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Meet Past Award Winners

                               

It is MMA’s honor to recognize and promote the most innovative, game-changing, groundbreaking, cutting edge products and leaders from a Michigan industry that employs over 610,000 people and produces $102 billion in goods each year.

Winners of the Manufacturing Excellence Awards are the leading industry leaders, policymakers, educators and manufacturing supporters who lead and contribute to the industry.

Michigan Manufacturer of the Year Award – Large Tier

John Macchia Jr.’s foresight and innovation leading to the growth of Advance Turning and Manufacturing are among the many reasons why he has been named the 2024 John G. Thodis Michigan Manufacturer of the Year – Large Tier.

Read John’s story to learn more or watch the video at right.


Michigan Manufacturer of the Year Award – Small Tier

Company culture and dedication to the local community and to the overall manufacturing industry in Michigan places Nathan Cox and Cox Machine LLC among an elite group of John G. Thodis Michigan Manufacturer of the Year recipients.

Read Nathan’s story to learn more or watch the video at right.


Coolest Thing Made in Michigan

Trijicon Inc. has manufactured over one-million ACOGs — the 2024 Coolest Thing Made in Michigan — since 1987, disrupting the industry with crisp glass, illuminated reticle, compact design, and legendary durability.

Read Trijicon’s story in an upcoming issue of MMA’s membership magazine..


Manufacturing Lifetime Achievement

Throughout his 40-year career, Daniel Dralle made a significant impact on the industry, the community and his extended family — placing him on the MMA’s prestigious list of Manufacturing Lifetime Achievement Award recipients.

Read Dan’s story to learn more or watch the video at right.


Manufacturing Innovation Excellence

GTF Technologies’ innovations in reducing reducing food waste, helping underserved populations and providing solutions for other manufacturers’ earned them the 2024 Manufacturing Innovation Excellence award.

Read GTF’s story in an upcoming issue of MMA’s membership magazine.


Manufacturing Woman of the Year

With insights, enthusiasm and a dedication to constant development of the company, Jill Dralle has placed the U.S. division of Nexteer as a leading manufacturer in Saginaw County. Her personal skills combined with her ability to impact so many lives makes her the 2024 Manufacturing Woman of the Year.

Read Jill’s story to learn more or watch the video at right.


Manufacturing Community Impact

The 2024 Manufacturing Community Impact recipient, Fullerton Tool Comapany, has community service and corporate citizenship woven into the fabric of the company’s culture.

Read Fullerton’s story in an upcoming issue of MMA’s membership magazine..


Manufacturing Talent Champion

Christine Sermak’s ingenuity and ability to bring multiple principles together for the benefit of Total Security Solutions and future industry professionals is why she was recognized as the 2024 Manufacturing Talent Champion.

Read Christine’s story to learn more or watch the video at right.


Michigan Manufactured Export of the Year

Biodapt® by Gantec has been recognized as the 2024 Michigan Manufactured Export of the Year for providing greater opportunities for local employees based on the company’s manufacturing, technology development and global expansion needs.

Read Gantec’s story to learn more or watch the video at right.


Manufacturing Sustainability powered by Consumers Energy

As a global leader in building solutions, Holcim is enabling greener cities, smarter infrastructure and improved living standards around the world and, for that, they were recognized with the 2024 Manufacturing Sustainability award.

Read Holcim’s story in an upcoming issue of MMA’s membership magazine.


Manufacturing Emerging Leader

Due to his character, compassion and dedication to the growth of the industry and the education of future professionals, Charles Washburn of Landscape Forms has been recognized as the 2024 Manufacturing Emerging Leader.

Read Charles’ story to learn more or watch the video at right.

Michigan Manufacturer of the Year Award – Large Tier

With its stellar core values, exceptional products and influential global workforce, Armstrong International has distinguished itself as a pillar of the community and a leader in the manufacturing industry in Michigan.

Read Armstrong’s story to learn more or watch the video at right.


Michigan Manufacturer of the Year Award – Small Tier

Integrity isn't just a name for Integrity Fab & Machine Inc., it’s a way of doing business and a way of life. That's why the company was chosen for the 2023 John G. Thodis Michigan Manufacturer of the Year Award – Small Tier.

Read Integrity’s story to learn more or watch the video at right.


Coolest Thing Made in Michigan

Kirlin Lighting’s INFRALED PRO Motorized Exam Lights provide a safe, easy-to-operate alternative to boom-mounted exam lighting systems. A people’s choice vote of thousands of Michiganders determined that the recessed, remote-aimable motorized exam lighting system was the 2023 Coolest Thing Made in Michigan.

Read Kirlin Lighting’s story to learn more or watch the video at right.


Manufacturing Lifetime Achievement

Jon Hall of Glastender Inc. is a natural-born innovator focused on continual improvement and has left an indelible mark on the industry and was recognized with the 2023 Manufacturing Lifetime Achievement award.

