Leadership Award
Company engages its employees with a school(s). This can be done in a number of ways; plant tours, job shadows, and employee engagement at school.
Past Winners:
- 2012: Ariens
- 2013: Miller Electric
- 2014: N.E.W. Plastics
- 2015: Georgia Pacific
- 2016: KI
- 2017: Kohler Co.
- 2018: Plexus
- 2019: Miller Electric Mfg. Co.
- 2020: Sargento Foods
- 2021: Pieper Electric, Inc.
- 2022: CMD Corporation
Youth Apprenticeship Award (for k-12)
A manufacturer that has invested in youth through offering youth apprenticeship opportunities.
Past Winners:
- 2012: A to Z Machine
- 2013: Ameriquip
- 2014: Pioneer Metal Finishing
- 2015: Kohler Co.
- 2016: NEW Water
- 2017: KI
- 2018: Jagemann Stamping
- 2019: Ariens Company
- 2020: Suburban Electric
- 2021: Fox Valley Tool & Die
- 2022: A to Z Machine Company, Inc.
Educational Partnership Award
Significant financial contribution or capital investment provided to a school.
Past Winners:
- 2012: Lindquist Machine
- 2013: Custom Metals Specialists
- 2014: Kondex Corp.
- 2015: Curt G. Joa
- 2016: Alliance Laundry Systems
- 2017: Robinson Metal
- 2018: Bemis Company
- 2019: Therma-Tron-X, Inc.
- 2020: Valley Packaging Industries
- 2021: Fox Valley Tool & Die
- 2022: Amcor Cares Foundation
Brighter Image Award
Has created a positive image of manufacturing careers for students.
Past Winners:
- 2012: Kohler
- 2013: Precision Machine
- 2014: KI
- 2015: Laminations/Great Northern Corp
- 2016: Masters Gallery Foods, Inc.
- 2017: Team Industries
- 2018: Samuel, Son & Co. (USA) Inc
- 2019: BPM Inc.
- 2020: Walker Forge
- 2021: Amcor Flexibles
- 2022: SMT Machine & Tool
Visionary Award
Individual, perhaps a CEO, who has been an advocate for manufacturing by providing a pathway for the region.
Past Winners:
- 2012: Paul Rauscher
- 2013: Mark Kaiser
- 2014: Jim Koronkiewicz
- 2015: Paul Bartelt
- 2016: Andy Bushmaker
- 2017: Dan Ariens
- 2018: Pete Uvaas
- 2019: Jared Bailin
- 2020: Wilson Jones, Oshkosh Corp.
- 2021: Mike VanderZanden, Amerequip
- 2022: Ryan Scherer, Miller Electric Mfg. Co.
Manufacturing Innovation Award
Programs that involve innovative ways to get youth interested in manufacturing (i.e. manufacturerers that sponsor school labs such as, BayLink Manufacturing, Project Grille, etc.)
Past Winners:
- 2012: None
- 2013: Walker Forge
- 2014: Johnsonville Sausage
- 2015: Waupaca Foundry
- 2016: Nercon Eng. & Mfg., Inc.
- 2017: Marine Travelift
- 2018: Johnson Controls
- 2019: Gulfstream Aerospace Corp.
- 2020: Plexus
- 2021: Miller Electric Mfg. Co.
- 2022: Ariens Co.