Winner History

The Maxeff motor by Adventech, combined with Maxeff Soft Start, can start and stop without experiencing high amp draw and temperature. The amp draws with Maxeff Soft Start is IN x 1.5.

Similar to other electric motors, Adventech’s Maxeff motor features an induction motor circuit. Unlike traditional models, ours have a built-in, all-in-one induction generator circuit. Maxeff’s two-circuit design uses the same magnetic field, rotor, and stator to produce more shaft power than similar induction electric motors.

Austal is a global defense prime contractor and a designer and manufacturer of defense and commercial ships. For more than 27 years Austal has been a leader in the design, construction and maintenance of revolutionary ships for governments, navies and ferry operators around the world. More than 255 vessels have been delivered in that time.

What’s in a Name?
Back Forty Beer Company’s name is inspired by an old agricultural term referring to the 40 acres of land situated furthest from the barn. The back 40 acres are historically the most challenging land to maintain and are often overlooked due to their remote location. Likewise, Alabama is widely seen as the wasteland for craft beer in America. With mass produced light beer being the drink of choice for many Southerners, the craft beer market here has been largely ignored. However, if you dig a little deeper into the story of the back 40 you will see that because the soil is rarely used, it’s very fertile and is actually capable of producing a tremendous yield. And just like the farm, the Deep South’s craft beer culture is fertile and primed for harvest.

Legal Environment
In 2008 it was illegal to produce or sell a beer in the state of Alabama that exceeded 6% ABV. This eliminated dozens of beer styles that are commonly offered by craft breweries everywhere. It was also illegal to operate a tasting room at the brewery or sell beer directly to the public. And even worse, it was illegal to package beer in a container larger than 16 ounces….. You guessed it, no bombers! And to this day, it’s illegal for breweries to offer investment opportunities to anyone owning a restaurant or distributor within the State, which makes it really difficult for a small business to raise the critical funding necessary to grow and expand.

The Start of Something Special
In 2008, after several years in the corporate world and with over 150 brewery tours under his belt, founder Jason Wilson reached out to renowned Brewmaster Jamie Ray and asked for his help in developing the recipes for Back Forty Beer Company. The goal for the liquid was simple—to expose Southerners to the same craft beer culture that Wilson had been a part of for the last ten years. This meant starting out with classic beer styles and evolving with customers along the way. Jamie agreed and in January of 2009 he would become Back Forty’s first employee.

The next challenge to overcome was raising the money necessary to build a brewery. Resources were limited, and at one point it looked like the project may have to be put on hold due to lack of funding. As a last resort, Wilson reached out to a microbrewery in the neighboring state of Mississippi and asked them if it would be possible to use their space to help get Back Forty’s beers to the market and hopefully build some momentum that would assist in securing the funds needed to build Back Forty’s own facility.

In June of 2009, Back Forty released its first offering, Naked Pig Pale Ale. The beer was only available in the North-Central Alabama home market, but the response was overwhelming, and in March of 2010 the second Back Forty offering hit the shelves, Truck Stop Honey Brown Ale.

Later that year Truck Stop Honey was awarded a Silver Medal at the Great American Beer Festival, and in the weeks following, distribution offers poured in that would allow Back Forty to expand its coverage throughout Alabama.

This was the spark needed to secure a Small Business loan and begin sourcing equipment for Back Forty’s own facility.

If You Build It, They Will Come
From the beginning, the Back Forty team had been amazed by the positive impact that micro breweries have on their communities. And having grown up in a blue collar town that was chewed up and spit out by the industrial revolution, it didn’t take long for Wilson to settle on Gadsden as the permanent home for Back Forty Beer Company. Back Forty secured a 27,000 Sq. Ft. warehouse that was built in the 1940’s, and Back Forty’s four employees spent eleven months working themselves and with contractors restoring the space and installing equipment. This included working through dozens of regulations and restrictions that have been in place in the Deep South since the repeal of prohibition.

It Begins
After ten years of countless challenges and the overwhelming support of the Gadsden community, Back Forty brewed its first production batch of beer at its new home in January of 2012. This also marked the release of two new Back Forty offerings, Freckle Belly IPA and Kudzu Porter. By March of 2012 Back Forty had received distribution offers from as far away as California & New York and demand was exceeding the ability to keep up.

Back Forty Today
Summer 2018, Back Forty Beer Company joined Birmingham’s thriving craft beer scene with the opening of a new microbrewery at Sloss Docks. Back Forty–Birmingham Owner & CEO, Douglas Brown, chose this location due to the dramatic views of Sloss Furnaces and the nearby active railway. The venue is the perfect spot for customers to drink a beer or two in the tap room or vast outdoor garden, do a little train watching, and enjoy the occasional live band. Back Forty Birmingham brewers, Jamie Ray (the original Back Forty Brewmaster) and Tosh Brown, will brew popular core Back Forty beers (Naked Pig, Truck Stop Honey, Freckle Belly, Paw Paw’s, etc.) as well as a steady rotation of new experimental beers available only in the local market. And, the Back Forty Birmingham kitchen, under the leadership of executive chef Russ Bodner, offers a creative variety of American pub foods primarily sourced through local growers.

Central States Manufacturing produces metal roofing and siding for thousands of customers across America. These customers use our material to make a variety of structures, including backyard garages, metal roofs, industrial complexes, and even agricultural buildings. We began production in a small 15,000 square foot plant in Rogers, Arkansas in April 1988, but quickly outgrew the space. Since then, we have expanded our footprint across the USA.

