Manufacturer of the Year

Arizona Manufacturers Council event honors innovators, discusses important issues facing sector

Leaders in the field of manufacturing from across the state gathered at the Arizona Biltmore last Thursday for the Arizona Manufacturers Council’s Awards and Summit event. The event featured panel discussions and guest speakers from the industry and culminated with the Manufacturer of the Year awards ceremony recognizing those companies that have made significant positive contributions to the manufacturing and the broader state economy.

In his opening remarks, AMC Chairman Mark Gaspers congratulated the companies represented at the event for their resiliency during the pandemic and highlighted recent significant investments, including by Intel, which is in the midst of a $20 billion expansion in Chandler.

Workforce development in focus

A panel on the state’s manufacturing sector workforce featured Darcy Renfro, the chief workforce and economic development officer for Maricopa County Community College District; Kolu Wilson, workforce program deputy administrator for the Arizona Office of Economic Opportunity; Dave Garfano, executive director of the Arizona Manufacturing Extension Partnership; and was moderated by Dawn Grove, general counsel at Karsten Manufacturing and the past chair of the Arizona Chamber of Commerce & Industry and previous chair of the AMC.

The main focus of the panel was the work that various businesses and community colleges were putting in to prepare young people for the workforce. One such example is Drive 48, a program at Central Arizona College that trains prospective workers for hands-on manufacturing jobs with a special focus on advanced automotive manufacturing, which is essential for the new Lucid electric vehicle plant in Casa Grande.

The panelists were in agreement that there are many programs for both workers and businesses to take advantage of to obtain additional training and recruit new skilled workers.

Sober assessment from U.S. Rep. David Schweikert

Arizona Chamber President and CEO Danny Seiden interviewed Arizona United States Rep. David Schweikert, who spoke about the activity on Capitol Hill surrounding President Joe Biden’s attempts to pass both a bipartisan infrastructure bill and a multi-trillion-dollar social spending package known as Build Back Better, which contains a litany of tax increases that would harm job creators.

Schweikert also urged businesses to become more involved in the issues that are pertinent to their success saying that he’s concerned “business has lost its voice.”

Schweikert hit an optimistic tone, however, on the rate of life changing innovations hitting the market.  He spoke about the possibility of a cure for Type 2 diabetes in the near future saying that it “could be the best thing our society does.”

Gov. Ducey touts economic achievements

Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey closed out the summit portion of the program. “We’ve run a marathon in our state,” Ducey said referring to Arizona’s experience in the pandemic.

The governor said the economy is rebounding to a point where it’s surpassing the pre-Covid economy.

Ducey took the opportunity to remind the audience of the things that set Arizona apart from other states. He touted his administration’s work to push back against “anti-growth policies” that slow economic growth. Arizona, he said, can go toe-to-toe with other states such as Texas and Colorado in winning new job investments.

The event concluded with an awards ceremony that honored state businesses and leaders for everything from innovation and sustainability to economic contributions. The honorees were:

Original Chamber Business News Article HERE

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Arizona’s standout leaders for manufacturing receive awards

Individuals and companies that stand out as shining role models in the manufacturing sector were recognized for their accomplishments at the 2020 Arizona Manufacturing Summit and awards ceremony Friday. The event was hosted by the Arizona Manufacturers Council (AMC) and the Arizona Chamber of Commerce & Industry.

Seven awards were given to manufacturing champions in innovation, excellence, sustainability, and leadership. Featured speakers also talked about the successes over the past year and challenges ahead including racial inequity from the classroom to the boardroom.

This year’s event was not only about recognizing the billions of dollars in revenues manufacturers brought to the state but their efforts during the pandemic, said Mark Gaspers, AMC chairman.

“We want to celebrate their innovation amidst our current challenges and their contributions to the state,” Gaspers said.

High-paying manufacturing jobs on the rise

Glenn Hamer, president and CEO of the Arizona Chamber, said the manufacturing industry has been a major contributor to Arizona’s economic success over the past year. Today, the industry employs about 177,000 workers statewide and pumps about $30 billion annually into the economy.

“We are at a point of time now, because of the good work of the Arizona Manufacturers Council, Governor Doug Ducey, and our friends at the state Legislature, where we have more manufacturing jobs in Arizona than construction jobs,” Hamer said.

