For questions about these rules, contact [email protected]

Project Entry Rules

  • Projects that reach the necessary scoring threshold will be named as award finalists. Scoring thresholds are determined annually based on the judges’ average scores. The highest scoring entry in each category will be named the Category Winner. All finalists and winners will be recognized at the Manufacturing Leadership Awards Gala, June 18, 2025, in Marco Island, FL.
  • A project must have reached a significant development or deployment milestone within the previous year starting with the season entry period to be eligible for the current awards season. For example, for the 2025 awards, a project should have been launched, scaled, or deployed sometime after September 1, 2023.
  • Projects that have been awarded in prior seasons are not eligible for entry.
  • Note that only projects directly tied to manufacturing operations are qualified for the Manufacturing Leadership Awards. Services and products (such as software, equipment, or other technology) are not eligible for the awards as a standalone entry, but vendors of manufacturing software, equipment, or technology are encouraged to develop entries with their manufacturing customers and clients that demonstrate the manufacturer’s achievements in operational performance. If that entry is selected as a finalist, the software, equipment, or technology vendor that submitted the nomination will be recognized with a Partner in Collaborative Innovation award.
  • Final determination on the appropriate category for project entries is determined by the Manufacturing Leadership Council editorial team. Entrants will be contacted if the category under which they submitted their entry is changed.
  • Each manufacturing enterprise may submit up to five (5) project entries and may be a finalist for no more than three (3) project awards per season. If the number of nominations received for a single enterprise exceeds the designated limit, all entrants will be contacted as a group to make a final determination on which entries to submit to the judges’ panel. If the excess number of entries includes nominations from technology/consulting firms or external PR/marketing firms, final decision on which entries to submit will lie with the manufacturing company. Refunds will be issued for withdrawn entries.

Individual Entry Rules

  • Individual nominations that reach the necessary scoring threshold will be named as award finalists. Scoring thresholds are determined annually based on the judges’ average scores. The highest scoring individual in each category will be named the Category Winner. All finalists and winners will be recognized at the Manufacturing Leadership Awards Gala, June 18, 2025, in Marco Island, FL.
  • Individuals who are nominated for awards in any category must have a job role that is directly tied to manufacturing operations. New for the 2025 season, technology and consulting companies are now eligible to enter own executive leaders for awards, but their role must tie directly to manufacturing operations. Marketing, business development, and similar roles are not eligible.
  • For the 2025 Next-Generation Leadership category, entrants must be age 30 or younger as of December 31, 2024. The Digital Transformation Leadership and Women in Manufacturing 4.0 categories are open to individuals of any age but are intended for professionals with extensive experience in a leadership role.
  • Each enterprise is limited to three (3) individual nominations per category. Technology and consulting partners nominating their manufacturing clients are limited to one (1) individual per manufacturing client organization.
  • Individuals who have been awarded in prior seasons are not eligible for entry in the same category where they were previously recognized but are welcome to be nominated in a different individual category. (For example, a prior Next-Generation Leadership finalist or winner is eligible for entry in the Digital Transformation Leadership or Women in Manufacturing 4.0 category.)
  • Each individual may be nominated in no more than one (1) category annually.
  • Limit of one (1) individual per nomination.

Technology and Consulting Partners and PR/Marketing/Communication Firms

  • If a technology/consulting partner-submitted nomination on behalf of a manufacturer is selected as a finalist, the partner will be recognized with a Partner in Collaborative Innovation award.
  • Technology/consulting partners and external PR/marketing/communications firms making nominations for their clients must include direct contact information for individuals at the manufacturing company on all entry forms. General email inboxes and/or general business (main switchboard) phone numbers will not be accepted. Entries that omit this information will be automatically disqualified with no refund for entry fees.
  • For entries submitted by technology/consulting partners or external PR/marketing/communications firms, the nominated manufacturing company or individual leader will be contacted to verify their awareness of and consent to the awards nomination. If that verification cannot be secured, the nomination will be automatically disqualified with no refund for entry fees.

Noncorporate Organizations and Institutions

New for the 2025 season, the Manufacturing Leadership Awards will welcome designated entries from noncorporate organizations and institutions, defined as a noncorporate entity such as a university, government organization, professional society, trade association, or similar. These will be accepted as standalone projects or nominations for an individual employed at the institution; projects for which the institution partnered with a manufacturer on a 50-50 basis; or as a project or individual nomination that the institution makes on behalf of a manufacturing company. Definitions for each are listed below.

  • Standalone Project/Individual Entries: This is for projects that an institution completed internally, or for nominating an individual who is an employee of that institution. Those projects and/or individuals are eligible for recognition in the same manner as those submitted by manufacturers.
  • Projects with Manufacturers (50-50 split): This is for projects that an institution completed with a manufacturer for which each organization should receive equal credit. Both entities will be recognized in the award category in which the project is nominated. To qualify for this type of entry, both organizations are required to have had a significant role in the project’s inception and deployment. (Note that entries of this type will only be accepted on a one institution to one manufacturer basis, for two organizations represented in total.)
  • Project or Individual Nominations Submitted on Behalf of a Manufacturer: This is for projects primarily completed by a manufacturer, or for individuals employed at a manufacturing company, that the institution submits on the manufacturer’s behalf, similar to a nomination completed by a technology and consulting partner or a PR and marketing firm. This category is an excellent way for professional societies or trade associations to recognize high-performing manufacturing members. If the project or individual is selected as a finalist, the noncorporate organization/institution will be recognized as a Partner in Collaborative Innovation.