Established in 1978, Douglas Manufacturing has long been known as a leading manufacturer of conveyor components and engineered conveying solutions. All Conveyor Components are proudly designed and manufactured in Pell City, Alabama. For 44 years, Douglas has codified its legacy as a leader and innovator in the conveyor industry. Our mission is to maintain our status as a recognized leader and continue to help our customers make their conveyor operations safer and more profitable.

Douglas conveyor components are proudly manufactured in the United States of America. From stock pulleys, and idlers to custom-engineered conveying solutions the people of Douglas are dedicated to Conveying Innovation™ every day.

We maintain inventory at our headquarters and plant in Pell City, Alabama as well as in our Dallas, Texas Distribution Centers.

All stock items are available for same-day shipment. Emergency and after-hours services are available resulting in lead times of as little as 24 hours for critical situations.

Ecovery has been in the forefront of scrap recycling. Our central location in Loxley, Alabama, and access to I-10 make receiving and distribution fast and easy for our customers. With a focus on nonferrous metal, we’ve continued to add to our product line with innovations such as our slag conditioner, Deox 70. In spring 2016, the Melt Plant officially opened, with an on-site rotary and reverb furnace to melt primary and secondary aluminum scrap and cast it into recycled secondary ingots (RSI) or Deox Cones. A third processing line was added in 2017, followed by a planned pre-shredder and fourth chopping line in 2018.

EFI Automotive is an independent Tier 1 and Tier 2 automotive supplier serving the world leaders of the automobile industry.
The culture of EFI Automotive is that of a manufacturing company with an 80-year record of excellence, in particular in the field of sensors, actuators and embedded smart modules. Its solutions help increase the efficiency of conventional automobile engines and transmissions as well as their hybrid and all-electric counterparts, while reducing polluting emissions and CO₂.

Since our inception in 1987, Sanoh America has grown into an industry-leading supplier in North America specializing in tubular products for automotive applications. Utilizing Sanoh’s extensive global network of engineering, technology and production resources, we strive to add value to our products by offering solutions to meet the challenges of our business partners.

By an experienced team of molders and mold makers to service the rapidly expanding plastics market in North Alabama. The company prospered and grew by servicing its customers with the most cost-effective and highest quality tooling and molding in the area.

InSpec Labeling is an industry leader in the production of pressure sensitive paper and film labels that provide customers in the packaging industry with a premium look and first-rate functionality. We manufacture tamper-evident labels, flexible packaging, shrink sleeve labels, and custom tags. Our capabilities range from flexographic printing and digital printing to weatherproof materials, adhesive printing, embossing, and foil stamping.

IS4S was founded by experienced engineers and managers who realize the need to ensure that our government, military, and commercial customers have an alternative to the defense contractor “status quo.” The IS4S approach to systems integration and development is based on a time proven premise: “Giving the customer the best value solution is always the right answer.” We believe that there is no better way to build our business than to build our customer’s business with high value, technically innovative solutions and services.

Johnson Labs is a 15,000-square-foot facility currently employing 17 people. We create custom formulas, fill, and package more than 200 different products for our clients. We currently use five filling machines, 1 blister pack machine, and two manual filling stations. We are an EPA registered facility capable of packaging for our EPA-registered clients.

Michelin North America is a $10.76 billion dollar a year company operating 19 plants in 16 locations and employs 22,000 people. It manufactures and sells tires for airplanes, automobiles, farm equipment, heavy duty trucks, motorcycles, and bicycles. Michelin manufactures tires in six states: Alabama, Indiana, Ohio, Oklahoma, North Carolina and South Carolina. In addition, there are three plants in Nova Scotia, Canada and one plant in Queretaro, Mexico. Two plants specialize in the manufacturing of semi-finished goods taking raw materials and turning them into components for the plants that produce tires and one plant strictly produces synthetic rubber. Finished goods are produced in sixteen plants, two sites produce retreads for the trucking and one site produces retreads for the aircraft industry. Michelin Maps and Guides also produce road atlases, road maps and travel guides for all the major cities in North America.

MRaine Industries LLC is a grassroots minority-owned (National and State MBE Certified), artesian well-water manufacturing and bottling company located in rural Alabama, determined to revitalize a low-socioeconomic community by bringing jobs back to rural Alabama. MRaine Industries LLC, the proud producer of Eleven86 Real Artesian Water, manufactures and operates a 64,000 sq. ft. state-of-the-art facility housing multi-million-dollar machinery to produce preforms from resin and manufacture pre-forms into bottles. MRaine Industries LLC bottles ultra-premium and all-natural water with no chemicals, no additives, and no preservatives at the source.

Over the past 25+ years, Muskogee Technology has grown substantially across multiple manufacturing sectors. We provide top-of-the-line services to meet the needs of aerospace, defense, space, renewable energy, oil/gas, agricultural, and OEM industries. We specialize in composites cutting and kitting, metal fabrication, and CNC precision machining and we adhere to strict AS9100 quality management system standards. We are a Tribally-owned, Small Disadvantaged Business (SDB), Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE), Minority Business Enterprise (MBE), and Indian Small Business Economic Enterprise (ISBEE) aerospace manufacturing and service-oriented business with ISO 9001:2015, Nadcap Composites, and EN/JISQ/AS9100D Quality Management System certifications.

OnPoint MANUFACTURING was formed in 2000 to make garments one at a time in exactly the size that fits the buyer. The business model allows the designer to maximize your time and capital through Purchase Activated Mass Customization of apparel. OnPoint has developed technically advanced manufacturing and distribution solutions for the apparel industry that automates and integrates almost every aspect of the manufacturing process from order entry all the way to delivery directly to the customer. By combining their new groundbreaking apparel manufacturing technology with years of quality workmanship, OnPoint is taking the promise of apparel on-demand to a new level. OnPoint Manufacturing employs 25 people and is the future of the apparel industry.

