Volusia Manufacturers Association Hosts 29th Annual Manufacturing Awards Banquet Honoring Florida’s Volusia and Flagler County Manufacturers

Released on: October 7, 2009, 4:53 am
Author: Volusia Manufacturers Association
Industry: Small Business

Volusia Manufacturers Association is hosting the 2009 Annual Manufacturers Award Ceremony on October 22 to Award Volusia and Flagler County Manufacturers for Excellence in Manufacturing. Associate Member Awards will be presented to Non-Manufacturing Members who made large contributions to the VMA and Manufacturing.

Volusia Manufacturers Association (VMA) is hosting its Annual Awards Banquet this month. Each year the Volusia Manufacturers Association honors the best of the best of its Volusia and Flagler County Manufacturer and Associate Members. This year the event will be held on October 22, 2009, from 5:30 – 8:00 P.M. at the Sunset Harbor Yacht Club in Daytona Beach, Florida. Music will be performed by A Family Affair.

Awards are presented each year for its Manufacturing Member that best represents Manufacturer of the Year. This year the Lou Fifer “Manufacturer of the Year” Award will be presented to AO Precision Manufacturing, LLC. AO Precision Manufacturing of Daytona Beach, FL, has been manufacturing products supporting M-16/ commercial and government firearms and kit programs, and various defense support parts related to firearms business. Its 42,000 square-foot facility is fully equipped and is capable of designing and constructing all varieties of special tooling, fixturing, and gauges needed for all degrees of complex products.

Awards are presented to the manufacturing members that have the “Best Practices” exemplifying exceptional practices in a particular business area and may involve any aspect of a manufacturer’s business endeavor. This year for the first time there will be two awards, two new categories, for this Best Practices award. Hudson Technologies is the winner of the Best Practices for Going Green, completing a two-year, $ 2 million conversion of its 115,000 square-foot facility promoting an environmentally-sound, aqueous cleaning system. They converted to greener lubricants as part of its new cleaning operation. Jayne Fifer, President/CEO of the VMA said, “Hudson Technologies worked hard to eliminate trichloroethylene which is an ozone depleting solvent, making strides to make their work environment safe for their employees, to make the community cleaner, and overall to make a better impact for our world.”

Second Award for “Best Practices” goes to Hudson Technologies for its Wellness Program. Hudson Technologies offers over 15,000 engineered medical, aerospace/aviation, and industrial/commercial products and employees 200 people. Hudson Technologies identified the need and benefits for wellness for its employees and worked hard to implement incentives to promote wellness. Hudson Technologies was committed to implementation and reviews their policy for effectiveness of process measures and outcome measures. VMA recognizes Hudson Technologies as “Best Practices” for ensuring that they not only make great product, but that they keep their employees healthy, too.

VMA recognizes from its manufacturing members that company with the most expertise in the international market in its “Exporter of the Year” Award. For the second year, the Manufacturer Exporter of the Year Winner is Germfree Laboratories, Inc. of Ormond Beach, Florida. Germfree Laboratories specializes in the production of all-stainless steel unidirectional laminar flow equipment for hospital, pharmacy, and oncology use, manufacturing a full line of compliant barrier isolators, as well as horizontal and vertical laminar airflow hoods and chemo hoods for over 45 years. Germfree’s equipment has been purchased by more than 5000 institutions and companies in the US and 60 other countries worldwide, with some of their equipment even taking a trip into space. Germfree Laboratories’ stainless steel biological safety cabinets are located in more hospital pharmacies, home healthcare agencies, educational institutions, and oncology offices than those of any other hood manufacturer.

VMA’s “Lois Fifer Friend of Industry Award” is awarded to a non-manufacturing member who demonstrates high levels of excellence towards support of the VMA and the manufacturing industry in the Volusia and Flagler Counties. This year’s recipient of the Lois Fifer Friend of the Industry Award is Leslie Castillo-Solis of Kelly Services in Daytona Beach, Florida. Kelly Services, Inc. is a Fortune 500 company headquartered in Troy, Michigan, offering staffing solutions that include temporary staffing services, staff leasing, outsourcing, vendor on-site, and full-time placement. Ms. Castillo-Solis has been an active member of VMA since joining, participating in Committees and serving on the VMA Board, chairing the Sales and Marketing Committee from 2007-2008. “Her passionate commitment to the VMA over the years has made a significant impact, and she truly deserves this award,” says Fifer.

“Karl Schiller Memorial Member of the Year” is awarded to the VMA Member who has contributed the most to the growth of the VMA and manufacturing in general in Volusia and Flagler Counties. The 2009 winner of the Karl Schiller Member of the Year Award is Roy Braddy of Hudson Technologies. Roy Braddy is a VMA Board Member, heading the Materials Division. It was his dream to develop the Materials Division, and he has worked relentlessly to build it into the viable group it is now, by supporting with increased programming for the materials, purchasing, buyers/planners and order placer members. Mr. Braddy has brought in speakers to discuss current inventory and purchasing topics or issues and regulations to give the members a forum to expand their knowledge and to help the members support each other.

Lastly, the “Manny” Award recognizes exceptional individuals for life-long achievements in manufacturing in Volusia and Flagler Counties. These individuals are entered into the VMA Hall of Fame. This year’s winner of the “Manny” Award is Joseph N. Scott of Florida Power and Light. Mr. Scott is the founder of the Volusia Manufacturers Association and had the original idea that there needed to be a singular voice for manufacturers in Volusia County back in 1980. Florida Power & Light Company (FPL) is the largest electric utility in Florida and one of the largest rate-regulated utilities in the United States. FPL serves 4.5 million customer accounts in Florida and is a leading employer in the state with nearly 11,000 employees. Mr. Scott currently heads one of the Northeast Florida FPL’s Retiree Chapters. For the VMA, Mr. Scott was one of the first Charter Directors who started the VMA, and in 1980 he served as the First Acting Chair. These Charter Directors put together the policies that are still active in the VMA today. The VMA was built to serve and promote the needs and aspirations of the manufacturing community, and it is only appropriate that Mr. Joe Scott receives the 2009 “Manny Award” for his extraordinary achievements in manufacturing in Volusia and Flagler counties.

The Volusia Manufacturers Association congratulates each and every winner of this year’s Manufacturing Awards and appreciates their commitment to the VMA and dedication to excellence in manufacturing. The Volusia Manufacturers Association also recognizes the 2009 Awards Banquet Sponsors as Magga Products, Volusia County Economic Development Department, Bank of America, Florida Health Care Plans, FloMet LLC, Florida MEP, University of Central Florida, The Center for Business Excellence, and Staed Hotels.

For more information about attending the Volusia Manufacturers Association 2009 Annual Awards Banquet, please contact Volusia Manufacturers Association or Jayne Fifer at 386.673.0505.

About Volusia Manufacturers Association:
The Volusia Manufacturers Association was founded in 1980 in Volusia County, Florida by manufacturers for manufacturers. Volusia Manufacturers Association provides information, education and networking opportunities to help manufacturers grow and succeed. VMA are made up of companies that range in size from one employee to over 500. If you are interested in joining the Volusia Manufacturers Association, please visit http://www.vmaonline.com.