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Innovation in Manufacturing Process, Sponsored by AOC
This award recognized a specific company who developed an innovative solution to enhance manufacturing. Processes that were eligible included open and closed molding, filament winding, pultrusion, cast polymer, matched metal die molding, or any manufacturing process used in the composites industry. Judges evaluated entries based on how well one company:

  1. Defined the condition or problem that inspired an innovative fix
  2. Creatively determined potential solutions
  3. Implemented one or more of these solutions to address the condition or problem
  4. Measured the results via quantifiable analysis

Innovation in Composites Engineering, Sponsored by Ashland
Good engineers solve serious problems. Nominees for this category were manufacturing, R&D, quality, test, or design engineers who came up with an innovative solution to a particularly obstinate challenge related to composites product development, design, manufacture, and/or testing.

Excellence in Community Stewardship, Sponsored by Composites One
Companies that have a positive and proactive influence on their communities should receive special recognition. Sponsorships for sports teams, education programs and outreaches to local schools, and community activism, are just some of the ways companies support communities. Judges evaluated entries based on how well one company:

  1. Defined its values and role in the community
  2. Creatively implemented community programs
  3. Generously affected the community it operates in and represents


Excellence as a Production Supervisor, Sponsored by Norac

Outstanding supervisors are the liaison between management and production employees. They have to keep the production line going and meet the output expectations of the company. They need technical insight and administrative skills. Their jobs are endless and they need to be recognized. Open to more than one winner, judges evaluated entries based on how the supervisor:

  1. Responded to specific responsibilities and constantly looks to improve the production process
  2. Used his or her skills to exceed the expectations of the company
  3. Determined and implemented solutions to specific concerns that enhance production in measurable terms


Excellence in Plant or Project Management, Sponsored by PLA
Plant or project management requires a special and diverse skill set. All personnel, production, and special tasks must be coordinated with schedule, quality control, and cost. This award defined the epitome of multi-tasking. Awarded to a team or an individual, judges will evaluate entries based on:

  1. Design of innovative management approach to a particular production project or issue
  2. Creative implementation of a new project or solution to current manufacturing issue
  3. Accurate tracking of quantifiable data that supports the efficiency of management plan


Excellence in Environmental, Health, and Safety Practices, Net Composites
Compliance to industry standards and regulations or to self-imposed environmental standards while running a business deserves special recognition. In this day and age, juggling these responsibilities requires special administrative skills as well as technical insight. Judges evaluated entries based on how well one company:

  1. Isolated and defined a specific concern or regulation that must be adhered to
  2. Creatively developed a plan to resolve the concern or regulatory mandate (emissions or noise reduction, scrap, recycling, etc …)
  3. Implemented the plan and quantified measurable results


Excellence as a Manufacturing Employee, Sponsored by Arkema

Superb manufacturing employees, those who go above and beyond and are on the front lines of keeping production going, deserve to be recognized. Open to more than one winner, judges evaluated entries based on how the employee:

  1. Took initiative and accepts challenges, responds to a specific need or series of needs
  2. Determined and assisted in implementation of solutions designed to make production more efficient and cost effective