Plasma Processes is a supplier of advanced materials solutions to commercial and government customers in the aerospace, defense, power generation, oil & gas, semi-conductor, and other key industries.  We have expertise with high and ultra-high temperature materials, such as iridium, rhenium, tungsten and molybdenum, and can apply coatings or create custom parts and powders using our advanced deposition processes.  We also develop solutions for wear and corrosion resistance, electrical isolation, thermal protection and dimensional restoration.  Our highly trained staff can work with your team to develop custom solutions.  We are AS9100D with ISO 9001:2015 certified and have advanced lab resources available to test and validate results.

Plasmine Technology, Inc. was founded in 1968 with a single business objective, to provide the best sizing products and technical support to the paper industry. Plasmine is a wholly owned subsidiary of Harima USA of Osaka, Japan and is one of two major suppliers of rosin-based internal sizing additives to the North American Paper Industry. The corporate office is located in Pensacola, Florida with two manufacturing plants located in Bay Minette, Alabama and in Portland Maine. There are also two distribution networks established in the Oregon/Washington and Wisconsin areas.

Plasmine Technology, Inc. produces and sells high quality rosin internal sizing agents and various surface treatment additives for the paper and paperboard industries. The core business for the company is the manufacture of rosin based internal sizing additives for the paper industry. Plasmine has the most diverse portfolio of rosin based sizing additives of all rosin sizing suppliers in North America to meet a wide range of wet end operating conditions and paper sizing requirements.

Plasmine Technology, Inc. was founded in 1968 with a single business objective, to provide the best sizing products and technical support to the paper industry. Plasmine is a wholly owned subsidiary of Harima USA of Osaka, Japan and is one of two major suppliers of rosin-based internal sizing additives to the North American Paper Industry. The corporate office is located in Pensacola, Florida with two manufacturing plants located in Bay Minette, Alabama and in Portland Maine. There are also two distribution networks established in the Oregon/Washington and Wisconsin areas.

Plasmine Technology, Inc. produces and sells high quality rosin internal sizing agents and various surface treatment additives for the paper and paperboard industries. The core business for the company is the manufacture of rosin based internal sizing additives for the paper industry. Plasmine has the most diverse portfolio of rosin based sizing additives of all rosin sizing suppliers in North America to meet a wide range of wet end operating conditions and paper sizing requirements.

PHP Fibers is a globally operating company in the area of industrial filament yarns whose origins extend back to 1899. About 1.000 employees are working in the development, production and sale of high-tenacity polyamide and polyester filament yarns and their polymers at locations in Europe, America and Asia. Since 2014, PHP Fibers is a subsidiary of Indorama Ventures (IVL), Thailand.

Progress Rail, a Caterpillar company, is one of the largest integrated and diversified suppliers of railroad and transit system products and services worldwide. Since its acquisition by Caterpillar Inc. in 2006, Progress Rail has used the Caterpillar international footprint to gain quick and widespread notice and approval across the globe. Product technology, reliability and durability, along with legendary aftermarket parts and service support, have been our keys to success. Caterpillar is the world’s leading manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, diesel and natural gas engines and industrial gas turbines. The technology and world reach of Caterpillar, combined with the service standard and historical reliability of Progress Rail, ensures our products and services make a growing impact on the world rail industry.

With our acquisition of Electro-Motive Diesel (EMD), Progress Rail is the world’s largest builder of diesel-electric locomotives for all commercial railroad applications including freight, intercity passenger, commuter, switching, industrial and mining. EMD is also a global provider of diesel power engines for marine propulsion, offshore and land based oil well drilling rigs and stationary power generation. Electro-Motive is the only diesel engine manufacturer of its size to have produced more than 70,000 engines. This success stems from product reliability, serviceability, load acceptance capability, low operating costs and ease of maintenance with standardized components.

For more than half a century, Electro-Motive locomotives have hauled freight and passengers, powered ships, and generated electricity for over 100 countries around the globe. Our products are built to last and outperform the competition. EMD products have performed in nearly every imaginable condition – from the sands of the Sahara, to the heights of the Andes, to the demanding grades of the Powder River Basin. With that performance, we’ve not only helped our customers achieve their goals, but we’ve also earned a reputation for quality, service and innovation.

Progress Rail engages in a lifelong relationship with customers and offers a complete line of value-added services to enhance the performance of our products. The equipment management and maintenance services set industry standards for service excellence. Through technological advancements and customer-focused solutions, our customers achieve new levels of availability, reliability and asset utilization. Listening to and supporting customers, pursuing continuous improvement, and building on a reputation for manufacturing excellence, we look forward to a future of innovation and service to the fast-changing global railroad and power products industries.

Specification Rubber Products began in 1968 as a manufacturer of molded rubber components for the waterworks industry, specializing in rubber gaskets. Today, our company is a primary supplier for ductile iron pipe, valve, and hydrant producers. We also offer specialty mechanical molded goods for industrial applications.

Our name is an accurate description of the products and services that we provide to our customers. We are custom molders of high quality, close tolerance, engineered rubber products not only for the waterworks industry but also for any industries that use gaskets when installing iron or any other material pipes. We have the technology, equipment, and experience to produce large parts that other molders avoid. The Polymers that we use to create our products include SBR, natural rubber, nitrile, EPDM, neoprene, silicone, and fluoroelastomer. We welcome the opportunity to recommend or assist in formulating a rubber compound to meet your specific requirements and specifications. Our manufacturing facility is located in Alabaster, Alabama, USA.