2020 Award winners 

Seven companies and three individuals received awards this year:

• Large Manufacturer of the Year: Raytheon Technologies

Raytheon is Southern Arizona’s largest employer, serving customers in the commercial aerospace and defense industries. Founded in 1922, the company has become one of the largest aerospace and defense manufacturers in the world. Over the years, it has won numerous awards for its innovative technology solutions and world-class engineering teams.

• Medium Manufacturer of the Year: Mercury Systems 

Mercury Systems has earned a reputation as the leader in making trusted, secure mission-critical technologies more accessible to the aerospace and defense industries. The company’s innovative solutions power more than 300 critical aerospace and defense programs. Mercury established a $1 million relief fund for employees impacted by the pandemic.

• Small Manufacturer of the Year: Service Wire Co. 

Service Wire Co. is a second-generation, family-owned wire and cable manufacturer started in  1968. Today, its nationwide network of distributors and advanced distribution capabilities enable them to meet and exceed the often complex needs of industrial, commercial, utility, pump, irrigation, and transit customers throughout North America and the world.

• Legislator of the Year: State Representative Ben Toma

Representative Toma, chair of the House Ways and Means Committee, received the award for his “consistent and firm commitment to wise tax and regulatory policy to spur innovation and job creation.”  In 2020, Rep. Toma led passage of House Bill 2771, which revised and extended tax credits including a tax credit to incentivize businesses to relocate or expand manufacturing facilities in Arizona, including manufacturing related research and development.

• Advocates of the Year: Michael Denby and Eric Massey of Arizona Public Service

Denby, corporate environmental senior policy advisor for APS, and Massey, APS’ director for Environment and Water Resource Management, worked to advance policies in the water, energy, air quality, natural resources, and environmental spaces that encourage job growth and innovation while ensuring that the business community is part of the solution to promote wise environmental stewardship.

• Excellence in Sustainability: Swire Coca-Cola 

With revenues of $2 billion, Swire Coca-Cola produces, sells and distributes Coca-Cola and other beverages in 13 states across the American West. This year, Swire launched its Sustainable Development 2030 goals to increase recycled content in its packaging, decrease the amount of water it uses, and reduce its carbon emissions by converting to renewable energy. In response to Covid-19, Swire donated over 66,000 liters of water to the Navajo Nation.

• Excellence in Innovation: VB Cosmetics

VB Cosmetics conducts research and development, custom formulation, and private labeling and sale of cosmetics and personal care products including a transformational technology called Dazzle Dry, a quick-dry nail polish system. During COVID-19, the company has manufactured Personal Protective Equipment around the state for the Salvation Army.

• Lifetime Achievement Award: Dawn Grove

Grove was recognized for her tireless work on behalf of manufacturers, Arizona workers and the broader community. She is corporate counsel for Karsten Manufacturing Corporation, the parent company of PING. Grove is chair of the Workforce Arizona Council and serves on the boards of the Arizona Commerce Authority, National Association of Manufacturers and Karsten.

Two leading national figures spoke at the event  

Two national figures also spoke at the event.

Keynote speaker was Rick Wade, senior vice president of strategic alliances and outreach for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Wade discussed an intensive nationwide effort to improve racial equity in business and industry from the production floor to the board room.

Wade called on industry to continue to come together to reduce gaps in equity.

“We have made tremendous progress but we have a lot of work to do with regards to equality and opportunity,” he said.

Wade, who grew up in rural South Carolina in the 1960s when many schools were still segregated, said he was able to overcome racial barriers. But Black citizens continue to be left behind today, he said. They are more likely to be unemployed, incarcerated and poor.

Improving diversity and inclusion in business is more than a “moral imperative,” it’s also an economic one, he said. Research shows diversity increases company profits, and that if gaps in racial inequity were eliminated, the nation’s GDP would gain about $8 trillion, Wade said.

Original Chamber Business News article here.

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2022 Environmental and Sustainability Summit

Event Description:

More details coming soon!

Hosted by the Arizona Manufacturers Council, this event includes a day-long summit featuring panelists and presentations relating specifically to environmental policy and sustainability best practices. Speakers and attendees include manufacturers, business leaders and government officials. The 2022 event will take place in Flagstaff, Arizona on July 28—29.

