The National Association of Manufacturers’ Manufacturing Leadership Council named Daniel Dwight, president and CEO of Cooley Group, as the 2024 Manufacturing Leader of the Year.
Dwight has overseen a turnaround in Cooley’s business performance through digital transformation with a commitment to investing in smart factory technologies and developing a digital-ready workforce and business culture. Dwight also serves on the MLC’s Board of Governors and is a member of the Executive Committee of the NAM Board of Directors.
The MLC also named Cooley Group the 2024 Small/Medium Enterprise Manufacturer of the Year.
In addition, the MLC named Intertape Polymer Group the Large Enterprise Manufacturer of the Year in recognition of its achievements in digital transformation, including technology integration and workforce training. The MLC also recognized the company for its noteworthy achievements in sustainability through reductions in both energy usage and waste.
The 20th annual award ceremony took place at the conclusion of Rethink: Accelerating Digital Transformation in Manufacturing, the MLC’s signature event, which is also celebrating its 20th anniversary, that focuses on insights and strategies for how manufacturers can further their operational digital transformation. The event took place at the JW Marriott Marco Island Beach Resort in Florida June 2–5.
Manufacturing Leadership Award finalists and winners are determined by a distinguished panel of judges with significant industry expertise and experience. In addition to the above awards, the judges also conferred honors on the following category winners:
AI and Machine Learning
Celanese Corporation
Collaborative Ecosystems
Anheuser-Busch InBev
Digital Network Connectivity
Molex
Digital Supply Chains
The Wonderful Company
Digital Transformation Leadership
Julian Tan, IBM
Engineering and Production Technology
Van Wijnen Smart Structures
Enterprise Integration and Technology (Tie)
Dow
General Motors
Manufacturing in 2030 Award
Anheuser-Busch InBev
Cooley Group
Intel
Maxion Wheels
MxD
Nexteer Automotive
Next-Generation Leadership (Tie)
Angela Accurso, MxD
Marlon Gonzalez, IBM
Operational Excellence
Owens Corning
Sustainability and the Circular Economy
Intertape Polymer Group
Transformational Business Cultures
Humtown Products
The 2025 Manufacturing Leadership Awards will open to nominations on Sept. 16, 2024. Information about the awards program is available at manufacturingleadershipcouncil.com.
