MITGI a finalist for manufacturing award

Midwest Industrial Tool Grinding Inc., Hutchinson, Minn., is a first-time finalist in two categories for the Minnesota Business 2014 Manufacturing Awards. Awarded annually by Minnesota Business magazine, the awards recognize achievements in 10 categories. This year, the toolmaker is a finalist in two categories: Best in Class (small company, 1 to 50 employees), recognizing companies for overall excellence in the manufacturing industry in Minnesota, and Image Award, honoring an organization for improving the industry's image and showing the appeal of careers in manufacturing. 

In the past few years, MITGI has grown from a 2,000 sq.-ft. facility into a 20,000-sq.-ft. facility, doubling the number of employees, tripling the amount of manufacturing equipment and increasing sales an average of 35 percent per year. "At MITGI, our company culture encourages a balance between process and innovation, encouraging employees to use their talents to improve quality and production," said Eric Lipke, MITGI General Manager. "As a Best in Class finalist, we're honored to be considered in a category that recognizes excellence in small and growing manufacturers." 

According to Lipke, MITGI is dedicated to encouraging and supporting young men and women entering into manufacturing-related programs. "Making the decisions to start working with area schools in an advisory capacity, offering scholarships and internships, and promoting careers in manufacturing was easy," he said. "The owners at MITGI believe that they need to be good corporate citizens and recognize schools as community assets. We're proud to be finalist for the Image Award and all of the efforts that companies make to help support the growth of manufacturing in Minnesota." 

Finalists in each category will be featured in the October 2014 issue of the Minnesota Business magazine, and winners will be announced at an event in downtown Minneapolis on Sept. 23.