Location:

139 Drury Inn & Suites Flagstaff
300 South Milton Road
Flagstaff, AZ 86001
Telephone: (928) 773-4900
www.druryhotels.com

Book your hotel room HERE

Date/Time Information:

July 28 – 29, 2022

Fees/Admission:

Member: $300.00
General: $450.00
Presenting Sponsor: $10,000
Summit Sponsor: $5,000
Reception/Dinner Sponsor: $5,000
Sustainability Sponsor: $2,500
Eco Sponsor: $1,500

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Interface Awarded Arizona Manufacturers Council 2019 Manufacturer of the Year

It is with great honor that Interface is recognized in the Outstanding Small Manufacturer category for Quality Products and Involvement in Community by the Arizona Manufacturers Council as recipients of the “2019 Manufacturer of the Year” award.

Interface received the award at a gala luncheon held at the Arizona Biltmore on October 3, 2019. The annual award program recognizes the best companies in the state that exemplify how manufacturing betters their local communities and the state of Arizona.

“Interface takes great pride in the role we play in manufacturing excellence, and our entire company is honored to have received this distinguished award,” said Joel Strom, CEO of Interface. “We are especially pleased because as the builders and makers of precision force measurement solutions, the award recognizes Interface for the three aspects of our business we pride ourselves on: quality products, continued innovation, and involvement in our community.”

The Arizona Manufacturers Council plays a vital role in the state as the voice of Arizona manufacturing. They are associated with the National Association of Manufacturers and work tirelessly to promote and enhance a positive business climate for manufacturing and related industries in Arizona.

“Interface’s depth of expertise of breadth of products serves as a shining example in the manufacturing sector,” said Alison Gilbreath, executive director, Arizona Manufacturers Council. “We’re delighted to have presented Interface with this year’s well-deserved award and are confident they will continue to be a best-in-class example of what it means to successfully compete in the global economy and create jobs in Arizona.”

Interface is well known for premium accuracy and reliability when it comes to force measurement solutions. In the last 12 months, Interface launched one of its most disruptive and innovative solutions to date, the AxialTQ™ Wireless Rotary Torque Transducer and expanded its Wireless Telemetry System (WTS) for use in the automotive market. In the area of community involvement, the company introduced the Interface University Program to provide discounted products, services, and educational materials to innovators and educators. Interface is also continuing its involvement in the local STEM community, the Arizona Science and Engineering Fair and local Arizona universities.

Original article here. 

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Honoring Arizona manufacturers

On October 3rd, the Arizona Manufacturers Council (AMC) hosted the 2019 Arizona Manufacturing Summit, which featured keynote speakers in the industry and concluded with an awards ceremony honoring standout leaders in manufacturing.

In her opening remarks, AMC Chair Dawn Grove highlighted the many manufacturing firms making waves in the state and recognized others for their creation of thousands of jobs, including Intel, Raytheon, Nikola and more…

READ THE FULL ARTICLE

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Arizona Manufacturer of the Year Awards: 2018 Winners

Each year, the Arizona Manufacturers Council recognizes creators and innovators of all sizes and industries. This year’s award recipients represent the very best of the Arizona manufacturing community, and exemplify how manufacturing betters its communities and betters the state.

Congratulations to the 2018 Manufacturers of the Year!

Outstanding Large Manufacturer of the Year: The Boeing Company

Outstanding Medium Manufacturer of the Year: TYR Tactical

Outstanding Small Manufacturer of the Year: Novembal

Excellence in Innovation: Moldworx

Excellence in Sustainability: Intel

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Arizona Manufacturers Council Manufacturing Summit and Awards to recognize state’s best manufacturers

Arizona Manufacturers Council Manufacturing Summit and Awards to recognize state’s best manufacturers

U.S. Senators John McCain and Jeff Flake special guests at luncheon

PHOENIX (October 20, 2016) – The Arizona Manufacturers Council will honor the achievements of Arizona’s outstanding manufacturers tomorrow, October 21, 2016 at the Arizona Manufacturing Summit and Awards Luncheon.

The Summit and luncheon, which will take place at the Arizona Biltmore in Phoenix, will also recognize two legislators who have served as advocates for manufacturing in the state.

Outstanding Large Manufacturer

Arizona’s Outstanding Large Manufacturer for 2016 is Sub-Zero, which manufactures technologically advanced solutions at its Phoenix and Goodyear facilities to meet virtually any home refrigeration need.

