The National Association of Manufacturers’ Manufacturing Leadership Council recognizes these world-class manufacturing companies and individual leaders for their outstanding efforts.

Manufacturers of the Year


Small/Medium Enterprise:
Cooley Group

Large Enterprise: Intertape Polymer Group

Manufacturing Leader of the Year

 

Dan Dwight, President and CEO, Cooley Group

Project Winners and Finalists

AI and Machine Learning

 

WINNER: Celanese – Gen AI-Powered Celanese Digital Twin at Scale

  • BAE Systems – Machine Learning with Automated Optical Inspection of Die Substrates
  • Cooley Group – Machine Learning in Extrusion for OEE Yield Optimization
  • Corning Incorporated – CET Extrusion Service Die Prediction
  • Genentech, A Member of the Roche Group – Igniting Advanced Data Analytics with the Roche-Genentech Data Computation Platform
  • Intel Corporation – An AI-Based Solution for Real-Time Inferencing of Semiconductor Wafer Probing  Process
  • Intel Corporation – Machine Assisted Diagnostics for Quality, Safety, and Repair Root Cause Analysis
  • Maxion Wheels – Product Development Driven by Artificial Intelligence and Deep Learning: An Advanced Engineering Approach for Sustainable Efficiency
  • Novelis – Plant of the Future with AI/ML
  • Saudi Aramco – Shaybah Production Optimization via Integrated AI and Simulation Solutions

Collaborative Ecosystems

 

WINNER: Anheuser-Busch InBev – Revolutionizing Sensory Tasting and Transparency: The SensoryOne Platform

  • Architectural Fabrication – Collaborative Ecosystem: Optimization Leads for 233% – 316% ROI
  • EnerSys – Managing Daily Improvement to Better Serve Our Customers
  • Genentech, A Member of the Roche Group – Virtual Product Home (VPH) – A Collaborative Knowledge Management Tool
  • Genentech, A Member of the Roche Group – ITOT Business Support Squad
  • Hyster-Yale Group | Hyster-Yale Materials Handling – Traffic Management Platform
  • MxD – Cybersecurity for Manufacturing Operational Technology (CyMOT) with UMBC

Digital Network Connectivity


WINNER: Molex, LLC – Twinax Cable Production Operator Transformation

  • Cisco Systems Inc. – AI-Driven Hardware xDVT Using Telemetry and its Impact on Manufacturing
  • Hitachi Energy – Digitalization the Grid via Smart Assets and Remote Services
  • MxD – MxD Sensor Kit
  • Peterbilt Motors – Revolutionizing Connectivity: Automation Network with Private Cellular and 5G
  • Whirlpool Corporation – Manufacturing Digital Transformation

Digital Supply Chains


WINNER: The Wonderful Company – Farm to Shelf: Producing, Packing, and Delivering the Perfect Mandarin with IoT and Cloud Technologies

  • Cisco Systems Inc. – All-Around Risk Governance Utility & Solution (ARGUS) – Early Component and Product Risk Monitoring and Mitigation through Closed Looped Corrective Action
  • Cisco Systems Inc. – Product Lifecycle Knowledge Hub
  • Dow Inc. – Dow’s Evolution of Real-Time Product Availability
  • Modine – Modine Implements LeanDNA for Digital Supply Chain Transformation
  • NCDMM (National Center for Defense Manufacturing and Machining) – NE Defense Supply Chain Enhancement for Additive Manufacturing
  • Nexteer Automotive – Manufacturing and Engineering Sourcepro
  • Viapath Technologies – Educating, Enabling, and Serving Correctional Facilities with Advanced Technologies
  • The Wonderful Company – Farm to Shelf: Producing, Packing, and Delivering the Perfect Mandarin with IoT and Cloud Technologies
  • Zebra Technologies – Improving Supply Chain Resiliency with Operational Excellence

Engineering and Production Technology


WINNER: Van Wijnen Smart Structures – Van Wijnen Redefines Construction and Slashes Sales Time in Half

  • ANCA – AIMS: Creating a Flexible Ecosystem to Revolutionize Manufacturing
  • The Boeing Company – Boeing Defense Field Operations: Additive Manufacturing (AM) Aircraft Repair and Retrofit at Remote Customer Sites
  • Corning Incorporated – Predictive Analytics for Injection Molding
  • Corteva Agriscience – INATREQ™ Bacterial Strain and Process Improvement
  • Eastman – Improving Agility, Quality and Startup Time through Digital Checkout and Commissioning
  • ESAB Corporation – Warrior Edge 500 CX
  • Jabil – Automation Re-engineered: New I/O Controller PCBA Cuts Setup Time
  • Lockheed Martin – Edge Coating Verification Cell
  • Lockheed Martin – Digitizing and Automating Faster Kitting
  • Maxion Wheels – New Process Design Frontiers through Advanced Simulation, High-Performance Computing and Top-Notch Data Science
  • Peterbilt Motors – Driving Connected Manufacturing Excellence: Ignition Platform Integration into Shopfloor
  • Plastikos Medical – Plastikos Medical’s Automated Packaging System
  • Symmetrix Composite Tooling – How a Digital Fabricator Manages Three Plant Locations with Ease Using ERP
  • Whirlpool Corporation – SlimTech™ Insulation – New to the World Manufacturing Process
  • Zebra Technologies Corporation – Advanced Manufacturing Capabilities for Optical Image Capture Camera Modules

