Business Council of Alabama and Alabama Technology Network Announce 2023 Manufacturer of the Year Award Winners
MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The Business Council of Alabama (BCA) and the Alabama Technology Network (ATN) have unveiled the 2023 Manufacturer of the Year (MOTY) award recipients.
The prestigious awards honor Alabama’s manufacturers that exhibit excellence in leadership, performance, profitability, and workforce relations. An independent panel of judges selected winners based on performance in customer focus, employee commitment, operating excellence, continuous improvement, profitable growth, and investment in training and retraining.
Alabama Manufacturer of the Year awards are presented in three categories dependent on the number of employees of each nominee— small with 99 or fewer employees; medium with 100-399 employees; and large with 400 or greater employees— ensuring that all levels of Alabama’s diverse manufacturing industry are represented.
“Manufacturing plays a pivotal role in shaping Alabama’s business climate and economic future. It’s not just about producing Made-In-Alabama products; it’s about creating jobs, fostering innovation, and driving economic growth,” said BCA President and CEO Helena Duncan. “The Manufacturer of the Year awards celebrate the spirit of excellence that defines our state’s manufacturers and each company’s continued impact on its community. BCA is honored to recognize such an impressive group of businesses.”
“Alabama Technology Network is proud to stand alongside BCA to celebrate the manufacturers that call Alabama home,” said Executive Director of ATN, Keith Phillips. “With over 270,000 employees across the state, manufacturers continue to lay the foundation of the workforce by offering quality, high-skilled jobs to Alabamians.”
The Manufacturer of the Year awards have continued to recognize the state’s top manufacturers for over 20 years. These awards have grown into an annual celebration, drawing the attendance of Alabama dignitaries and distinguished manufacturing leaders in the state.
Recipients of the 24th annual Manufacturer of the Year awards were celebrated for their commitment to excellence in Montgomery today. Alabama State Treasurer Young Boozer joined the ceremony to promote the accomplishments of Alabama’s industry leaders.
The program coincides with National Manufacturing Month as a testament to the robust and vital contribution manufacturers make to the state of Alabama, the United States, and ultimately the world.
Gov. Kay Ivey signed a proclamation declaring Oct. 6 as Manufacturing Day in Alabama.
This year’s award winners are as follows:
Small Manufacturer of the Year: Johnson Labs
Transitioning from a small family-owned business with four employees to a manufacturing facility that formulates products and co-packs for other companies, Johnson Labs of Troy has continually sought to grow and improve. Currently producing cleaning, outdoors, and agricultural products, Johnson Labs has created over 100 different formulas over the last 34 years. Through consistent training, Johnson Labs has sought to grow in size and production, turning goals into a reality and dreams into their standard.
Medium Manufacturer of the Year: SPOC Automation
Part of a family of innovative technology companies with deep expertise in power conversion electronics, SPOC Automation, automates critical processes to significantly reduce the energy used to produce oil and gas. The unique culture at SPOC fosters the team’s ingenuity, leading to groundbreaking solutions that push past the limits of today’s technology. With more than 75,000 in the field, SPOC Automations’ products are installed throughout the US and the world, with each product being designed, engineered, and manufactured in Trussville. Its impact, however, reaches far beyond Alabama – SPOC Automation is reshaping how the world produces and uses energy.
Large Manufacturer of the Year: Outokumpu Stainless USA
Since 2012, Outokumpu Stainless USA has had operations in Calvert, producing high-quality, sustainable stainless steel. With the most technically advanced stainless steel mill in the United States, Outokumpu offers a comprehensive product portfolio combined with industry-leading technical support and services. This state-of-the-art facility boasts an optimal production flow using the most progressive steel-making technologies available. Outokumpu’s core principles include safety, sustainability, and growth from productivity – which were certainly highlighted in 2022 as the company finished strong with the best results in company history and the cleanest steel in the United States.
The 2023 Alabama Manufacturer of the Year Award finalists in alphabetical order are below:
2a USA, Inc.
BF Goodrich Tuscaloosa Manufacturing
Ecovery, LLC
Goat Island Craft Brewing LLC
Golden State Foods Corporation
Induron Coatings, LLC
Johnson Labs Inc.
Outokumpu Stainless USA
PGI Steel
Southeastern Extrusion & Tool, Inc.
Southwire Company, LLC
SPOC Automation
TASUS
Tenax Corporation
The Business Council of Alabama is Alabama’s foremost voice for business. The BCA is a non-partisan, statewide business association representing the interests and concerns of nearly 1 million working Alabamians through its member companies and its partnership with the Chamber of Commerce Association of Alabama. The BCA is Alabama’s exclusive affiliate to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the National Association of Manufacturers.