The Lawton Standard Co. was proud once again to be a finalist for the Wisconsin Manufacturer of the Year (MOTY) award. Lawton was one of six finalists for the Grand Prize in the large category (500-999 employees) at the MOTY banquet in Milwaukee on February 19th.
A big thanks to Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce, Baker Tilly and Michael Best for hosting these annual awards. They do such a great job!
We’re proud to be from Northeast Wisconsin, where we had nine finalists for the awards this year.
Grand Award-Large Business Winner
Lawton was up against some great manufacturers in the large category, including Northeast Wisconsin companies Bassett Inc. from Kaukauna and Robinson, Inc. in De Pere. The category had six finalists in total. The Manufacturer of the Year award recognizes companies that are dedicated to quality careers, good business practices, financial growth, innovative processes and reinvestment into the community. Here in Wisconsin, the manufacturing industry contributes roughly $70 billion each year to the state’s economy.
Finalists for the Grand Awards were measured on financial growth, technological advances, product development, environmental solutions and sustainability, operational excellence and continuous improvement, commitment to employees and effective research and development.
A big congratulations to our fellow De Pere business, Robinson, Inc., for taking home the top prize!
What Separates Lawton Standard from the Rest?
Lawton Standard is a multi-metal, multi-site, multi-capability casting-centric business like no other. Innovation is key to staying ahead in the foundry industry and Lawton is committed to finding better, more efficient ways to provide high-quality iron and steel castings to our customers. It is a one-stop shop for people looking for iron and steel castings and has added benefits for customers like expert engineering, solidification software, in-house pattern shops, in-house machine shops and quality assurance. Lawton’s family of companies offers castings in iron, steel, stainless steel, alloys, superalloys and aluminum and we provide continuous cast products and wear products too.
Lawton’s commitment to a family-like culture, continuous improvement and innovation helps the company stay ahead of the curve in the foundry industry. With a diversified portfolio of customers, serving multiple industries, Lawton stays flexible in order to navigate any economic environment. Our commitment to safety, health and the environment make Lawton a great place to work and helps the communities around us.
Finalist for Spotlight Award-Community Impact
Lawton Standard was also a finalist for the Spotlight Award-Community Impact for our long-running dedication to sustainability and the environment. Lawton De Pere is the only foundry in Wisconsin to be Green Tier 2 certified by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Lawton began its Green Tier journey in 2013 after CEO Alex Lawton started the “Beyond Compliance” initiative. In 2021, Lawton earned Green Tier 2 status and recently renewed that status. The key improvements from the program include diverting waste streams from the landfill, raising environmental awareness through employee training and taking part in programs like “Adopt-A-Highway” and e-recycling events. Since 2022, Lawton De Pere has diverted close to 10,000 tons of spent foundry sand from the landfill. That sand is used in beneficial reuse programs like base layers for roads and parking lots, as well as in cement, concrete, bricks, roofing materials and much more.
We congratulate all of the winners of this year’s Spotlight Awards, including Ashley Furniture who beat us out in the Community Impact and Investment category. We commend these great manufacturers on showing a commitment to their workforce, making a positive impact on their communities and showing excellence in product and process innovations.
New Member of the Wisconsin Manufacturing Hall of Fame
A big congratulations to the newest member of the Wisconsin Manufacturing Hall of Fame.
Jack Link, of Jack Links Protein Snacks, gave a phenomenal speech about how his business grew. It hit more than a few speed bumps along the way, but since really figuring it out, Jack Links has soared.
Jack used his great-grandfather’s recipes and traditional smoking methods, developing protein products made from real cuts of beef. Today, Link Snacks, Inc is a globally renowned brand recognized for beef jerky, meat sticks and protein snacks.
The company remains family-owned, running operations in Minong, Wisconsin, and is now the largest manufacturer of jerky in the world.
Congrats Jack, a well-deserved nomination into the Wisconsin Manufacturers Hall of Fame.
Manufacturing Impact on Wisconsin and the WMC
For 36 straight years, Baker Tilly, Michael Best and WMC have partnered to honor the best and brightest manufacturers in Wisconsin with the Wisconsin Manufacturer of the Year Awards.
Manufacturing employs nearly half a million people in Wisconsin and contributes around $70 billion annually to the economy.
The WMC is the largest and most influential business association in the state. It has been around since 1911 and represents over 3,800 member companies, spanning all sectors of the economy.
You can read more about Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce, “Wisconsin’s Chamber,” by clicking here.
Learn more about what Lawton Standard could do for you by clicking here.