Enterprise Integration and Technology


WINNERS:

Dow Inc. – Digital Manufacturing
General Motors – Unleash Manufacturing Potential with Live Data Intelligence

  • Flex – Qualifying Processor BGAs for Cloud Organizations in the Era of 5G
  • Hologic Costa Rica – IT Transformative Technologies to Improve Processes at Hologic Costa Rica
  • MxD – Rapid and Secure Deployment of Medical Devices and Instrumentation: Lungs-in-the-Loop
  • Parker Hannifin – Parker Hannifin Manufacturing Throughput as a Service (MTaaS)
  • Tamarack Products – How a Job Shop Increased Machine Utilization by 10% in One Year

Operational Excellence

 

WINNER: Owens Corning – New Digitally Enabled Remote Support Strategy Drives Record Manufacturing Results

  • Anheuser-Busch InBev – Next-Level Maintenance Now in Your Hands: The Maintenance Execution (MAX) App
  • Cooley Group – M4.0-Integrated Environment Empowers Team to Drive Change
  • CoorsTek – CoorsTek Model Plant Implementation
  • Corning Incorporated – Enabling Cost Visibility at Actionable Level
  • Corteva Agriscience – RINSKOR™ Herbicide Launch Manufacturing Process
  • Dart Container – Rapidly Boosting Operational Efficiency with Connected Workforce Technology
  • EnerSys – Enersys Common Cell Tubular Project
  • Flex – A Digital Management Platform for Operational Efficiency and Quality
  • Foundation Wellness – Implementation of MES with IIoT Technology to Improve Real-Time Visibility and OEE
  • General Motors – Improving Manufacturing with Automated Bin Picking
  • General Motors – Improving Laser Welding Quality with Smart Vision Technology
  • GM Defense – GM Defense Doubles Production and Leads Industry Best Practices
  • IBM Corporation – Empowering Supply Chain by Manufacturing Transformation
  • Intel Corporation – Simplification and Automation of Extraordinarily Complex and Dynamic Production Lines in the Semiconductor Industry
  • Intertape Polymer Group – Analytics and AI Accelerating Factory Efficiency – Intertape Polymer Group Midland, NC, Plant
  • Lockheed Martin – VAST (Virtual Aircraft Systems Troubleshooter)
  • MORryde International – Low-Cost, High ROI Manufacturing System for Operational Excellence
  • Northrop Grumman – Performance Management Takes Flight at Northrop Grumman
  • Oshkosh Corporation – Revolutionizing RCV Manufacturing with Industry 4.0
  • Pella Corporation – Transforming Continuous Improvement and Accelerating Productivity through Smart Factory Integration
  • Peterbilt Motors – Cab Trim One Piece Flow
  • Samuel, Son & Co., Limited – Optimizing Aluminum Extrusion: Advanced Die-Copy Performance Enhancement Program
  • Schneider Electric NA – Platforming Business Intelligence for Continuous Improvement
  • Scientific Games – Innovative Production Technology for the Lottery Instant Scratch Game Global Market
  • Swinburne University of Technology – Industry 4.0 SME Manufacturing Business Readiness Program in Partnership with Cablex
  • Zebra Technologies Corporation – Lean Six Sigma 4.0 Business Process Optimization

Sustainability and the Circular Economy

 

WINNER: Intertape Polymer Group – Sealing the Promise of a Greener Future: Sustainability Scaling