More than 35 years ago, John Turner started Turner Machine in his backyard and began building a national reputation in the tool and die industry for fabricating high quality general machine products that met his clients’ needs and saved them time and money. For the past six years, under the leadership of John’s son, Bill, the company is now focusing solely on medical instruments and implants for spinal, orthopedic and other medical procedures. The company’s wealth of experience – as well as their ISO-13485 certification and FDA registration – ensures that they continue to achieve John Turner’s original goal of supplying innovative products that not only meet but exceed the exacting standards and specification of their clients.

Vulcan Materials Company is the nation’s largest producer of construction aggregates—primarily crushed stone, sand and gravel—and a major producer of aggregates-based construction materials including asphalt and ready-mixed concrete. Our coast-to-coast footprint and strategic distribution network align with and serve the nation’s growth centers.

Watring Technologies, Inc. (WTI) is an experienced, diversified high technology company proficient in total system integration services, test, custom design, and the manufacturing of process automated hardware. We give customers access to a sole-source, multi-disciplinary staff of specialists offering turn-key solutions.

For more than a century, we’ve been growing trees and making forest products that improve lives in fundamental ways. Our wood products are used to build homes where families are sheltered and raised. Our land forms the building blocks of responsible development. And our forests are used for recreation, conservation and different forms of renewable energy.

Wildwood is a woman-owned, small business, located at 29700 Indian Springs Road in Madison, Alabama. Wildwood offers contract manufacturing and build-to-print electronics production services. Wildwood has delivered complex military and flight hardware to the Department of Defense, NASA and major prime contractors since 1983. Wildwood-manufactured hardware is in use today on the AVENGER, SPACE LAUNCH SYSTEMS (SLS), ARROW, TOMAHAWK, TOW, LCPK, HELLFIRE, MLRS, PATRIOT, LCSS, The International Space Station and many other defense and aerospace systems.

When small-quantity, high-quality components were essential, Boeing, Hughes, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, General Dynamics, Raytheon and other prime contractors have trusted Wildwood to deliver zero-defect products on time and within budget.

3M is a global innovation company that never stops inventing. Over the years, we have worked to improve daily life for hundreds of millions of people all over the world. We have made driving at night easier, made buildings safer, and made consumer electronics lighter, less energy-intensive and less harmful to the environment. We even helped put a man on the moon.

At the Guin site, we are especially expert in these core technologies:

• Light Management
• Adhesives
• Advanced Materials
• Ceramics
• Films
• Specialty Materials
• Flexible Converting and Packaging
• Inspection and Measurement
• Process Design and Control
• Molding
• Precision Processing
• Radiation Processing
• Surface Modification
• Vapor Processing

Aker Solutions delivers integrated solutions, products and services to the global energy industry. We enable low-carbon oil and gas production and develop renewable solutions to meet future energy needs. By combining innovative digital solutions and predictable project execution we accelerate the transition to sustainable energy production.

Aker Solutions accelerates the transition to sustainable energy production. Powered by digital technology, strategic partnerships and a strong culture of solving problems, we deliver complex energy projects in a safe, predictable and sustainable way. This is how we #PowerTheChange

We provide subsea production equipment and offshore field design, ranging from concept studies and front-end engineering to subsea production systems. We carry out maintenance and modifications work and provide services during operations as well as deliver solutions to extend the lifetime of oil and gas fields.

Applied Chemical Technology, Inc. was founded in June 1981 by A. Ray Shirley, Jr. as an engineering firm providing consulting service to the chemical industry. Demand for ACT services immediately grew, and ACT now employs a team of professional engineers, designers, chemists, laboratory and computer technicians, and master craftsmen, as well as business and support staff. Applied Chemical Technology specializes in the design and construction of large and small scale production plants for innovative chemical products and processes. Fabrication services were added in 1984 and have since grown to include custom laboratory apparatus as well as production equipment. Today, Applied Chemical Technology occupies a complex located in the Florence-Lauderdale Industrial Park in Florence, Alabama, with 24,500 square feet of office and laboratory space and 60,000 square feet for fabrication, automation and pilot plant facilities.

General Dynamics Mission Systems is a trusted provider of high-performance imaging solutions for professionals in some of the world’s most demanding applications.

We specialize in developing gyro-stabilized cameras, optics, precision structures and motion control products. Our brand of imaging technology solutions includes the complete integration of Axsys Technologies into our product family, and is built on a proud legacy of technology dating back to Vernitron Corp. By owning these and other core technologies that support our electro-optical infrared (EO/IR) and motion control solutions, we deliver highly-engineered, vertically-integrated systems designed to meet our customers’ needs and help assure mission success.

Birmingham Fastener is a leading manufacturer and distributor of fasteners for structural steel fabrication, metal building manufacturers, transportation, water works and utilities, original equipment manufacturers, construction, MRO and more. We are one of the world’s largest manufacturers of T-head bolts. We manufacture custom and non standard fasteners and operate a state of the art distribution center in Alabama, as well as 8 fully stocked distribution centers throughout the United States. Our commitment to excellence, industry experience and highly trained sales and engineering team guarantees our customers the best products and services available anywhere.

We design and build custom molds to your specific requirements and manufacture a variety of containers, which are available in light-repellent colors—including amber and black—that can be customized to meet the needs of your application.

For over 20 years, the world’s largest players in the paper industry have entrusted Cascades Sonoco to protect their paper rolls from damage. We’ve leveraged our expertise in paper barrier technologies and combined them with leading poly-coating and laminating technologies, successfully creating and innovating a full range of transit solutions.

