IndustryWeek’s 2026 annual search for operational excellence across North American manufacturing has reached a milestone. Six manufacturing plants located in the United States, Mexico and Canada have been named finalists in the 2026 IndustryWeek Best Plants Awards competition following a robust judging process.
The IW Best Plants Awards program, which was established in 1990, recognizes manufacturing plants that are on the leading edge of efforts to increase competitiveness, enhance customer satisfaction, and create stimulating and rewarding work environments.
These six finalists have provided evidence of strong, ongoing efforts to improve quality, raise productivity and build teams of problem-solvers on the factory floors and throughout all levels of leadership. They have shown that safety is imperative, and customers and suppliers are key team members.
We applaud their efforts. Without further ado, the 2026 IW Best Plants finalists are:
Armstrong World Industries - Hilliard Plant
Hilliard, Ohio
Bullen Ultrasonics - Miller Williams Facility
Eaton, Ohio
Cooper Standard El Jarudo
Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico
Inline Plastics Corp.
Salt Lake City, Utah
Intertape Polymer Group
Carbondale, Illinois
LB Foster Rail Technologies Corp.
Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
These six finalists represent three countries, three U.S. states and a wide variety of manufactured products, from food containers, ceiling tiles and pressure sensitive tape to precision machining services, fuel rails and cooling hoses, and railroad products.
And while we salute the finalists’ efforts and achievements, their IndustryWeek Best Plants Awards competition journey continues. Round Two is next. Our judges will be requesting further information and clarification from these manufacturing plants as we continue our search for the best of the best.
Later this summer, we will choose the IW Best Plants Awards winners and share their names with you. Moreover, we will share their stories of excellence—the practices and people, challenges, stumbles and victories that built manufacturing plants worth celebrating and emulating.
We’ll see you then.
