November 2017
MiMfg Magazine
T
his year, MMA changed the way
we recognize excellence in our
industry with with the inaugural
MFG Excellence Awards.
“The stories and memories we hear
each year when presenting the John G.
Thodis Michigan Manufacturer of the
Year Award have gotten lost among
other events and other critical issues —
your stories of excellence should never
be a footnote; they deserve to be the
main attraction,” said Chuck Hadden,
MMA president & CEO as he welcomed
attendees to the sold-out event on 11/9/17
at the Crowne Plaza Lansing West.
“We’re here to celebrate the individuals
and companies that exemplify excellence
in manufacturing,” said Brian Edwards,
publisher of MiBiz and the Awards
emcee. “These are champions of
industry — and because of that they are
also champions of the cities, towns and
communities where they do business.”
Continuing, Edwards said “[manu-
facturers] are the soul of our state. You
make stuff. You innovate. You constantly
improve the quality of your products…
even when customers are pushing you to
cut costs. What you do is remarkable
and you do it every single day.”
Recognizing MMA’s Longest
Tenured Members
Over the 115-year history of MMA,
we have represented the needs of thousands
of member companies on hundreds of
issues. The MFG Excellence Awards
provided the ideal venue for us to thank
those companies whose commitment to the
Association extends more than 50 years.
More than 100 member companies
were recognized for 100, 75 and 50 years
of dedicated service to the industry and
to MMA. Learn more on page 34.
2017 MFG Excellence Award winners, from left to right: Rapid-Line’s Rick Van
Dis, PVS Chemicals’ James Nicholson, Orbitform’s Phil Sponsor, MMA’s Chuck
Hadden, Cascade Engineering’s Fred Keller, Vantage Plastics’ Paul Aultman,
Grand Valley State University’s Dr. Paul Plotkowski and Gerdau’s Adam Tabor.
India-based executive team, leading to
the development of multiple Michigan-
based locations including the company’s
North American Technical Center and
plans for continued expansion in 2018.
For more on Rick Haas and Mahindra’s
vision for Michigan’s manufacturing future,
check out the Key Conversation in the October
issue of MiMfg Magazine, available
online at http://mag.mimfg.org.
And the MFG Excellence
Awards Go To...
As the high-profile keynote ended,
the focus of the evening turned to what
brought attendees to Lansing in the
first place — the chance to recognize
some of Michigan’s most influential,
passionate and supportive individuals
and companies in manufacturing.
Our Manufacturing Future
Rick Haas, president & CEO of
Mahindra Automotive North America,
presented the evening’s keynote.
With roots in Detroit and 30-plus
years of automotive new product
experience, Haas has seen where Michigan
manufacturing has been and has a vision
for where the state could go as a global
leader in the industry. He highlighted
how Michigan’s manufacturing resurgence
caught the attention of Mahindra’s
MFG Emerging Leader
Adam Tabor of Gerdau, left,
with Governor Rick Snyder.
Manufacturers work incredibly hard, yet
they rarely take the time to accept the
recognition they deserve.
“Tonight, we’ll spotlight the great
leaders of today, the emerging leaders of
tomorrow, champions of talent and
innovation, community leaders and
dedicated partners who have helped
Michigan manufacturing become a
global leader in the 21 st century,” said
Hadden. “I hope this becomes the first
in an annual tradition of industry-wide
celebration.”
MFG Leadership Award
Governor Rick Snyder
For the last seven years, Michigan has
been privileged to have a Governor who
has prioritized a strong manufacturing
economy, skilled trades training, a
competitive regulatory climate and a
focus on technology and innovation.
Through the leadership and vision
Governor Rick Snyder has had for a
statewide reinvention, Michigan moved
from a state on the brink to a national
leader in manufacturing job growth.
“Any association will tell you it is
just easier to get things done when you
have the support and trust of the state’s
Governor and their administration,” said
Bill Henderson, president of Aircraft
Precision Products and chairman of the
MMA Board of Directors. “[Governor
Snyder] once said that manufacturing is
in Michigan’s DNA and his leadership
has been an essential factor in advancing
Michigan to becoming a global leader
for generations to come.”
Governor Snyder praised manufacturers
for their tireless effort to reinvent the
state — noting that now is not the
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