TROY Automation Alley celebrated Southeast Michigan’s technology and advanced manufacturing leaders at its 16th Annual Awards Gala, held Friday night at the Detroit Yacht Club on Belle Isle.
Automation Alley organizes its annual awards gala — an event that consistently draws hundreds of the region’s most influential leaders in business, government and academia — to honor the accomplishments and growth of the individuals and companies moving Southeast Michigan’s technology economy forward.
“Tonight, we celebrate you: those fearless leaders who have turned their visons into reality, who are disrupting their industries, who are architects of the future,” Tom Kelly, Automation Alley’s executive director, said at the sold-out event.
Automation Alley chooses awards finalists from a list of nominees in each award category, and an online voting process contributes to the final selection of winners. This year’s winners included:
• Outstanding Educational Initiative Award: Michigan Apprenticeship Program Plus (MAP+)
• Startup of the Year: QuipzOR
• Excellence in International Business Award: Hosco Fittings
• Advanced Manufacturer of the Year: Fori Automation
• Technology Company of the Year: Vectorform
Guests of this year’s Awards Gala were treated to keynote remarks from Sheryl Connelly, Global Trends and Futuring, Ford Motor Company and a Virtual Reality Experience courtesy of Technology Company of the Year winner Vectorform. The event was emceed by Andrew Humphrey of WDIV-TV Local 4.
“These are the companies that will ensure our region has a diverse and growing economy. These companies are creating the high-tech jobs that will employ our children and our children’s children. It’s because of their tenacity and leadership that our region has come back from the recession stronger, more resilient and poised for growth,” Humphrey said.
Rick Darter, president and CEO of Rave Computer, was also honored at this year’s awards gala. Darter received the Automation Alley Champion Award in honor of his contribution and support of Automation Alley and his devotion to helping Automation Alley launch a committee dedicated to modeling, simulation and visualization, the first of the organization’s new Industry 4.0 initiatives.
Goodwill Industries was also honored at this year’s awards gala as Member Company of the Year. An Automation Alley Foundation Member for 17 years, Goodwill Industries is a Tier 1 supplier to GM, Ford and Chrysler, shipping 1 million parts per month from state-of-the-art manufacturing lines that use innovative technologies to improve efficiencies and monitor quality control. The company is also a leader in the technical training of underserved populations, such as individuals with disabilities, those from economically disadvantaged backgrounds and returning citizens.
For more information, visit automationalley.com.