Daikin has been a world leader in the development, manufacture and sales of fluoropolymers and chemistry since 1924. Headquartered in Osaka, Japan, Daikin is renowned for innovation, quality and commitment. As the world changes, Daikin is meeting the challenges with technology that makes a difference. We have been in the forefront of the fluorocarbon industry not just with constant innovation in the products we develop, but the service and support behind them.

Electricfil Corporation in Elkmont is EFI Automotive’s North American headquarters and manufacturing hub, playing a key role in powering OEM and Tier 1 sensors for automotive powertrain systems. Since opening in 2004, the plant has grown through investments in expansion, environmental efficiency, and quality excellence—making it both a technological and economic anchor for the region. In 2025, Electricfil Corporation continues to grow with a new line for Ford, targeting major vehicles.

Incorporated in 2004, GATR manufactures deployable inflatable satellite communication terminals. GATR’s unique inflatable design enables deployment of high-bandwidth terminals in as few as two cases, making it ideal for first-in deployments and remote application. The GATR is currently used by U.S. and foreign military, intelligence, and homeland security, as well as commercial and non-governmental organizations at Ku-, C-, X-, and Ka-band for all types of data and voice transmissions and other IP enabled activities. GATR’s antennas perform like rigid deployable antennas of the same size, but provide up to 85% reduction in the logistical size/weight of those systems.

The Acme Brick Company logo is stamped onto select residential brick for very specific reasons. When you see the Acme name, you can be sure that the brick are:

• Hard-fired for lasting strength. The presence of the Acme name indicates that the brick are made from premium clay and hard-fired in computer-controlled kilns at temperatures that often exceed 1,800 degrees. The result is a brick that will outlast your mortgage and will stay beautiful without having to be painted, sealed, or maintained in other ways.
• Tested for durability and safety. The Acme name is your assurance that the brick on the home exceed the specifications included in all local building codes.
• American-made by an American-owned company. Acme owns 26 brick plants in the central and southeastern United States.
• Backed with one of the strongest commitments in the industry: Acme’s pacesetting 100 Year Limited Guarantee for Homebuyers.

Knox Kershaw Inc. has a long history in the railroad industry with over 90 years experience creating innovative solutions in the fields of track construction and maintenance in the U.S. and international markets.

In the United States, the LafargeHolcim family of companies offer an unparalleled range of innovative cement, aggregates, asphalt and concrete products and construction services that have been the foundation for infrastructure projects across the globe. We support the nation’s prosperity because a good infrastructure is at the heart of a good economy. We expect that the market will continue to grow given the increased demand for infrastructure development.

LINE-X is widely known as the market leader in spray-on truck bedliners, and with over 25 years of industry experience and technical expertise, our applicators are the best in the business. Our passion for protection and innovation has expanded LINE-X applications beyond bedliners into other areas of the automotive aftermarket — like specialty automotive coatings and accessories — as well as the commercial, industrial, and manufacturing realms. LINE-X products and people are up for almost any challenge.

Lockheed Martin’s Pike County Operations facility is a manufacturing, final assembly, test and storage operation for many of the missile programs supported by Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control (MFC).

MILO’S TEA COMPANY was founded as a restaurant in 1946 by Milo and Bea Carlton after Milo returned from serving our country in World War II. Milo’s philosophy was simple – use high-quality, natural ingredients, listen to your customers, and never sacrifice taste. Their vision still guides them today as they source natural ingredients, fresh brew all their teas, and never use added colors or preservatives. As a certified women-owned business, which means they are majority-owned and controlled by women, Milo’s employs 194 people.

Nidek Medical Products Inc. (NMP) was founded in 1986 with its original headquarters in Homewood Alabama. It is the oldest manufacturer of oxygen concentrators in the world. We have been in business for 35 years and are the direct descendent of Union Carbide who were the original developers of the PSA (Pressure Swing Adsorption). Nidek Medical Products purchased all of the assets, design, and manufacturing rights from Union Carbide for this system. NMP has its world headquarters and manufacturing facility located in Birmingham AL in a 65,000 square foot facility. We moved into our present location in 1989. In 1999 there was a 10,000-sqft expansion for warehousing. In April 2020 we completed our current expansion to include a 15,000 sqft new warehouse facility to house our growing business.

Ox Bodies, Inc. is a leading manufacturer specializing in heavy-duty truck bodies and equipment. Renowned for their durability and innovation, Ox Bodies offers a wide range of products, including dump bodies, flatbeds, and specialty truck equipment designed to meet the demanding needs of industries such as construction, agriculture, and transportation. Committed to quality and craftsmanship, Ox Bodies leverages advanced technology and materials to deliver reliable, high-performance solutions that enhance the efficiency and productivity of their clients’ operations.

Prystup Packaging Products manufactures paperboard folding cartons (NAICS 322212, SIC 2657) and related packaging/advertising items such as sleeves, deli back cards, bottle neck bands, trays, wraps, and table tents. Although our company has vast experience in the electronics and fast food markets, we are currently most in demand in the consumer goods arena. Snack foods, dry goods or health and beauty aids are a particularly good fit for our company’s production machinery. The necessity for quality and flexibility in these highly competitive markets is also consistent with Prystup Packaging’s time-tested production management systems.

Raytheon today is a unique technology company and a world leader in defense electronics, with a broad range of products, service and capabilities. The proud legacies of Raytheon, E-Systems, Texas Instruments Defense, Hughes Aircraft and others have come together to form one company with one vision: One global team creating trusted, innovative solutions to make the world a safer place.

We engineer and deliver industrial automation systems and solutions concentrating on mining, aggregates, cement, oil and gas, metals, forest products, and fibers, as well as the water/wastewater industries. For over 35 years we have helped clients increase capacities, improve time to market, optimize their assets, and meet regulatory requirements. We provide a full suite of automation services from front end engineering and design through design-build delivery that focuses on reducing client risk.

