Elevate Advanced Manufacturing honored the past, present and future of advanced manufacturing at the 5th annual Legends in Manufacturing Awards Dinner on Tuesday. More than 200 people attended the event — the state’s largest celebration of advanced manufacturing —  at the Meadows Events & Conference Center in Altoona.

Awards were presented to the following individuals and companies: 

• C&S Products in Fort Dodge – Legend in Manufacturing Award (Under 100 Employees).
• Cemen Tech in Indianola – Legend in Manufacturing Award (100-300 Employees)
• EFCO in Des Moines – Legend in Manufacturing Award (300+ Employees)
• Beth Townsend, director, Iowa Workforce Development – Legend in Manufacturing (Manufacturing Champion)
• Fred Lisle of Lisle Corp. Legend in Manufacturing Award (Posthumous Awardee)

“These award winners are part of the reason why advanced manufacturing is Iowa’s largest industry,” said Mike Ralston, president of ABI. “Advanced manufacturing contributes $29 billion annually to the state’s economy.” 

Elevate Advanced Manufacturing, a program of the Iowa Association of Business and Industry, is a nonprofit initiative that spreads the word about career opportunities in manufacturing.

Also recognized were 15 high school seniors, who in May each received a $500 scholarship to attend an Iowa community college for a career in advanced manufacturing.

Profiles of each of the Legends of Manufacturing winners are featured in the inaugural Made in Iowa magazine, a new annual joint publication of ABI and the Business Record that was unveiled at the dinner. To view the profiles, click here.