The North Carolina Manufacturing Extension Partnership (NCMEP) recognizes manufacturing excellence across North Carolina and honors manufacturers that deliver exceptional performance.
The awards committee is now accepting nominations for the 2025 NCMEP Leadership Awards. Manufacturers are encouraged to self-nominate.
The 2025 NCMEP Manufacturing Leadership Awards will be presented to manufacturing facilities in North Carolina with 500 or fewer employees demonstrating excellence in several categories during the 2025 North Carolina Manufacturing Conference, MFGCON. The date and location will be announced soon.
Organizations may submit applications in as many categories as desired but can only win in one category. If you’re a past category winner, you’re not eligible to win the same category again for five years.
Awards are presented in the following categories:
DEVELOPING MARKETS/ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AWARD
The Developing Markets/Economic Development award is decided by the economic impact of the manufacturer on its community, such as the overall economic impact, an increase in the overall tax base, the creation of new jobs, or criteria relevant to the community goals.
SUBMIT AN APPLICATION
CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT AWARD
The Continuous Improvement Award is presented to the organization that exemplifies the use of systems of continuous improvement methodology that drive organizational behaviors aligned to a visual, detailed action plan and timeline. Reviewers will be looking for evidence that standards and work instructions are simple and visual for all work processes. It is important to provide examples of improvements made by following a scientific method, such as PDCA, or DMAIC methodology.
SUBMIT AN APPLICATION
INNOVATION AWARD
The selection of the Innovation Award winner will be based on how the company uses innovation to improve their business. We seek evidence that the manufacturer achieved results in specific areas of innovation, such as the commercialization of new products.
SUBMIT AN APPLICATION
ADVANCED TALENT MANAGEMENT/WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT AWARD
The Advanced Talent Management/Workforce Development Award will be presented to the manufacturer that has demonstrated excellence in workforce development, through employee retention, recruitment, and training. We will look for evidence of the use of educational workforce development opportunities and secondary or post-secondary education from community colleges, universities, or workforce boards to support the development of a pipeline of skilled and qualified new and existing employees.
SUBMIT AN APPLICATION
SUSTAINABLE MANUFACTURING AWARD
The Sustainable Manufacturing Award criteria is based on outstanding sustainable practices, measurable environmental or energy savings related to production processes, product design, or product life cycle.
SUBMIT AN APPLICATION
COMMUNITY OUTREACH AWARD
The Community Outreach Award is presented to the manufacturer that has impacted communities in North Carolina. Selection is based on efforts in community engagement and the measurable impact of those efforts.
SUBMIT AN APPLICATION
EXCELLENCE IN MANUFACTURING AWARD
The Excellence in Manufacturing Award winner honors the manufacturer that demonstrates exemplary practices across all areas of manufacturing – workforce development, sustainability, innovation, emerging markets/economic development and continuous improvement.
SUBMIT AN APPLICATION
All submissions must be received by February 14, 2025.
Questions? Contact Susan Barber at 919.513.1359 or susan_barber@ncsu.edu.
