IMA's 2026 MFG Day Celebration!
The Indiana Manufacturers Association celebrated its 125th year of advocating and serving the Indiana manufacturing community at its annual Manufacturing Day Celebration on September 30, 2026.
IMA's Manufacturing Day Celebration, held at the Biltwell Event Center in Indianapolis, is part of The Manufacturing Institute’s national MFG Day movement, which serves to shine a spotlight on manufacturing and provide an inside look for the next generation of makers to help build a pipeline of highly skilled workers.
This year’s event kicked off with a networking reception and exhibition hall, giving attendees plenty of time to mingle, explore displays, and connect with fellow business leaders.
Following opening remarks by IMA Chair Paul Perkins of Amatrol, Inc., based in Jeffersonville, Indiana, and IMA CEO/President Andrew Berger, the keynote address was delivered by Mike Griffith, President of Major Tool & Machine.
The luncheon culminated in the announcement of the 2026 Indiana Manufacturers Hall of Fame Inductees and the 2026 Manufacturing Excellence Award Winners.
Manufacturers Hall of Fame Inductees are honored for their long-time commitment, investment, and ongoing growth to elevate Indiana’s manufacturing industry and economy.
2026 Hall of Fame Inductees:
Indiana Gratings, Inc. (Martinsville) - established in 1976 and a member of the IMA since 1987.
Infinity Molding & Assembly, Inc. (Mount Vernon) - established in 1982 and an IMA member since 1995.
The Manufacturing Excellence Awards celebrate outstanding achievements in multiple categories. Selected individuals and companies are chosen based on nominations submitted by industry members and peers.
2026 Manufacturing Excellence Awards Winners:
Community Impact Award: Hitachi Global Air Power (Michigan City).
Emerging Leader Award: Heather Griffith, Goodwill Commercial Services (Indianapolis).
Manufacturing Talent Champion Award: Brian Evans, Aidex Educational Systems (Rossville).
Outstanding Woman Leader in Manufacturing Award: Samantha Bernotus, RHI Magnesita (Hammond).
Safety Champion Award: Melanie Komasinski, Kennedy Tank & Manufacturing Co., Inc. (Indianapolis).
Lifetime Achievement Award: Clay Barnes, MPI Corporation (Logansport/Indianapolis).
Congratulations to these outstanding companies and individuals for the outstanding work they do on behalf of the Hoosier state and their individual companies.
Codey Lenahan, President of Indiana Gratings, Inc., located in Martinsville, Indiana accepted the company's Hall of Fame Induction Award from IMA President/CEO Andrew Berger.
Left to right: Ramiro Aguilar, Sara Brown and Mike Guido accepted the Community Impact Award on behalf of Hitachi Global Air Power, based in Michigan City
Brian Evans of Aidex Educational Systems, based in Rossville, Indiana, was the winner of the Manufacturing Talent Champion Award.
Melanie Komasinski of Kennedy Tank & Manufacturing was the winner of the Safety Champion Award. Presenting the award to her was Daniel Scott (right) of Safety Management Group.
Thad Sexton, President of Infinity Molding & Assembly, located in Mount Vernon, accepted his company's Hall of Fame Induction Award.
Heather Griffith of Goodwill Commercial Services, located in Indianapolis, was the winner of the Emerging Leader Award.
Samantha Bernotus of RHI Magnesita, located in Hammond, Indiana, was awarded the Outstanding Woman Leader in Manufacturing Award. Presenting the award to Samantha was Andy Jones (left) of Geyer Fire Protection, LLC, the sponsor of the award.
The 2026 Lifetime Achievement Award Winner was Clay Barnes (center), President of MPI Corporation. Clay is a long-time IMA supporter through his work on the board of directors and the IMA's Political Action Committee. Presenting the award to Clay was Josh Malancuk (left) of JM Tax Advocates, who sponsored the award.
Thanks to our
2026 MFG DAY Celebration Sponsors
Title Sponsor
Gold Sponsor
Silver Sponsor
Bronze Sponsors
CATERING
Patron Sponsors
2026 Manufacturing
Excellence Awards Sponsors
Outstanding Woman Leader in Manufacturing
Safety Champion
Award Sponsor
Lifetime Achievement
Award Sponsor
Past Hall of Fame Inductees
2016 Inductees
AES Indiana
Allison Payment Systems, LLC
AM General Corporation (Primary)
BP Whiting Business Unit (Primary)
Capital Machine Co., Inc.
Citizens Energy Group
Cleveland Cliffs Inc. (Primary)
Dana Fairfield Incorporated
Draper, Inc.
Ford Meter Box Company, Inc., The
Goshen Stamping LLC
Hammond Group, Inc.
Hammond Machine Works, Inc.
Ingredion
Kipp Brothers
Lilly Eli and Company
PQ Corporation, The
2020 Inductees
Duke Energy Indiana, LLC (Primary)
Ford Motor Company (Primary)
FRATCO, Inc.
Glas-Col, LLC (Primary)
Indiana Michigan Power (Primary)
MPI Corporation (Primary)
Muncie Power Products Inc.
Vibromatic Company, Inc.
Winamac Coil Spring Incorporated
2021 Inductees
Elliott Company of Indianapolis
IDI Composites International
Northern Indiana Public Service Co. (Primary)
Peerless Machine & Tool Corporation
R & R Engineering Company, Inc.
2017 Inductees
Batesville
Clabber Girl Corporation
Green & Company LLC, Thomas L., Div of Reading Bakery
Hill-Rom Company, Inc. (Primary)
Jessen Manufacturing Company, Inc.
Michigan City Paper Box Company
Mid-West Metal Products Co., Inc.
Myers Spring Company Inc.
Pfau's Sons Co., Inc., Geo.
Zimmer Biomet (Primary)
2022 Inductees
Arcwood Environmental
Boyer Machine & Tool Company, Inc.
Caterpillar Inc. (Primary)
Functional Devices, Inc.
Konrady Plastics, Inc.
Munster Steel Company Inc.
My-te Products Inc.
Stone City Products, Inc.
2018 Inductees
2023 Inductees
Alcoa Corporation
ALM/Great States Corporation (Primary)
Bloomfield Manufacturing Co., Inc.
CenterPoint Energy (Primary)
Gould Company, Inc., J. D.
Grote Industries, Inc.
International Paper Company (Primary)
Jasper Engine & Transmissions
Kennedy Tank & Mfg. Co., Inc.
Rochester Metal Products Corp.
Steel Tank & Fabricating Corp.
Wabash MPI
ARaymond Manufacturing Center NA, Inc.
Atlas Foundry Company, Inc.
BCI Solutions, Inc.
Brehob Corporation
Fort Wayne Metals Research Products
Haynes International, Inc.
Indiana Carton Company Inc.
Nucor Steel (Primary)
Overton & Sons Tool & Die Co., Inc. (Primary)
Subaru of Indiana Automotive, Inc.
2024 Inductees
2019 Inductees
Aero Industries Incorporated
Indiana Oxygen Company
Indiana Steel & Engineering Co.
Kimball International, Inc.
New York Blower Company (Primary)
Plymouth Foundry Inc.
United States Steel Corporation (Subsidiary)
Carman Industries, Inc.
Charleston Metal Products, Inc.
East Chic. Mach. Tool/Balemaster
General Motors Company (Primary)
Hiler Industries (Primary)
U.S. Granules Corporation
2025 Inductees
Dart Controls
Grain Millers
Stele Dynamics, Inc.