Utah Pulse
The Utah Manufacturers Association, one of Utah’s longest running trade organizations, recognized Mity-Lite of Orem as the 2011 Manufacturer of the Year. The UMA made the announcement at its 106th Annual Awards and Installation Banquet, Saturday, Nov. 5, at Little America Hotel in Salt Lake City.
The banquet, attended by 700, serves as the most important event of the year for Utah’s 4,400 manufacturers, and Manufacturer of the Year is the most highly sought-after award for the industry in the state. Mity-Lite Durable Lightweight Furniture Systems was recognized for its outstanding contribution to Utah’s economy, exceptional operational performance, economic achievement, workplace safety, community and state involvement and commitment to the principles of America’s free enterprise system.
According to UMA President Thomas E. Bingham, Mity-Lite, founded in 1987 by Greg Wilson, found initial success by creating a lighter-weight ABS plastic table that became a staple for customers in hospitality, religious and public assembly settings. However, in 2008 the recession challenged Mity-Lite’s market leadership when customer demand dropped by almost 40 percent year-over-year in its busiest season. In response, Mity-Lite’s management team, led by CEO Randy Hales, established a plan to grow market share by introducing innovative products and streamlining operations.
“The results of that plan were amazing,” said Bingham. “In the throes of a recession, when many others were pulling back, Mity-Lite released five innovative new products within a year to expand its offerings. This bold move increased Mity-Lite’s revenue stream by 16 percent.”
Bingham said the outstanding company also used a team approach to improve operations. This effort reduced product lead times from 12 weeks during its busiest season to best-in-class lead times. Mighty-Lite also improved its factory schedule completion, shipping accuracy and on-time delivery, and increased labor productivity more than 100 percent. Because of the resulting cost savings in labor, employees have shared in the company’s success through increased wages and incentives.
Mity-Lite’s continued improvement in operations has enabled them to win bids away from competitors in Asia. The company’s ability to keep manufacturing jobs and vendors in Utah means Mity-Lite is directly contributing more than $10 million to Orem’s economy, an additional $9.7 million to other vendors in Utah and an additional $8.5 million to out-of-state vendors.
“We congratulate Mity-Lite and our 11 other finalists for their contributions to the economic wellbeing of the communities in which they serve and our state as a whole,” added Bingham. “They are excellent examples of manufacturing companies that build Utah’s economy and benefit its residents by creating useful products that make our lives better.”
Finalists for the Manufacturer of the Year included:
§ Barnes Aerospace, Ogden
§ Campbell Scientific, Inc., Logan
§ Futura Industries, Clearfield
§ Kaddas Enterprises, Salt Lake City
§ L3 Communications Systems-West, Salt Lake City
§ Ophir-Spiricon, LLC, North Logan
§ Petersen Incorporated, Ogden
§ Smead Manufacturing, Cedar City
§ Syracuse Casting, Tooele
§ USANA Health Services, Salt Lake City
§ Westinghouse Western Zirconium, Ogden
No comments:
Post a Comment