November 2019
Tammy Bernier loves to be around people who
are up to something. It fuels her spirit and feeds her
soul. She is the type of leader never content to stay in
one place — she’s active in the community, a chair of
a national association, a force for good and a dynamo
of energy. Over the last 25 years, she has helped
bring balance to Duperon Corporation, righting a
ship that was struggling to stay afloat and turning it
into a global business that has earned the recognition
of industry leaders.
“I didn’t know I’d have so much fun here tonight
and meet so many people who are doing so many
great things. I am very inspired and am proud to be a
part of something so significant in our state,” said
Bernier. “There is no gift greater than being seen by
another human being. I’m so honored and humbled
to be recognized by you for something I’ve done —
there’s nothing better than that and thank you all for
sharing your stories tonight.”
Discover more about Bernier’s commitment to
manufacturing on page 34.
Mark Marcucci has spent a lifetime in manufac-
turing and it’s taken a lifetime for him to see the full
scope of its impact. To Mark, it starts and ends with
people and bringing value to the customer. At the
helm of Gerdau Special Steel North America, Mark
has helped keep a family owned company’s values at
the forefront even while growing its global footprint
to one of unimaginable heights.
He’ll be retiring at the end of the year but, to his
team and his community, he’s done what every
manufacturer should strive to accomplish — he’s left
the company in a better place and ready to reach for
even new potential in the next decade.
“Every day I sought to just learn one more thing
about the business and along the way I never felt like
I was going to work,” recalled Marcucci. “I am
leaving the industry at one of the most dynamic times
of its history – it’s a fantastic time to live through.
Remember to pursue opportunities to thrive. My
fellow Michigan makers; enjoy the journey because
your 43 years will pass in the blink of an eye. Leave
your mark, leave your legacy.”
Learn more about Marcucci leaving his mark on
page 36.
There has to be a better way. That is what Al Thieme
thought more than 50 years ago when he created the
first Amigo. He has scrapbooks and walls full of
letters of thanks — compliments that only drive him
to work harder and do more because even now he
believes there has to be a better way.
“I’ve looked around the room tonight and all I
can think is ‘wow, what great people’. When you
look around Michigan, we have so many great
manufacturers — what in the world am I doing
here?!,” exclaimed Thieme.
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Always looking to place the spotlight elsewhere,
on those he feels are more deserving, he asked his
wife Beth to join him on-stage.
“We all see tonight that success in our companies
is the result of many things. An idea, persistence,
employees, family, community and faith. Al had the
idea and persistence. Because of that, hundreds and
thousands of lives were improved,” said Beth Thieme.
“We’ve had tough times, but we’ve persevered and
had help along the way. Our team, our family, our
community and our faith has kept us focused.”
Continue reading about Thieme’s outstanding legacy
on page 38.
A Night of Excellence
From start to finish, the MFG Excellence Awards
was a night about the people, the brands and the
stories that make our industry something to celebrate.
Across every community, Michigan’s success stands
on a foundation of hard work, perseverance and heart
— the hearts of manufacturers. MMA thanks all who
attended, nominated, sponsored and voted and
extends its congratulations to every Michigan
manufacturer — you all deserve recognition for the
work you do every day.
For more information on the 2019 MFG Excellence
Awards and to learn about nominating companies,
people and products in 2020, contact MMA’s Sarah
Martin at 517-487-8521 or [email protected].
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