September 2017
MiMfg Magazine
You’re Invited! Hear from the Best of
the Best in Michigan Manufacturing
Nobody tells a story like manufacturers
and no product touches the lives of everyday
people like Michigan-made products.
Hear the manufacturing stories at the
prestigious MFG Excellence Awards,
Michigan’s largest celebration of industry
leaders. This black-tie event will be a
night of celebration, networking and
memories as MMA honors the men and
women who have reinvigorated the state’s
most vital industry.
In addition to recognizing the newest
John G. Thodis Michigan Manufacturer
of the Year and MFG Talent Champion
(read statements from past honorees below),
several individuals and companies will be
honored with new awards including:
• Emerging Leader — Hear from an
energetic, future-focused leader who
exemplifies the modern manufacturer
and is driven to make tomorrow’s
industry even better.
• Community Impact — Learn the
secrets of a company that has shown
exemplary leadership in serving its
ay!
local community and shared the
giving nature of manufacturing.
• Innovation Excellence — Highlight a
company that has brought an innovative
concept to market, and developed and
maintained a culture focused on engaging
the workforce to bring new ideas to life.
• Lifetime Achievement — Honor an
individual who has excelled in the
industry and inspires their peers,
emerging leaders, lawmakers and
educators to strive to make significant
contributions to their company,
industry and community.
Plan to join us on Thursday, 11/9/17,
in Lansing for the honoring of the
MFG Excellence Awards. You’ll hear
exceptional stories of world-class leaders
and learn best practices you can apply in
your own business. Register now in
News & Events or connect with Sarah
Martin, MMA event coordinator, at
517-487-8521 or [email protected].
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RSVP T
excellence
AWARDS
Date & Location
Thursday, November 9, 2017
Crowne Plaza Lansing West
Pricing
$150/person for MMA Industry
& Associate Members
$250/person for MMA Insurance
& Future Members
$1,250 for a table (seats 10)
Registration
Online: www.mimfg.org
Phone: 517-487-8521
E-mail: [email protected]
From Previous Winners...
“I was completely overwhelmed by the idea of being a
Talent Champion. Manufacturers have such pride in
what they do – our job is to help them show it and
share it. I grew up around manufacturing. It’s in my
blood. What I’m doing, it’s a labor of love.”
– Kelly Burr, 2016 MFG Talent Champion,
The Shop Rat Foundation “It’s about continuously looking for ways to innovate.
Whether it is one facility or a statewide manufacturing
industry, you have to always encourage new ideas
and different ways of thinking in order to succeed.”
– Jack Finlayson, 2014 MMY – Large Tier, Gerdau
Special Steel North America (Monroe, Jackson)
“Manufacturing is the pulse of America. Manufacturing
drives Michigan communities. Strong manufacturing
keeps jobs here and revitalizes the areas that have
been hurt. [We] have to work to solve manufacturing’s
issues. If we don’t involve ourselves, nobody else will
rise up to help. We must lead the process.”
– Patrick Curry, 2014 John G. Thodis Michigan
Manufacturer of the Year (small tier), Fullerton Tool “If everyone believes [talent] is someone else’s
problem to solve, eventually the new people that are
coming in cannot make up for the workers that are
retiring. That’s where we are today. We must build
a dialogue between employers and educators.
Collaboration is key to solving this problem.”
– Jason Luke, 2014 MFG Talent Champion,
Kalamazoo RESA
“We are doing a lot of cool stuff in manufacturing. I want
to make it sexy. I want it to appeal to people. Manufacturers
take pride in their work. It’s not just about the product, it’s
about the service it provides and the time spent creating it.”
– Jon DeWys, 2013 John G. Thodis Michigan Manufacturer
of the Year (small tier), DeWys Manufacturing “It is amazing to hear the comments from people
who have purchased our product. It is so inspiring
to hear them say how it has changed their life.”
– Al Thieme, 2012 John G. Thodis Michigan
Manufacturer of the Year (small tier), Amigo Mobility
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