The Huron Manufacturing Award Association (HMA) in conjunction with the County of Huron presented the first annual Manufacturing Excellence Awards at a gala dinner in the North Huron Wescast Community Complex on Nov. 22.

Twelve awards were presented in six different categories. The winners for the following categories were:
Youth Integration and Training Award - for three companies who best support training and youth integration in their business: R&R Machine and Tool Inc., CapProducts Ltd. and Volvo Construction Equipment.

Innovative Manufacturing Award - for the three companies who achieved best results by applying innovative manufacturing techniques: : EXI-PLAST Custom Moulding Ltd., Syfilco Ltd. and Dashwood Industries Ltd.

Innovative Product Award for the most innovative new product brought to market: Fibro Light and Miser Lighting Inc.

Corporate Citizenship Award for the three companies who made outstanding contributions to the community and environment, and the goals and activities of HMA: Barmy Tech, Andex Metal Products Ltd and Wescast Industries Inc. (Where there are three awards in a category, companies have been divided according to number of ' employees).

The Chairman's Award for Leadership was presented to Tony de Boer. He has been a dedicated private sector leader for economic development in Huron County. He has given countless hours of volunteer time to the South Huron Chamber of Commerce and, the HMA over the past decade. de Boer's legacy of service to the HMA began even before there was an HMA. In I998 he joined with fellow manufacturers to form the Huron Manufacturing Group.

In 1999 de Boer worked to help create a strategic plan with input from 100 per cent of the manufacturing businesses in Huron. His contribution of one-on-one interviews ensured the success of the plan. This strategic plan won the Royal Bank Economic Development Program Award in 2000. Under de Boer's leadership the Huron Manufacturing Association was incorporated in 2004.
The highlight of the evening was the presentation of the Huron County Manufacturer of the Year Award by warden Rob Morley to Volvo Construction Equipment. Volvo Construction Equipment launched a completely redesigned Volvo Motor Grader product family with seven new models early in 2006.

These graders have improved fuel economy with an 11 speed transmission giving more precise control over motor grader operation. They also implemented an innovative modular manufacturing and assembly process that enabled significant ergonomic and process improvements.

This new concept developed in Goderich has been applied throughout Volvo Construction Equipment worldwide.

The Huron Manufacturing Association's mission is to support local manufacturers in their efforts towards world-class manufacturing to promise the economic development of Huron County.