Chamber seeks manufacturer award nominations

To be eligible for the award, companies must be members of the chamber and have at least 25 employees.

Nominees are evaluated on factors such as business stability and growth, employee development, product development and sustainability, environmental, health and safety performance and community involvement.

Allen Kunkel, manager of regional development for the chamber, said three finalists will be recognized; only one company will be chosen for the award, which will presented at a special event Dec. 13.

Kunkel said there are more than 20,000 people employed in manufacturing in southwest Missouri.

“It’s not just the number of manufacturers (here) but the number of people they employ,” Kunkel said. “Traditionally, they’re a higher wage earner, so the overall spin-off effect that a manufacturing company has is very significant to our economy.”

Nominations for Manufacturer of the Year can be made online at www.springfieldchamber.com.

See SBJ’s Aug. 7 issue for more news about manufacturing and industry in the Ozarks.