackson 

Manufacturing Innovation Excellence 
DC’s LEDs, Rochester Hills
ELCo Enterprises Inc., Jackson 
Storch Products, Livonia

*NEW for 2023* Michigan Manufactured Export of the Year 
A64 HD Water Cannon, Getman Corporation, Bangor 
Equipment for Aluminum Extrusion, Granco Clark Inc., Belding 

Thousands of votes were cast by the people of Michigan in two rounds of voting to select the Top 3 finalists in the 2023 Coolest Thing Made in Michigan competition:  

Top 3 Coolest Things Made in Michigan Finalists: 
Aluminum Fishing Bait Molds — Angling Ai, Jackson 
Aurora Plasma Thruster — Orbion Space Technology, Houghton 
INFRALED PRO Motorized Exam Lights — Kirlin Lighting, Detroit 

Established by the MMA, this one-of-a-kind awards program recognizes what makes Michigan manufacturing the best in the world and it culminates in 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. 

“The MMA is proud to distinguish the 2023 Manufacturing Excellence award winners and finalists, celebrating their outstanding service to Michigan’s manufacturing community — which continues to distinguish Michigan’s manufacturing prowess on the global stage,” said MMA’s Executive Vice President of Operations, Delaney McKinley. “The annual Manufacturing Excellence Awards stand as a tribute to Michigan’s visionary leaders and the groundbreaking products propelling Michigan’s manufacturing sector to unprecedented heights,” McKinley continued.

During the annual Manufacturing Excellence Awards gala on Thursday, Nov. 9, 2023, hundreds of manufacturers from across the state will come together to celebrate 2023 award winners and watch as the ultimate winners of the company and product-based awards are revealed.

Learn more about MMA and the Coolest Thing Made in Michigan at micoolestthing.org or contact MMA’s Delaney McKinley at 517-487-8530 or mckinley@mimfg.org.

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