“Sub-Zero is honored to be recognized by the Arizona Manufacturers Council as the Large Manufacturer of the Year for 2016. For over 70 years, Sub-Zero has been the leading manufacturer of luxury appliances,” Sub-Zero Corporate Manager for Manufacturing Engineering Bill Lawrie said. “Our Goodyear facility, which is currently completing a 260,000 square-foot expansion, produces over 50 percent of all Sub-Zero products built. We are delighted to see manufacturing grow in Goodyear, the West Valley and Arizona and are proud to join the elite group of past winners of this award.”

Outstanding Small/Medium Manufacturer

Pivot Manufacturing will be honored by the AMC as Arizona’s 2016 Outstanding Small/Medium Manufacturer.

Pivot, located in Phoenix, provides machining and mechanical assembly operations for various industries including defense, aerospace, commercial electronics and semiconductors.

“Pivot is thrilled to be recognized by the AMC as one of the state’s outstanding manufacturers,” Pivot President Steve Macias said. “Throughout our company’s history, we’ve worked hard day in and day out to meet our customers’ needs with the finest machined parts and assemblies, while delivering outstanding service. We share in and applaud the AMC’s support of Arizona’s manufacturing community and we look forward to celebrating our entire sector with our fellow manufacturing leaders.”

Additional awards recognizing manufacturing excellence

Excellence in Sustainability: Honeywell International, Inc.

“We take our commitment to environmental stewardship seriously at Honeywell, so we couldn’t be more appreciative of this recognition from the Arizona Manufacturers Council,” Scott Harczynski, vice president for health, safety, environment & facilities at Honeywell Aerospace said. “Our commitment to be more efficient and responsible is reflected in the extensive work we do to make our businesses more environmentally friendly, safer, and more sustainable. We thank the AMC for this award as we continue to develop technologies that expand the sustainable capacity of our world.”

Excellence in Innovation: Intel, Corp.

“Intel is proud to be named the 2016 Manufacturer of the Year for Excellence in Innovation. As an IoT leader, Intel is committed to driving innovation across all market sectors, with a significant focus on transportation, retail, and manufacturing,” Doug Davis, Intel Corp.’s senior vice president and general manager of the Internet of Things (IoT) Group said. “We are collaborating with policymakers, automakers, suppliers, academia, and cities worldwide – utilizing the IoT to accelerate innovation.”

Awards recognizing legislative advocacy on behalf of manufacturing

State Senator of the Year: Sen. Sylvia Allen

State Representative of the Year: Rep. Frank Pratt

“I congratulate all of our award winners for their accomplishments and valuable contributions to Arizona’s manufacturing community,” Arizona Manufacturers Council Chairwoman Dawn Grove said. “All of our state’s manufacturers, large and small, play a leading role in the advancement of our state. I can’t think of a better way to celebrate Manufacturing Month than to honor Arizona’s creators, innovators and advocates at this special event.”

U.S. Senators John McCain and Jeff Flake to speak at awards luncheon

Arizona’s United States senators, John McCain and Jeff Flake, will be special guests at the luncheon, offering their insight into the issues at a federal level impacting manufacturing in our state and country.

WHAT:  Arizona Manufacturers Council Manufacturing Summit and Awards

WHEN:  Friday, Oct. 21st

9:00 AM – 11:00 AM Summit featuring panel discussions and presentations

11:45 AM Awards luncheon with Senators McCain & Flake

WHERE: Arizona Biltmore, 2400 E. Missouri, Phoenix

MEDIA RSVP to Garrick Taylor at gtaylor@azchamber.com. A mult box will be available.

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It’s Manufacturing Month. Here are five things you need to know.

  by Dawn Grove

October 6, 2016

Commentary from a manufacturing perspective

It’s October,which means it’s the season for the annual celebration of manufacturing. For the Arizona Manufacturers Council, this is our time to shine.

Think of this time of year as the annual manufacturing checkup. We get to remind policymakers why Arizona should continue to advance public policy that encourages manufacturing, discuss how we can attract more of these good-paying job creators, and make the case as to why we should grow a sector that is on the leading edge of technological innovation. We also showcase our manufacturing facilities, share best practices and make the connections that strengthen all of us.

Here are five things you need to know about manufacturing and Manufacturing Month.

