MONTGOMERY — The Business Council of Alabama (BCA) and the Alabama Technology Network (ATN) on Wednesday announced the 2019 Manufacturer of The Year (MOTY) winners during an awards luncheon at the Alabama Activity Center.
“The purpose of the annual Manufacturer of the Year Awards is to shine a spotlight on manufacturing excellence and to give those who have invested in Alabama the acknowledgement and promotion they deserve.” Katie Boyd Britt, president and CEO of the BCA, said in a statement. “Quite simply, this is an opportunity for the business community to say, ‘job well done!’ to some of Alabama’s most successful industries.”
The MOTY awards recognize Alabama’s high-performing manufacturing enterprises that exhibit excellence in leadership, performance, profitability and workforce relations. Winners are selected by an independent panel of judges based on demonstrations of exemplary achievement in customer focus, employee commitment, operating excellence, continuous improvement, profitable growth and investment in training and retraining.
The 2019 Manufacturers of the Year, as follows:
Large Manufacturer of the Year – 400 or more employees: ZF Chassis Systems (Tuscaloosa)
For almost 100 years, ZF has been a reliable and competent partner for global vehicle manufacturers worldwide. ZF Chassis Systems Tuscaloosa develops and manufactures products that support the mobility of people and goods, including German- and Asian-based automotive manufacturers. ZF supplies Mercedes-Benz U.S. with complete axle systems for the C-class sedans. With 484 employees, ZF Chassis Systems is a manufacturing leader for Tuscaloosa and the West Alabama region.
Medium Manufacturer of the Year – 100 to 399 employees: Milo’s Tea Company (Bessemer)
Milo’s was founded as a restaurant in 1946 by Milo and Bea Carlton after Milo returned from serving our country in World War II. Milo’s philosophy was simple – use high quality, natural ingredients, listen to your customers and never sacrifice taste. Their vision still guides them today as they source natural ingredients, fresh brew all of their teas and never use added colors or preservatives. Milo’s is a certified women-owned business, which means it is majority owned and controlled by women. Milo’s employs 194 people.
Small Manufacturer of the Year – 1 to 99 employees: OnPoint Manufacturing (Florence)
OnPoint Manufacturing was formed in 2000 to make garments one at a time in exactly the size that fits the buyer. The business model allows the designer to maximize your time and capital through Purchase Activated Mass Customization of apparel. OnPoint has developed technically advanced manufacturing and distribution solutions for the apparel industry that automates and integrates almost every aspect of the manufacturing process from order entry all the way to delivery directly to the customer. By combining their new groundbreaking apparel manufacturing technology with years of quality workmanship, OnPoint is taking the promise of apparel on demand to a new level. OnPoint Manufacturing employs 25 people and is the future of the apparel industry.
Other finalists were: Kamtek in Birmingham, Specification Rubber Products in Alabaster and Thermo Fisher Scientific in Auburn.
ATN Executive Director Keith Phillips emphasized that the companies honored on Wednesday represent the best in Alabama manufacturing and the use of technology.
“For 20 years, it has been an honor to partner with the Business Council of Alabama to provide a platform for Alabama manufacturers and suppliers to share their stories of growth, hard work, and their economic impact to our state,” Phillips remarked.
Since its beginning in 2000, the BCA and ATN award ceremony has attracted Alabama dignitaries and manufacturing leaders to honor companies that are committed to improving Alabama’s economy. Lt. Governor Will Ainsworth (R-AL) was this year’s keynote speaker.
We have a packed house today for the Alabama Manufacturer of the Year luncheon today. It’s a great day to celebrate manufacturing excellence in Alabama! pic.twitter.com/MeuOMMX1zv
— BusinessCouncil ofAL (@BCAToday) May 1, 2019
The ATN connects two-year colleges, the University of Alabama System, Auburn University and the Economic Development Partnership of Alabama to solve the needs of industry throughout the Yellowhammer State.
Each ATN regional center tailors its services to meet local needs, providing innovative and cost-effective solutions to enable Alabama’s existing industry to be globally competitive. The network is the state’s affiliate of the National Institute of Standards and Technology’s Manufacturing Extension Partnership, which provides hands-on assistance and training to smaller manufacturers.
Sean Ross is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @sean_yhn
