Centralina WDB and Charlotte Business Journal Team Up to Recognize Local Manufacturers

The Centralina Workforce Development Board will join the Charlotte Business Journal (CBJ) and the Centralina Economic Development Commission to present the 2014 Advanced Manufacturing Awards to recognize and celebrate process excellence,leadership and collaboration in Advanced Manufacturing displayed in our region during 2013.

The awards luncheon will be held in March 2014.

As a Supporting Sponsor for the awards,the Centralina Workforce Development Board encourages any business that is engaged in advanced manufacturing to consider submitting an application or nomination for these awards.

There are two ways to participate in the Advanced Manufacturing Awards:

• Nominate a colleague or leading company to be recognized by your peers
• Compete as an organization and submit a process improvement project that was implemented in 2013

This year the award winners will be recognized at a special event in March 2014 and profiled in the Charlotte Business Journal. Read on for more information about the awards and instructions on how to nominate.

*All nominees must be able to attend the event in order to qualify.

NOMINATION CATEGORIES:

• General Excellence Categories
• Project Categories

These categories are intended to recognize individuals,groups and organizations that have exhibited best practices,innovative achievements and industry leadership in the field of Advanced Manufacturing.

*Nominations may be submitted for several categories. A new form must be submitted for each category.

NOTE: The eligibility and instructions to submit a nomination for the General Excellence Categories and the Project Categories are different. Please provide all requested information in order to qualify. Nomination forms submitted without proper eligibility requirements or requested information will be disqualified.

General Excellence Categories:

• Corporate Leadership (from a company with >500 employees): To recognize companies that have mastered progressive manufacturing disciplines and led by creative,out-of-the-box thinkers who visualize and guide organizations toward innovative ways of doing business. These companies function as a driving force,catalyzing the entire manufacturing industry to incorporate revamped and retooled ways of doing business while keeping technology aligned with business strategies. (Examples: Industry Leadership,Sustainability Leadership and Leadership Development). One winner will be recognized in this award category.

• Best Collaboration: To recognize entities that have demonstrated teamwork and partnership to enhance Advanced Manufacturing,or benefit the local community. (ex. STEMersion,Workforce Development Board partnerships,college or high school partnerships,non-profits). One winner will be recognized in this award category.

• Emerging Leader: Recognizes an employee of an advanced manufacturer who through demonstrated leadership and involvement has contributed to both the success of their organization and the improved welfare of the local community (giving back). One winner will be recognized in this award category.

• Student Achievement: Recognizes a high school or college student who is excelling both academically and in work performance while currently working in either an apprenticeship or Co-operative education capacity at an advanced manufacturer. One winner will be recognized in this award category.

NOMINATION ELIGIIBLITY (General Excellence Categories):

• Make sure to read the full descriptions of the award categories and take note of special requirements,such as company size for Corporate Leadership and Project Categories.

• Nominee must work at /operate a manufacturing facility in one of these counties: Alexander,Anson,Cabarrus,Catawba,Chester,Chesterfield,Cleveland,Gaston,Iredell,Lancaster,Lincoln,Mecklenburg,Rowan,Stanly,Union or York.

• All nominations must be acknowledged and endorsed by the nominee. (Note: Nominees will only be notified if they are selected as a finalist for this program. If the nominee is not selected,only the nominator will be informed.)

• Employees of sponsor companies will not be considered.

NOMINATION INSTRUCTIONS (General Excellence Categories):

• Fill out the online form below with as much detail as possible.

• Include a company biography and your company logo (.jpg,.gif or .eps file) with your submission. Do not submit any brochures,reports or other documents.

• The deadline to submit nominations and supplemental materials is Friday,January 3 at 5:00 p.m. We will not accept nominations that are not submitted through the online system.

Project Categories:
These categories are to recognize companies that have implemented process improvement projects which demonstrated best practices utilized during the 2013 calendar year.

• Best Process Improvement Project (from a company with <499 employees): This award will recognize businesses that implemented a process improvement project in their business during 2013. Applicants will be judged on their overall project implementation plan,the positive impact on the business,employee involvement and other outcomes. Up to three winners will be recognized in this category.

• Best Innovation Project (from a company with <499 employees): To recognize projects that drive innovation by using process improvement tools or methodology. Applicants will be judged on business impact,innovative process improvement tool usage or development of innovative process improvement tools,problem solving and other outcomes. Up to three winners will be recognized in this category.

• Best Green Process Project (from a company with <499 employees): To recognize projects that have demonstrated outstanding environmental stewardship in an advanced manufacturing environment. Applicants will be judged on the environmental impact,business impact and employee involvement,scope of project,sustainability and originality. Up to three winners will be recognized in this category.

PROJECT SUBMISSION ELIGIBILITY:

• Make sure to read the full descriptions of the project categories and take note of special requirements,such as company size.

• Competing companies must operate a manufacturing facility in one of these counties: Alexander,Anson,Cabarrus,Catawba,Chester,Chesterfield,Cleveland,Gaston,Iredell,Lancaster,Lincoln,Mecklenburg,Rowan,Stanly,Union or York.

• Sponsor companies will not be considered.

NOMINATION INSTRUCTIONS (Project Categories):

• Fill out the online form below with as much detail as possible.

• Include a company biography and your company logo (.jpg,.gif or .eps file) with your submission. Do not submit any brochures,reports or other documents.

• The deadline to submit nominations and supplemental materials is Friday,January 24 at 5:00 p.m. Nominations that are not submitted through the online system will not be accepted.

Submissions to both categories can be made at the Charlotte Business Journal.

For more information on the Centralina WDB involvement with the Advanced Manufacturing Awards event and how we serve businesses,please contact Vail Carter,Centralina WDB Business Services Coordinator,at (704) 348-2710 or vcarter@centralina.org.

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