Released on February 25, 2010

Wisconsin Aluminum Foundry Co. Inc., Manitowoc, Wis., recently was given a special award for “Industry Perseverance,” one of eight 2009 Wisconsin Manufacturer of the Year Awards.

The eight manufacturing companies were honored Feb. 25 at an awards dinner and program at the Pfister Hotel in Milwaukee. According to the awards committee, the honors recognize Wisconsin companies that demonstrate a commitment to business excellence that has a positive impact on the company and the state.

Companies were evaluated in areas such as financial growth or consistency, technological advances, product development, environmental solutions and sustainability, operational excellence/continuous improvement, commitment to employees and effective research and development. An independent panel of judges, with representatives from business, education, government and the media, selected the winners.

The four grand awards went to Oshkosh Corp.-Defense Division, Oshkosh, American Orthodontics Corp., Sheboygan, Sentry Equipment Corp., Oconomowoc, Frito-Lay Inc., Beloit, and Northwoods Paper Converting, Beaver Dam. The other special awards were won by Mayville Engineering Co. Inc., Mayville, and Plastic Components Inc., Germantown.

The statewide recognition program is co-sponsored by Baker Tilly, an accounting and advisory firm, law firm Michael Best & Friedrich LLP, and Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce, a state business association.

“The success of each of these companies proves that manufacturing is alive and well in Wisconsin,” said Timothy Christen, chief executive officer of Baker Tilly. “These companies demonstrate that Wisconsin manufacturers have the forward momentum to make things in Wisconsin and create jobs for years to come.”