From rigid paper and plastics, to flexible packaging and hybrid options, we have an integrated packaging solution to help move your product and your brand from creation to consumer. Whether your product is sold on the perimeter or the center of the store, our packaging and merchandising capabilities can increase your speed to market, while also increasing shelf and shopper appeal through innovative design that adds value to your marketing and manufacturing.

SPOC, a family of innovative technology companies with deep expertise in power conversion electronics, is the parent company of multiple brands: SPOC Automation, SPOC Grid Inverter Technologies and SPOC SCADA. The manufacturing facilities for all three companies are located in nine buildings based in Alabama. SPOC Automation manufactures variable frequency drives for the oil & gas industry. Oil & gas production is one of the most intensive energy consumers of all sectors. SPOC Automation’s technology automates critical processes to significantly reduce the energy used to produce oil & gas. It also reduces the emissions produced in the process, helping lower its customers’ carbon output, while helping them meet their most aggressive ESG goals. With more than 75,000+ drives in the field, SPOC Automation’s products are installed throughout the US and the world. SPOC Grid Inverter Technologies, launched in 2020, manufactures inverter technology that is powering the electrification of the world, and reshaping how we produce and use energy. Using their expertise, SPOC Grid is taking diesel-powered applications and adding industrial energy storage to create hybrid power systems. Consider their first project, a collaboration with a U.S. -based manufacturer of industrial generators. SPOC Grid leveraged its expertise to add energy storage to those standard diesel-powered mobile generators (the kind you see on every construction site), dramatically slashing both the amount of fuel burned and carbon emissions produced. SPOC Grid is working today to convert diesel-powered service ships working around the world into hybrids, by adding inverters and energy storage (batteries). This technology promises to reshape the entire marine industry. The unique culture at SPOC fosters the team’s ingenuity, leading to groundbreaking solutions that push past the limits of today’s technology. Each of SPOC’s products is designed, engineered and manufactured in Trussville. And that culture has led to explosive growth. Yes, it’s a phrase we use often, but then we’ve grown from 65 employees in January 2023 to more than 120 in July, while planning to grow to more than 300 employees in 2024. The numbers are dramatic. We’ve installed more than 75,000+ inverters in the field Our inverters control more than 4,172,323kW of power With an estimated annual savings of $600,814,582 annually While reducing CO2 emissions by 4,318,939 mt/py

The SDR Alabama site – in the middle of a growing steel-making region – is strategically placed to reduce transportation costs for nearby EAF steel producers.

The Steel Dust Recycling plant consists of a conditioning, blending, and pelletizing facility for the EAF dust to be processed, a Waelz Kiln for processing the steel dust, storage and loading facilities for products to be sold, and the latest environmental control systems. The facility is located on 66 acres near Millport, Alabama. The SDR site has direct access to four major rail carriers and is near multiple Interstate highways.

Developed in 1910, the Waelz Kiln is a proven technology for high-temperature metals recovery (HTMR) of EAF waste. The result is more highly concentrated zinc oxides which are used as raw materials for zinc smelters. While many other technologies have been successfully tested for processing steel dust, none have proven as economically feasible as the Waelz Kiln process, which remains the best demonstrated available technology for recycling steel dust.

3M is a global innovation company that never stops inventing. Over the years, we have worked to improve daily life for hundreds of millions of people all over the world. We have made driving at night easier, made buildings safer, and made consumer electronics lighter, less energy-intensive and less harmful to the environment. We even helped put a man on the moon.

Our success begins by applying our 40 core technologies – often in combination – to an endless array of real-world customer needs in our manufacturing facilities. Much of the fundamental R&D for both the Film and Materials Divisions is performed in our St. Paul R&D facilities; however, eleven of the forty core 3M Technologies are practiced and continuously improved at the Decatur location.

These technologies include:

– Adhesives (Ad)

– Analytical Science and Technology (An)

– Display (Di)

– Flexible Converting and Packaging (Fc)

– Films (Fi)

– Molding (Mo)

– Polymer Melt Processing (Pm)

– Precision Processing (Pp)

– Process Design and Control (Pr)

– Specialty Materials (Sm)

– Surface Modification (Su)

A leading global provider of networking and communications equipment. Our products enable voice, data, video and Internet communications across a variety of network infrastructures. Our solutions are currently in use by service providers, private enterprises, government organizations and millions of individual users worldwide.

We are a leading global provider of networking and communications equipment. Our products enable voice, data, video and Internet communications across a variety of network infrastructures. Our solutions are currently in use by service providers, private enterprises, government organizations and millions of individual users worldwide.

Founded in 1971 by Ned Paine, Amerex has grown to become the world’s largest and most innovative manufacturer of hand portable and wheeled fire extinguishers for commercial and industrial applications. Amerex performs all manufacturing in Trussville, AL. The current Trussville campus contains 350,000 square feet of manufacturing, distribution, and office space on 100 acres. Amerex currently produces around 15,000 fire extinguishers per day in Trussville with the ability to increase that output as the market demands. There are approximately 450 Amerex employees and more than 2,000 products, including parts, in our inventory line. There is a fire test building on site which is continuously used to develop and test new products and maintain our innovative and reliable reputation. The Amerex facility has been expanded in various stages over the years to reach its current size. The most recent phase of the expansion was completed a few years ago and added a 40,000 sq ft extension to increase receiving and storage capacity, as well as house our wiring harness production and some of the office personnel from HR and Manufacturing.

