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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 630,000 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

Founded in 1900, Armstrong International is a private, fifth-generation family-owned thermal utility focused on developing products that are vital to create a sustainable energy future and was recognized for their efforts with the 2023 Michigan Manufacturer of the Year Award – Large Tier.

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


Lifetime Achievement Award

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.


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 in an upcoming issue of MMA’s membership magazine or watch the video at right.


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.


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.


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 or watch the video at right.


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.

Lifetime Achievement Award

Stormy Kromer’s Bob Jacquart was recognized with the 2022 MFG 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.


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 MFG 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.


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 an Emerging Leader.

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


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 MFG Talent Champion.

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


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 MFG Community Impact Award.

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


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