8 MiMfg Magazine November 2021
“ We ’ re really excited to be here and actually do this in person and help all the award winners celebrate because it ’ s super important . It ’ s such an honor ,” says Simmons .
Understanding the significance of being recognized , Simmons says winning such an award is wonderful validation for the thousands of employees who truly drive this industry .
“ It ’ s really about the team members and the work that they do , and they deserve all the credit ,” she says . Bill Henderson , CEO of Aircraft Precision Products and 2021 recipient of the MFG Lifetime Achievement award , was happy to catch up with some colleagues and “ compare notes .”
“ It ’ s fun to see friends from the manufacturing world and recognize some people and companies that have really stood out ,” says Henderson . “ I just think it ’ s really neat to get all of these manufacturing people away from their desks and their machines and celebrate and socialize .”
He also commented on the energy in the room saying it was clear there is pent-up demand to get back to in-person events .
“ I think not just with manufacturing but with everybody . There is a hunger for faceto-face events ,” he says .
MMA Anniversary Members
These companies celebrated milestone anniversaries with MMA in 2020 and 2021 .
100 Years Stellantis
75 Years DTE
50 Years Lacks Enterprises
Michigan Tile Inc . Miller Johnson Saginaw Control & Engineering , Inc . Schad Boiler Setting Van Mark Products Corp . Ventcon Inc .
The evening ’ s momentum was led by co-hosts MMA President & CEO John J . Walsh and Donna Russell-Kuhr , President of PTM Corporation .