ArcelorMittal Calvert is recognized as one of the most advanced steel finishing facilities in the world and is highly complementary to ArcelorMittal’s existing portfolio of world-class assets. The facility includes a river terminal, hot strip mill, cold rolling mill, three hot-dip galvanizing lines, rail yard, and supporting infrastructure.

ULA is the nation’s most experienced space launch company with more than 120 consecutive launches and a 100% mission success rate. ULA brings the utmost precision, passion and purpose to one of the most technically complex, critical American needs: affordable, reliable access to space.

Bridgewater Interiors is one of the leading automotive seating manufacturing companies in the United States. We specialize in just-in-time (JIT) manufacturing, sequencing, and delivery of seating, overhead and center console systems. Since 1998, our highly skilled and diverse workforce has supplied automotive manufacturers with some of the highest quality products in the industry.

At Bridgewater Interiors, we’re providing customer-focused automotive interiors manufacturing services at industry-leading standards that fulfill the ideals of Minority Business Enterprise leadership and heed the responsibility of good corporate citizenship.

Constellium (NYSE: CSTM) is a global leader in the development and manufacturing of high-value-added aluminum products and solutions. We design and manufacture advanced alloys and engineered solutions for a range of applications, such as cars, beverage cans, airplanes, and more

The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company started in 1898 with just 13 workers producing bicycle and carriage tires. From that first bicycle tire, Goodyear quickly grew to become the world’s largest tire company, a title it earned in 1916 when it adopted the slogan “More people ride on Goodyear tires than on any other kind.”

Today, Goodyear has facilities across the world and annual sales of more than $15 billion. In addition to Goodyear-brand tires, we produce other well-respected international brand names, including Dunlop, Kelly, Fulda, Sava and Debica, and our non-tire business provides rubber products and polymers for a variety of markets.

Honda Manufacturing of Alabama employs 4,500+ associates in Lincoln, Ala. & is the sole producer of the Odyssey minivan, Pilot SUV & Ridgeline truck.

Human Dynamics Hyundai Power Transformers USA is a prominent manufacturer of high-quality power transformers and related equipment serving the North American electrical infrastructure market. As a Hyundai Electric & Energy Systems Co., Ltd. subsidiary, Human Dynamics combines global expertise with local insights to deliver reliable and efficient transformer solutions. The company is dedicated to innovation, safety, and sustainability, offering a range of products designed to meet the evolving needs of the energy sector and support the development of robust and resilient power grids.

The $1.7 billion plant is the company’s first U.S. manufacturing facility and employs more than 3,000 people with high-paying jobs and full benefits. Additionally, more than 72 suppliers have located businesses throughout North America to support the Hyundai plant. Altogether, these suppliers are expected to create 5,500 additional jobs with a combined capital investment of $500 million.

Lockheed Martin’s Pike County Operations facility is a manufacturing, final assembly, test and storage operation for many of the missile programs supported by Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control (MFC). Located in Troy, Alabama, it has 38 structures on 3,863 acres, including four major production buildings.

Founded in 1984 and headquartered in Menomonee Falls, in the Greater Milwaukee area, Magnetek specializes in the development, manufacture and marketing of digital power and motion control systems for material handling, people-moving and mining applications. Our power control systems serve the needs of selected niches of traditional and emerging commercial markets that are becoming increasingly dependent on “smart” power.

Magnetek is:

• America’s largest supplier of digital drive systems for industrial cranes and hoists. We provide Energy Engineered^® drives, radio remote controls, braking and collision avoidance subsystems, motors and more.
• The world’s largest independent builder of digital motion control systems for elevators. We specialize in designing and manufacturing highly integrated Energy Engineered motion-control subsystems for elevators, serving the world’s foremost ‘lift’ builders .
• In underground mining, we focus on coal, building a new generation of digital drive systems that enable mining equipment to recover this resource for refinement to produce “clean coal” energy.

Mercedes-Benz U.S. International (MBUSI) started with a clean “sheet of paper” in terms of vehicle concept, in the way it would produce Mercedes-Benz quality in the design of the factory and in the establishment of a young corporate culture. The result is Mercedes-Benz vehicles that are continually setting the standard in the industry.

North American Lighting (NAL) is a member of the Japan-based Koito Group of companies, and has been manufacturing automotive lighting systems for vehicle manufacturers since 1983. Today, we are the largest independent lighting supplier to automotive OEMs in North America. With eight facilities in the United States, NAL provides advanced lighting technology, engineering design expertise, and state-of-the-art production capabilities to auto makers based in North America and beyond. This, combined with our global network of Koito Group companies, uniquely positions NAL to meet increasing global demand for safe, energy-efficient, eco-friendly, intelligent automotive lighting systems.

Outokumpu has had operations in Calvert, Ala., since 2012 producing high quality sustainable stainless steel. The Calvert facility employees nearly 1000 team members directly, and hundreds indirectly through necessary independent contractors that are needed to maintain business operations. The Calvert mill is the most technically advanced stainless steel miss in the United States with a strong business growth focused on strategic priorities, growing capabilities, and growing demand. Our core principals include, safety, sustainability, growth from productivity, and attracting and retaining talent to the great Mobile area.

Teledyne Brown Engineering, Inc. is an industry leader in engineered systems and advanced manufacturing. The Company provides full-spectrum systems engineering, integration, manufacturing, and lifecycle sustainment solutions to the marine, aviation, aerospace, defense, energy and environment markets. Teledyne Brown has expertise in systems integration, technology development, hardware design, prototype development, system test and evaluation, advanced manufacturing, performance-based logistics solutions, and operations and maintenance.