Read Jon’s story to learn more or watch the video at right.


Manufacturing Innovation Excellence

Storch Products fosters a culture of innovation through visionary leadership, employee empowerment and a relentless pursuit of excellence and was recognized for those efforts with the 2023 Manufacturing Innovation Excellence award.

Read Storch’s story to learn more or watch the video at right.


Manufacturing Woman of the Year

Due to her genuine compassion for the team, leadership skills and the impact she has had at Jordan Manufacturing and within the community, Sachiko Johnson is a deserving recipient of the 2023 Manufacturing Woman of the Year award.

Read Sachiko’s story to learn more or watch the video at right.


Manufacturing Community Impact

Giving back to the community through local philanthropy and engagement is fundamental to the culture that drives Midland-based Case Systems, Inc and its subsidiary company, BOSTONtec and is why they were recognized with the 2023 Manufacturing Community Impact award.

Read the story of Case Systems, Inc and BOSTONtec to learn more or watch the video at right.


Manufacturing Talent Champion

DENSO Manufacturing Michigan Inc.’s dedication to education, diversity and community makes the company a highly deserving recipient of the 2023 Manufacturing Talent Champion award..

Read DENSO’s story to learn more or watch the video at right.


Michigan Manufactured Export of the Year

The A64 HD Water Cannon from Getman Corporation represents significant improvements in safety for the underground mining industry, as well as an expansion into export markets across the globe. The Water Cannon was awarded the inaugural Michigan Manufactured Export of the Year at the 2023 Manufacturing Excellence Awards.

Read Getman’s story in an upcoming issue of MMA’s membership magazine..


Manufacturing Emerging Leader

His life experiences, energy, creativity, commitment to the community and passion for the manufacturing industry truly made Bridgewater Interiors’ Ronald Hall deserving of the the 2023 Manufacturing Emerging Leader award.

Read Ronald’s story to learn more or watch the video at right.

Manufacturing Lifetime Achievement

Stormy Kromer’s Bob Jacquart was recognized with the 2022 Manufacturing Lifetime Achievement Award not only because of his entrepreneurial skills but also for his ability to form bonds near and far, while personifying the passion and drive that embodies the Upper Peninsula’s signature character.

Read Bob’s story to learn more or watch the video at right.


Michigan Manufacturer of the Year Award – Large Tier

From Duo Form’s company culture to their dedication to customers and protecting the environment, they are a very deserving winner of the 2022 Large Tier John G. Thodis Michigan Manufacturer of the Year Award winner.

Read Duo Form’s story to learn more or watch the video at right.


Manufacturing Woman of the Year

With her passion for people, leadership and the impact she’s had both inside Hemlock Semiconductor Operations LLC and within the manufacturing community, Terri Datz-Siegel is certainly a deserving recipient of the 2022 Manufacturing Woman of the Year Award.

Read Terri’s story to learn more or watch the video at right.


Michigan Manufacturer of the Year Award – Small Tier

A recipe for success and culture of innovation and dedication makes Dave Yancho and Robin McConnell of Armor Protective Packaging the 2022 Small Tier John G. Thodis Michigan Manufacturer of the Year Award winners.

Read Dave and Robin’s story to learn more or watch the video at right.


Manufacturing Emerging Leader

Advocacy, loyalty, empathy, hands-on experience and an ability to get things done are all marks of a true leader. Hemlock Semiconductor’s Kristen Opperman’s passion for being an employee advocate and her ability to connect with and inspire people truly make her a Manufacturing Emerging Leader.

Read Kristen’s story to learn more or watch the video at right.


Manufacturing Talent Champion

Hearing NN Mobile Solutions’ Steve Heethuis talk about inspiring the next generation of manufacturing professionals and motivating current workers, it’s easy to see why he’s been named this year’s Manufacturing Talent Champion.

Read Steve’s story to learn more or watch the video at right.


Manufacturing Community Impact

Peckham’s commitment to an underserved population and engagement with the city of Lansing and beyond made them a highly deserving recipient of the 2022 Manufacturing Community Impact Award.

Read Peckham’s story to learn more or watch the video at right.


Manufacturing Innovation Excellence

With their industry-leading solutions and continued growth, it’s no wonder Interactive Training Systems was selected as the 2022 Manufacturing Innovation Excellence Award recipient.

Read ITS’ story to learn more or watch the video at right.


Coolest Thing Made in Michigan

With market-leading technology, a mission of “Pursuit of the Perfect Telescope” and a future as bright as the stars, PlaneWave Instruments was awarded the 2022 Coolest Thing Made in Michigan for their PW1000 Observatory System. The company’s success today is driven by the same shared passion that brought together a group of hobbyists more than 30 years ago.

Read Planewave’s story to learn more or watch the video at right.

Contact to Learn More

Delaney McKinleyDelaney McKinley
Executive Vice President of Operations
Call 517-487-8530
E-mail mckinley@mimfg.org