1)      Manufacturing means jobs. Manufacturing employs 12.3 million Americans and over 150,000 Arizonans. Our state’s total manufacturing output is $23.77 billion, according to the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM). And manufacturing means good, career track jobs. NAM reports manufacturing jobs in Arizona pay over 75 percent above Arizona’s average annual compensation. Plus, every manufacturing job births additional service and supplier jobs, and innovation, research and development eventually follow manufacturing wherever it goes.

Next time someone tells you that America’s best manufacturing days are behind it, point to the tremendously positive impact manufacturing is making on Arizona.

2)    Arizona manufacturing is world class. What does manufacturing look like in Arizona? Forget the caricature of sparks flying on a grimy shop floor. Manufacturing in Arizona today is defined by technologically advanced, environmentally conscious, world-class companies turning out products that improve the lives of people around the world.

Think of high tech manufacturers like Intel in Chandler, which employs nearly 11,000 Arizonans who are making products that will define our future. Or our aerospace and defense manufacturers like Boeing or Raytheon, who are equipping our men and women in uniform with the tools to ensure they emerge victorious in the toughest battles and come home safely. And I’m incredibly proud of Karsten Manufacturing and PING, which makes premium, custom fit golf equipment. Our clubs are in the hands of tournament-winning professionals and weekend duffers alike, in each case helping golfers putt, chip and drive their best.

3)      We’re preparing our talent pipeline for tomorrow’s jobs. The Arizona Manufacturers Council was strongly supportive of the Legislature’s and Governor Doug Ducey’s work in the 2016 legislative session to bolster funding for career and technical education, otherwise known as CTE.

States are in a pitched battle for good-paying manufacturing jobs. If we’re going to win the jobs of tomorrow’s economy, we must grow the talent pipeline to meet employers’ needs. That’s why CTE, which prepares high-school students with the skills and credentials they need to be successful in fields like manufacturing, is so critical.

CTE also sets the stage for students to move on to even more advanced training. According to a report from Georgetown University’s Center on Education and the Workforce, two-thirds of tomorrow’s jobs will require some sort of post-12th grade industry certification or credential. That doesn’t necessarily mean a bachelor’s degree, but it does mean further education. To that end, Governor Ducey recently launched Achieve60 AZ, which seeks to increase to 60 percent (from the current 42 percent) the number of Arizonans with post-high school training. This is the right move at the right time for Arizona’s economy.

4)  Manufacturing thrives when we cut red tape. An onerous regulatory environment negatively affects all businesses, but it’s like kryptonite to our manufacturing heroes.

Those of us in manufacturing are dealing with the same federal regulations that all job creators are confronting: anti-employer labor rules, mandates affecting wages and employee leave that discourage hiring, and a legal environment that forces many to spend more time worrying about lawsuits than growing their businesses.

But Arizonans are disproportionately affected by environmental regulations coming from Washington, D.C. Beltway bureaucrats are issuing rules that, in the name of improving air and water quality, are thwarting job creation while having almost no positive effect on theenvironment. Thankfully, leaders like Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich are standing up to Washington’s regulatory overreach.

5)  October 21, 2016 is our Manufacturer of the Year Summit and Awards Event. I hope we’ll see you Oct. 21 at the Arizona Biltmore for the AMC’s annual Manufacturer of the Year event.

This year we’re proud to welcome both Senator John McCain and Senator Jeff Flake, who will give us an inside look at what’s happening on Capitol Hill and how what’s happening at a federal level affects Arizona’s manufacturing sector. We’ll also have discussions on preparing Arizona’s workforce for the careers of tomorrow, how recent changes in Internet governance may affect manufacturers, and honor our large and small manufacturer winners for innovation, sustainability and overall excellence.

Register online today. I look forward to seeing you there.

There are many great events occurring around the state for Manufacturing Month. Watchtwitter.com/AZManufacturing or contact Christine Martin to find a tour and join in on the action.

Dawn Grove is Corporate Counsel for Karsten Manufacturing Corporation, parent company of PING, Inc. and the Chairman of the Arizona Manufacturers Council.

The Arizona Manufacturers Council within the Arizona Chamber is the state affiliate of the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM). For more on manufacturing and NAM, visit www.nam.org.

The Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry is committed to advancing Arizona’s competitive position in the global economy by advocating free-market policies that stimulate economic growth and prosperity for all Arizonans. For more information visit www.azchamber.com.

 
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