Five manufacturers and one legislator honored by MMA

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Monday, June 07, 2010

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Industry Insider

By Mike Johnston
VP of Government Affairs
Michigan Manufacturers Association
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Every year, the Michigan Manufacturers Association (MMA) recognizes individuals that inspire, influence and advance the Michigan manufacturing industry during Michigan Manufacturing Week, the second week of May. This year, MMA named five manufacturers to receive the prestigious 2010 John G. Thodis Michigan Manufacturer of the Year Awards and honored Sen. Randy Richardville as the MMA Legislator of the Year.

Formal recognition of these extraordinary individuals occurs at the MMA CEO Forum and the Legislative and Executive Reception, the signature events of Michigan Manufacturing Week.

The 2010 MMA CEO Forum began with an awards luncheon featuring addresses from Gov. Jennifer Granholm and U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow, followed by the keynote presentation given by U.S. Manufacturing Czar Ron Bloom. Bloom shared his views about the manufacturing sector and President Obama’s economic strategy. Although he noted the manufacturing industry faces enormous challenges, he said significant progress has been made.

MMA President and CEO Chuck Hadden then presented awards to the following industry leaders who have made significant contributions not only to their industry, but to their community as well:

William Demmer, Large Tier
Michigan Manufacturer of the Year
Demmer, president and CEO of Lansing-based Demmer Corp., was recognized for his leadership and visionary business strategies that positioned the company to be more closely aligned with customer demand and highly responsive to changing industries. His futuristic thinking led the company from strong reliance on the auto industry (70 percent) to a successful and broadly diversified manufacturer of defense, aerospace, transportation and energy products.

Edward Walker, Small Tier
Michigan Manufacturer of the Year
Walker, president and CEO of W Industries in Detroit, was honored for successfully transforming his company from complete reliance on the automotive industry to include aerospace, defense, energy, homeland security and other industrial sectors. Under Walker’s leadership, the company’s sales have increased from $15 million to over $82 million in the past five years and 200 new employees have been added since 2003.

Mitchell Tomlinson,
Special Achievement Award
Tomlinson, president and CEO of Peckham Industries in Lansing, is leading the way in helping people with disabilities enter the workforce by providing vocational training, individual assessment and rehabilitation services. Recently, under Tomlinson’s leadership, the organization undertook a massive Lean improvement program that increased production of their cold-weather gear for the military from 220,000 to over 450,000 garments per month.

Nancy Ayres, Small Tier Finalist
Ayres is general manager of Flexco Grand Rapids, a manufacturer of conveyor belt fastening systems since 1908. Since Ayres took her current position in 1997, the company has experienced record growth in revenue and profits, which resulted in a 60,000-square-foot expansion of their manufacturing facility.

Steve Iocco, Small Tier Finalist
Steve Iocco, founder and president of Cartridges Are Us has continued to grow his company exponentially and has received several awards, including the industry’s most coveted award for “Best Quality Inkjet” from readers of Recharger Magazine in 2005. In addition, Iocco was honored with the “Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award for West Michigan” in 2006.

Following the awards presentation, the afternoon CEO Forum sessions kicked off with a presentation from Richard E. Dauch, co-founder, chairman and CEO of American Axle & Manufacturing. Dauch delivered an inspiring speech about the crucial role that manufacturing has played in our economy; what it takes to create a viable, flexible and competitive manufacturing operation today; and his outlook for the future of manufacturing. “I believe with every fiber of my being that we have the talent and commitment to resuscitate America’s manufacturing industry,” said Dauch.

James Tetreault, Ford VP of North American manufacturing and Jim Khoury, GM engineering manager of Global Hybrid Energy Systems, rounded out the day with presentations about what lay ahead for each company, including exciting new platforms and line-ups for 2010-11 cars.

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Columnist Bios

Chuck Hadden
President and CEO
Michigan Manufacturers Association
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Charles “Chuck” Hadden was named president and chief executive officer of MMA on September 15, 2008. He brings to the job over 15 years of experience with the nearly 3,000 member association, having previously served as the public policy officer and lead lobbyist representing manufacturers before the legislature and state agencies on a broad range of issues, including taxation, product liability, employment and insurance. During his tenure, Chuck was instrumental in obtaining passage of significant legislation that will benefit the manufacturing sector for years to come, including restructuring of Michigan’s tax and energy policies.

Hadden joined MMA in 1993 as director of environmental affairs. Previously, he served as account supervisor for Publicom Association Management Services where he served, simultaneously, as executive director of one national, and three state associations.

Hadden is a graduate of Alma College and completed course work in Administrative and Organizational Behavior with Central Michigan University’s Master of Arts Program. He also earned the Certified Association Executive (CAE) designation awarded by the American Society of Association Executives in 2004.

Hadden may be reached at 517-487-8550 or via email

Mike Johnston
Director of Regulatory Affairs
Michigan Manufacturers Association
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As director of regulatory affairs for MMA, Johnston is responsible for advocacy to state regulatory agencies and the legislature in the areas of air and water quality, solid and hazardous waste, wetlands, economic growth issues and electric industry restructuring. In addition to testifying on behalf of the manufacturing industry, Johnston leads several MMA member policy committees, including the MMA Air Quality, Water Quality and Environmental Quality Advisory Committees.

Amy Shaw
Director of Education & Employment Relations
Michigan Manufacurers Association
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Amy Shaw was appointed to the Michigan Manufacturers Association’s newly-created position of director of education and employment relations in 2001. She has more than 13 years of experience in program development and implementation, including eight years in her previous capacity as MMA’s director of education.