2018 Manufacturers’ Awards Banquet

November 15, 2018 in Manufacturing Events, Posts, SVAM, Uncategorized by

The Southwest Virginia Alliance for Manufacturing hosted its sixth annual Manufacturers’ Awards Banquet in connection with National Manufacturing Day. Over one hundred and fifty business, government and community leaders from all across Southwest Virginia gathered at the Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center on Thursday, October 4th, to celebrate manufacturing and its achievements over the past year.

This year SVAM invited Bill Donohue, President of Virginia’s GENEDGE ALLIANCE, to join us for the evening as our keynote speaker.  Mr. Donohue’s address was entitled “Industry 4.0 – How to Digitally Transform Your Business.” He discussed the nine digital technologies that make up Industry 4.0 including: advanced robotics, additive manufacturing, augmented reality, simulation, horizontal/vertical integration, industrial internet, the cloud, cyber security, and big data and analytics. Mr. Donohue talked about the current applications of each of these topics and how they could be utilized in the future.

The focal point of the dinner was to award manufacturers – providing recognition to their success and the various ways they positively impact the community. Six manufacturers from all across Southwest Virginia received awards. The Environmental Excellence Award was presented to Universal Fibers of Bristol, Virginia. The Innovations in Manufacturing Award was presented to Electro-Mechanical Corporation of Bristol, Virginia. The Excellence in Safety Award was presented to Tempur Sealy of Duffield, Virginia. The Community Impact Award was presented to Universal Fibers of Bristol, Virginia. and the Manufacturer of the Year Award was presented to Scholle IPN Packaging of Chilhowie, Virginia. This year a new community nominated award was added. The Community Choice Award was presented to Utility Trailer of Atkins, Virginia.

Quadrant EPP, located in Wytheville, Virginia donated logo imprinted tote bags to serve as favors for the dinner.

SVAM would like to thank its sponsors for this event: The Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center, Virginia Economic Development Partnership, United Way of Southwest Virginia, The Manufacturing Technology Center, Neikirk Photography, GENEDGE, SWCC PTAC, The New River/Mount Rogers Workforce Development Board, and The Southwestern Virginia Technology Council.