  • Benchmark – Benchmark’s 2023 Environmental Challenge
  • The Boeing Company – Reusable Packaging for Regulated Materials Distribution
  • Celanese – Carbon Capture and Utilization (CCU) to Chemicals
  • Corteva Agriscience – Sustainable Manufacturing Process for the Launch of ADAVELT™ Active
  • Dow Inc. – Dow’s Journey to a Sustainable Supply Chain
  • Flex – A Circular Economy Ecosystem Transforms E-Waste
  • The Greenbrier Companies – High-Strength Steel Gondola™
  • Hologic Costa Rica – Reduction in the Use of Ethylene Oxide for Sterilization Process
  • Jabil – Facing China’s Energy Crunch, Jabil Invests in Renewable Energy
  • Maxion Structural Components – Maxion Structural Components Innovates Developing a Low-Cure Powder Paint to Reduce CO2 Emissions
  • Pure & Gentle – Beyond Green: Pure & Gentle’s Sustainability Mission
  • Race Winning Brands – How Race Winning Brands Leveraged Gravity to Reduce its Cost and Emissions
  • Saint-Gobain Life Sciences – Targeting Scope 3 Emissions and Improving Sustainability at Saint-Gobain Beaverton
  • Saudi Aramco – Rejected Gas Recovery System for Gas Oil Separation Plants (Two Inventions)
  • Whirlpool Corporation – Sustainable Manufacturing Operations
  • Winnebago Industries – Winnebago eRV2
  • Winnebago Industries – Winnebago Zero Waste To Landfill

Transformational Business Cultures

 

WINNER: Humtown Products – Transforming Business Cultures Through the Industrial Athlete Operating System

  • Cooley Group – Leveraging M4.0 to Build Resilient Manufacturing
  • Enersys – Enersys Operations System: Boosting Accountability, Skills, and Servant Leadership
  • Hologic Costa Rica – Operative Training Process to Improve Culture Development and Engagement
  • IBM Corporation – Citizen Co-Create Framework Revolutionizing the Transformation Landscape
  • Intertape Polymer Group – Manufacturing Momentum: Cultivating Human Action through M4.0 Leadership and an Innovative Digital Culture in Plant Operations – Intertape Polymer Group Tremonton
  • Maxion Structural Components – Maxion Structural Components Cruzeiro Empowers Employees to Improve Digital Transformation Culture
  • Modine – Modine Drives Transformation and Sustainable Growth through 80/20
  • ResMed Ltd. – Empowering Transformation through Data Citizens and Analytics
  • Saint-Gobain North America/CertainTeed – Driving Culture through Employee Experience at CertainTeed Oxford
  • Samuel, Son & Co., Limited – Become a More Agile Organization
  • Vertex Pharmaceuticals – Accelerating People Development at Vertex Pharmaceuticals Through Learning Sprints
  • Winnebago Industries – COE Approach to Transforming Operational Excellence

Individual Winners and Finalists

Digital Transformation Leadership

 

WINNER: Julian Tan, IBM

  • Ibrahim Al-Syed, Celanese
  • Jerh Collins, Moderna
  • Robert Drexl, Greene Tweed
  • John Dyck, CESMII, The Smart Manufacturing Institute
  • Abhishek Jani, EnerSys
  • Greg Maes, CompoSecure
  • Igor Simões, Iochpe-Maxion SA
  • Liam Tully, ResMed Ltd.
  • Marcease Warren, Sentry Equipment
  • Michal Wierzchowski, Jabil
  • Clay Wilker, Northrop Grumman Corporation

Next-Generation Leadership

 

WINNERS:
Angela Accurso, MxD
Marlon Gonzalez, IBM

  • Matthew Allison, General Motors
  • Mohammed Almuhainy, Saudi Aramco (South Ghawar Producing Department)
  • Ana Carolina Ibarra Diaz, General Motors San Luis Potosí
  • Shahab Ghandi, Peterbilt Motors
  • Mateusz Koziol, IBM
  • Megan McCarthy, General Motors
  • Jonathan Miller, Saint-Gobain
  • Thadeus Nocera, General Motors
  • Mackenzie Sievers, GM Defense
  • Catherine Tea, Dow Inc.
  • Ben Thieme, Saint-Gobain ADFORS

Manufacturing in 2030 Award

  • AB InBev: Next-Level Maintenance Now in Your Hands: The Maintenance Execution (MAX) App
  • Cooley Group: M4.0-Integrated Environment Empowers Team to Drive Change
  • Intel: An AI-Based Solution for Real-Time Inferencing of Semiconductor Wafer Probing Process
  • Maxion Wheels: Maxion Wheels Explores New Process Design Frontiers through Advanced Simulation, High-Performance Computing and Top-Notch Data Science
  • MxD: MxD Sensor Kit
  • Nexteer Automotive: Manufacturing and Engineering SourcePro

Partners in Collaborative Innovation

  • Armanino LLP
  • BDO USA
  • Dassault Systèmes
  • ECI Software Solutions
  • Epicor Software
  • Ernst & Young LLP
  • FORCAM Inc.
  • Gravity Climate
  • International Academy of Automation Engineering (IAAE)
  • L2L
  • LeanDNA
  • NTT DATA
  • Oracle
  • Pico MES
  • PTC
  • Rootstock Software
  • Swinburne University of Technology
  • Tim Figley Consulting