MiMfg Magazine November 2019 | Page 7

November 2019 T he MFG Excellence Awards celebrates excellence in manufacturing by honoring the individuals and companies who make a positive impact in their community and in their industry. The third annual MFG Excellence Awards on 11/7/19 in East Lansing recognized 12 award winners and their amazing stories. Dressed for a night of inspiration, manufacturing leaders and supporters walked the 150 feet of red carpet to celebrate their peers and hear their stories. Stories of innovators and dreamers. Stories of cities reborn. Stories of the generations of men and women who lift us up. Stories of lifelong leaders and brand-new ones. The stories behind Michigan manufacturing. Honoring MMA’s Most Dedicated Members Since 1902, MMA has developed relationships with many employers who have been crucial to Michigan’s economic success. As is tradition, the MFG Excellence Awards provides an opportunity to recognize those companies celebrating milestone member anniversaries. MMA can’t do what we do without our members and we thank all of them for their many years — and generations — of support. See the complete listing of MMA’s longest-serving members beginning on page 12. Celebrating MFG Legislative Excellence Advocacy is one of MMA’s most important roles and effective advocacy requires relationships with legislators who truly understand the impact of their decisions on our industry. In recent years, there has been no greater champion for the manufacturing industry than Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey. A manufacturer himself, he is someone at the Capitol who manufacturers can depend on to educate new legislators about industry’s important role in Michigan. For his key role in Michigan’s economic success, MMA opened the evening’s award presentation by presenting Senator Mike Shirkey with the MFG Legislative Excellence Award. “Manufacturers see the world full of problems to solve and we love continuous improvement, not as a burden but as a gift,” said Shirkey. “There’s not a single person in this room who doesn’t understand the risk that comes with running a business — every one of you tonight deserves an award for what you do.” Learn more about Senator Shirkey’s commitment to manufacturing on page 18. MiMfg Magazine 7