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IW Best Plants

The goal of IW's Best Plants award program is to recognize plants, located in North America, that are on the leading edge of efforts to increase competitiveness, enhance customer satisfaction and create stimulating and rewarding work environments.

Download a 2010 IW Best Plants Application.


IndustryWeek Names 2010 Best Plants Finalists
Manufacturing excellence perseveres even in the wake of turbulent economic conditions. So demonstrate the 20 finalists in IndustryWeek's 2010 Best Plants competition, IW's annual salute to manufacturing excellence and dedication to continuous improvement. Now in its 21st year, the search for 10 winning manufacturing facilities from across North America has been narrowed to this group of 20 finalists.

Finalists in the 2010 competition represent all countries that comprise North America. In the United States, only two states -- Massachusetts and North Carolina -- lay claim to more than a single finalist: Both have two. Otherwise, U.S. finalists range as far east as North Berwick, Maine, and as far west as Austin, Texas. Canada lays claim to a single finalist, while Mexico has three representatives among this year's finalists.

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IW Best Plants Articles & News
IndustryWeek Names 2010 Best Plants Finalists

Medical products, automotive industry equipment, electronics for the defense industry, and furniture, burial caskets and power tools are among the products manufactured by the 2010 class of finalists.

Highlights from the 2010 IW Best Plants Conference

Take a visual tour of IndustryWeek's annual gathering to celebrate the spirit of continuous improvement and the operational excellence of the IW Best Plants winners.

In Search of Manufacturing Excellence

Don't miss the opportunity to share your story.

Timken Chief Warns Against Protectionism

Says manufacturers should embrace globalization and focus on speedier innovation to remain competitive.

2009 IW Best Plants Winners: Focused on Excellence

World-Class Manufacturing flourishes among IndustryWeek's 2009 Best Plants Winners.

Batesville Casket Co.: IW Best Plants Profile 2009

Creating a Culture of Self Improvement: Lean isn't just a project at Batesville Manchester; it's becoming part of the plant's foundation.

Carrier - Carlyle Compressor Facility: IW Best Plants Profile 2009

Unwavering Focus: At Carrier - Carlyle Compressor Facility, ACE methodology drives a structured approach to excellence.

E-Z-GO: IW Best Plants Profile 2009

E-Z-GO Charts a Course for Competitiveness: Benchmarking initiatives and employee engagement help increase market share and profitability.

General Cable Corp. - Altoona Plant: IW Best Plants Profile 2009

Competing With the World: With savvy market moves and a passion for continuous improvement, the General Cable Altoona plant is meeting the competition head on and winning.

General Cable - Piedras Negras: IW Best Plants Profile 2009

Operators Lead the Way: An empowered workforce is the foundation of success for General Cable's Piedras Negras, Mexico, facility.

 
IW Best Plants Winners

Scan records for all winners, from 1990-2009 or view a complete list of all IW Best Plants winners.



2010 IW Best Plants Competition

Competition Guidelines
View general information about North America's Best Plants program, such as eligibility requirements, the competition timetable and the selection process.



2011 IW Best Plants Conference

Call For Speakers -- 2011 Best Plants Conference

IndustryWeek's Best Plants Conference has been the premier advocate for continuous improvement and operational excellence since 1993.

Your manufacturing knowledge came from spending hours on crafting your skill, in a focused and structured manner. Here's your opportunity to share your expertise to the manufacturing professionals attending the IW Best Plants Conference.

The purpose of the IW Best Plants Conference is to enhance continuous improvement in the industry by providing top rate content and speakers in exciting and interactive environments. It connects leaders/peers in tracks that debate hot, forward-thinking topics, introduce new tools and techniques, and provide new ways to uncover creativity and innovation in both individuals and teams.

Interested? Click here to fill out our Call for Speakers form

Register Now -- 2011 Best Plants Conference

Find out what makes IW Best Plants winners the 10 best manufacturing plants in North America. Their award-winning strategies are the focus of IndustryWeek's Best Plants Conference in Atlanta on April 4-6, 2011. Please see the IW Best Plants Conference site for more information.

Plant tour registration is first-come, first-served, so register today to get your choice of plant tours.



Best Plants Videos

How and Why to be an IW Best Plants Winner: All about the IW Best Plants Program
IndustryWeek Best Plants awards coordinator Jill Jusko, discusses the benefits of being an IW Best Plant and walks you through the IW Best Plants application.

Best Plants Winners Interviews -- Cargill Corn Milling-Team Wahpeton
Ron Fiala, Total Quality Manager and Red Geurts, General Manager/Assistant Vice President, from 2007 IW Best Plants winner Cargill Corn Milling-Team Wahpeton.

Best Plants Winners Interviews -- Rieter Automotive Canadian Carpet
Tim Quinlan, Manufacturing Manager, from 2007 IW Best Plants winner Rieter Automotive Canadian Carpet.

Best Plants Winners Interviews -- Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control at Orlando
Mel Schubert and Matthew McCloud from 2007 IW Best Plants winner Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control at Orlando.

Lockheed Martin MFC Orlando Fire Control Factory Reconfiguration Video
Defense contractor does double-time reconfiguration of factory floor (time-lapse video).

See more videos, including presentation sessions from the IW Best Plants Conference



Best Practices from IndustryWeek's Best Plants

Continuous Improvement E-Newsletter
Pick up pointers from the top manufacturers in North America, and identify action steps that can make your facility shine. The Continuous Improvement e-newsletter will give you previously unpublished best practices, benchmarking charts, and lessons learned -- straight from the winners and finalists of IndustryWeek's annual Best Plants competition.

Subscribe today.