Airbus is an international pioneer in the aerospace industry. We are a leader in designing, manufacturing and delivering aerospace products, services and solutions to customers on a global scale. We aim for a better-connected, safer and more prosperous world.

Asahi Kasei Plastics North America is a leading provider of advanced plastic solutions, specializing in high-performance materials that enhance a wide range of industries. A subsidiary of Asahi Kasei Corporation, a global innovator headquartered in Japan, the North American division focuses on delivering cutting-edge plastics and composites for automotive, industrial, and consumer applications. With a commitment to quality and sustainability, Asahi Kasei Plastics North America leverages state-of-the-art technology and research to help its customers achieve their performance and environmental goals.

For more than a quarter century, OEMs and their top tier suppliers have relied on
the skilled and experienced team at Decatur Plastic Products (DPP), consistently awarding DPP their Preferred Supplier Status.

Earning that level of achievement isn’t easy. But the DPP team truly understands production costs, what makes a quality product, and how to keep your jobs on track. When expert engineering and design assistance is combined with materials, production, assembly and finishing expertise, you can rely on us to help you move your product to market − fast.

Manufacturers in nearly every industry find that Decatur Plastic Products is their injection molded plastics answer to higher quality and lower true total costs:

But high quality is only part of the story. You also want a resource that is highly responsive to your needs, as was the case when Nissan experienced a sudden supplier failure. When you can’t afford to be down, we won’t let you down.

Nearly everything. Almost anything.

Large. Small. Simple. Complex. Single or multiple components. All of your injection molded plastic and flocking requirements can be met here, no matter how intricate your project may be:

Additionally, we focus on your supply chain cost saving potential by providing inventory management programs, and warehousing and shipping services including:

As a trusted and dedicated supply chain partner, the innovative and experienced DPP professionals will find solutions for you that make true financial and operational sense. Count on a thorough understanding of your needs, applications, production time and budgets to provide you with the parts, components and assemblies you need, when you need them. 

Decatur Plastic Products also has the management depth and financial strength to add equipment and personnel or expand services in order to meet your most exacting requirements and demanding schedules.

At IPSCO, we strive to lead the industry in value, quality, service and innovation by designing, producing, selling and supporting steel tubular goods, premium connection products and related services. We bring together advanced technology with powerful manufacturing capabilities and talented people to create innovative tubular solutions that connect our customers with performance they can depend on day-in, day-out. Our commitment to innovation, our belief in people, dedication to safety and sustainability, constant focus on customer needs and emphasis on outstanding quality guide us in everything we do.

Meeting the Comprehensive Needs of our Customers
Our OCTG pipe is available with a choice of 28 market-leading proprietary connections as well as multiple connections that meet or exceed American Petroleum Institute (API) standards. While we are one of the largest producers of welded and seamless pipe and premium connections in North America, we remain close to our customers through our strategically located facilities in key energy producing regions. We have finishing facilities near our end users’ E&P operations, which allows us to provide our customers with customized technical solutions and to synchronize our production and logistics with evolving demands.

We were founded by experience. Our future is guaranteed through our performance and client satisfaction.

Micor Industries LLC was founded in 1999 to provide superior quality and more efficient manufacturing services to clients worldwide. We pride ourselves with a very efficient and clean working environment. We currently run multiple shifts of employees, all of whom are highly experienced and quality-focused.

FOCUSING ON TECHNOLOGY AND QUALITY
Located in Decatur, Alabama, MICOR Industries has state-of-the-art facilities, containing the latest in CNC and multi-axis machines and precision inspection equipment. We maintain high-quality assurance standards of AS9100 Rev D.

PROVIDING SOLUTIONS FOR EVERY INDUSTRY
MICOR Industries specializes in providing solutions to a variety of industries. We provide turnkey manufacturing, CNC Machining, welding, fabrication, laser marking, assembly, kitting, and engineering services to defense/military, aerospace, oil/gas, energy, and many others.

Some examples include:

Solutions to reduce cost and lead times 

Design for manufacturing ideas 

Customer/Supplier Engineering Collaboration 

STAYING CURRENT TO GIVE THE BEST SERVICE
In today’s fast-moving world, we are always looking for new processes and technologies to serve our customers.

Some examples include:

Continuous Improvement Programs 

Continuing Education 

Capital Outlay Planning (facilities/equipment) 

Before baseball was donned “America’s Pastime” and before the word “Fitted” became a noun, one family embarked on a journey that would revolutionize and redefine the headwear industry.

SPRINTURF has more than 1,700 turf installations in leading sports programs, colleges, universities and professional athletic teams across North America and abroad. Its high-performing, dual-yarn systems are manufactured in the USA at SPRINTURF facilities in Alabama and Georgia. Founded in the 1990’s and acquired by Integrated Turf Solutions (ITS) in 2010, SPRINTURF is the only company in North America that extrudes 100% of its fibers in-house and in the USA.

SPRINTURF leads the market in manufacturing and product innovation from its two stateside facilities. In the Dadeville, Alabama facility, machines extrude the full range of polyethylene, polypropylene and nylon yarns, which also include multi-shape and dual-color spinneret monofilament yarns, and the exclusive range of mono-tape fibers. The Chatsworth, Georgia manufacturing plant houses the tufting, urethane coating, and “Easy-Bac” operations for SPRINTURF.

SPRINTURF leads the industry with its trusted Ultrablade, a parallel long slit fiber system, while its dual fiber Ultrablade MM and DFE Systems are proven artificial turf system favorites in leading high school and collegiate sports programs throughout the country. The Ultrablade MX features a 260 micron elliptical shaped monofilament fiber that provides exceptional durability and a natural grass look.