Award Categories

Teams of independent judges determine award recipients based on the content and quality of the completed nomination forms. Anyone, except MMA staff, may nominate an individual or company within Michigan’s manufacturing industry.

Self-nominations are encouraged. You may submit multiple nominations for each category. However, numerous nominations for the same person/organization/program will not make them more likely to be selected.

A strong nomination will include information about how the individual or company has worked toward the success of the manufacturing industry, company and employees. You are encouraged to provide supporting documents for the judges, including letters of recommendation, testimonials, press articles and achievements.

MMA works with Maner Costerisan as our Due Diligence Partner to maintain the integrity of the Manufacturing Excellence Awards program.

Given to a manufacturer who has excelled in the industry and inspires his or her peers, emerging leaders, lawmakers and educators to strive to make significant contributions to his or her company, industry and community.

Awarded to an individual

Criteria

Please submit one or more letters of support stating why this individual should be considered for a Lifetime Achievement Award. Questions that may be answered in these letters of support include:

1. How has the individual utilized his/her manufacturing business, resources and personal leadership skills in making a key contribution to the community and to the state of Michigan?
2. Describe how the nominee has demonstrated innovative leadership.
3. How have they demonstrated dedication to the manufacturing community?
4. How has the nominee served MMA and/or other professional, community or philanthropic organizations?
5. What other information about the nominee may be helpful to the judges in their evaluation? This can include letters of recommendation, certification achievements or accolades, etc.

Established to honor the important, positive and tangible contributions individual manufacturers make to their employees, customers and communities and has honored some of Michigan’s most well-known brands since 1981. This prestigious Award now carries the memory of MMA’s longest serving president, John G. Thodis, whose lifetime of industry service is one that all deserving manufacturers strive to duplicate.

Large Tier: 201 or more employees, awarded to a company or individual
Small Tier: 200 or fewer employees, awarded to an individual

Criteria (for both small and large tiers)
1. How has the individual/company utilized his/her manufacturing business, resources and personal leadership skills in making a key contribution to the community and to the state of Michigan?
2. Describe how the nominee has demonstrated innovative leadership.
3. How have they demonstrated dedication to the manufacturing community?
4. How has the nominee served MMA and/or other professional, community or philanthropic organizations?
5. What other information about the nominee may be helpful to the judges in their evaluation? This can include letters of recommendation, certification achievements or accolades, etc.

Honors the roles women play in manufacturing as well as their significant achievements in the industry and positive impacts within their companies and communities. An individual woman at any level of manufacturing, from the factory floor to the C-suite, is eligible to be nominated.

Awarded to an individual woman at any level of manufacturing

Criteria
1. How has the individual utilized her manufacturing business, resources, and personal leadership skills to make key contributions to the success and growth of the industry?
2. Describe how the nominee has demonstrated innovative leadership and gained results within the organization.
3. How has she demonstrated dedication to the manufacturing community and female talent in the industry?
4. How has the nominee served MMA and/or other professional, community or philanthropic organizations?
5. What other information about the nominee may be helpful to the judges in their evaluation? This can include letters of recommendation, certification achievements or accolades, etc.

Awarded for noteworthy contributions to the industry and the potential for future accomplishments within Michigan manufacturing. This Award recognizes and honors a new manufacturing leader who has been involved in the industry for less than 12 years.

Awarded to an individual

Criteria
1. Describe how this individual is committed to the industry and his/her future potential.
2. How have they demonstrated dedication to the manufacturing community?
3. How has the nominee served MMA and/or other professional, community or philanthropic organizations?
4. What other information about the nominee may be helpful to the judges in their evaluation? This can include letters of recommendation, certification achievements or accolades, etc.

Recognizes those who bring focus to the critical need to attract Michigan’s next generation workforce to the industry’s variety of career options.

Awarded to a program or an individual

Criteria
1. How has the individual or program utilized manufacturing business, resources and leadership to strengthen the manufacturing skilled workforce?
2. How has the nominee developed and maintained a culture to support manufacturing talent?
3. How has the individual or program engaged stakeholders and utilized local and state resources to address manufacturing talent challenges?
4. How has the nominee served MMA and/or other professional, community or philanthropic organizations?
5. What other information about the nominee may be helpful to the judges in their evaluation? This can include letters of recommendation, certification achievements or accolades, etc.
   

Celebrates a company that has introduced noteworthy innovations to advance the industry. This Award showcases a company that not only has brought an innovative concept to market but has developed and maintained a culture focused on engaging the workforce to bring new ideas to life.

Awarded to a company

Criteria
1. Describe how this manufacturer has developed an innovative product or process that is a game changer for their customers, industry or others?
2. How has the company developed, and maintained, a culture of innovation?
3. How does the company utilize innovation and technology to problem solve?
4. What process is used to bring new ideas to life?
5. How has this company served MMA and/or other professional, community and philanthropic organizations?
   

Honors a manufacturing business that has shown exemplary leadership in serving its community or state, and is an example of the involved and giving nature of manufacturers.

Awarded to a company

Criteria
1. How has the company utilized the manufacturing business, resources and leadership to contribute to the community?
2. What impact has this manufacturing operation had on the community?
3. How does the community service work and charitable activities the company is engaged in fit within their mission and/or advancing the manufacturing industry?
4. How does the company engage employees of all levels to have a positive community impact?
5. How has this company served MMA and/or other professional, community and philanthropic organizations

Awarded to a product that has benefited from effective leveraging of export resources to expand into global markets, grow and diversify revenue and support Michigan jobs. Introdcued in 2023, this Award recognizes exporting success, the benefits of international trade and the many resources available to support the expansion of Michigan manufacturers into markets around the world.

Awarded to a product.

Criteria
1. How has the company utilized Michigan export resources, including but not limited to the MEDC International Trade program, to grow exports for this product?
2. Into which global markets is this product sold?
3. Please describe percentage sales growth of this product globally or in specific markets (ex: past 3-5 years, or can look further back if applicable).
4. Is this product manufactured in Michigan? Please describe.
   
5. Does the product or its production process integrate local elements, resources or initiatives?
6. What other information about the product may be helpful to the judges in their evaluation? This can include letters of recommendation, certification achievements or accolades, etc.

New in 2024, the Manufacturing Sustainability Award recognizes a Michigan manufacturer of any size that is planning and taking action to improve sustainability through regenerative solutions in an effort to make a revolutionary and lasting impact.

Efforts include but are not limited to energy efficiency and energy waste reduction, renewable energy, decarbonization and carbon sequestration, recycling, reuse, waste reduction and brownfield redevelopment.

Awarded to a company.

Criteria
1. How has the company taken action to improve sustainability through regenerative solutions in an effort to make a revolutionary and lasting impact?
2. Describe the results and impact of the company’s sustainability initiatives.
3. What internal processes have been put in place to identify environmental impact and trailblazing solutions for sustainability?
4. How has the company balanced sustainability and efficiency measures with profitand productivity?
5. What other information about the company and its sustainability measures may be helpful to the judges in their evaluation? This could include letters of recommendation, certifications, etc.