The Manufacturing Leadership Council developed the Manufacturing Leadership Awards to honor manufacturing companies and leaders that are shaping the future of global manufacturing. Originated in 2005, the Manufacturing Leadership Awards have honored more than a thousand innovative projects and outstanding leaders from around the world.
Manufacturing Leadership Awards FAQ
The ML Awards are for manufacturing companies and individual leaders within the manufacturing industry, from any industry and at any location in the world. Anyone can nominate a ML Award candidate by describing their high-impact manufacturing-related projects and achievements using the online nomination form. The project and individual achievements described in the form will be evaluated and scored by our distinguished panel of judges. Technology and consulting partners may submit entries to recognize their manufacturing clients or customers so long as the manufacturer has approved the nomination. Partners who submit winning entries will be recognized with a Partner Award.
There are 11 award categories, nine for projects and two for individuals. The complete list is on the awards home page.
When reviewing nominations, the MLC editorial team may reassign entries to a different category if it is determined that such a change would allow the entry to be judged more competitively against similar entries. For further assistance in regards to categories, please complete this inquiry form and a member of the MLC team will reach out directly.
The only cost to participate is the $295 nomination fee. There is no fee to license, receive, or promote the award. Manufacturing Leadership Council members receive one complimentary project nomination and one complimentary individual nomination with their membership. In addition, all winners are invited to attend the Manufacturing Leadership Awards Gala at no charge.
The deadline for the 2022 Manufacturing Leadership Awards is December 20, 2021.
PDF versions of the nomination forms are available for reference purposes when gathering content and materials for submitting an entry. Please note that the sample forms are for guidance only – the nominations must be submitted through the online nomination form.
Link to project nomination form (all project categories)
Link to Digital Transformation Leadership (individual) form
Link to Next-Generation Leadership (individual) form
All information included in the nomination form is considered confidential and will only be viewed by editorial staff along with the ML Awards expert judges. The Manufacturing Leadership Council may draw on the information in preparing profiles of the ML Awards winners, but inclusion of nomination form information in these profiles will be subject to the approval of the winning company.
ML Award winners are selected based on evaluations by a panel of expert judges comprised of experienced manufacturing operations executives from companies across many different industries. The entries that receive the highest scores are designated as ML Award winners. Top score winners in each category are selected as a High Achiever.
Yes! Any single enterprise may submit up to five project entries. However, a company may win only three project awards in any single season. There is no limit on nominations for individuals.
ML Award winners will be notified in by early March 2022, immediately followed by a public announcement. Winners are announced through press releases, e-newsletters, and social media posts from the MLC and the NAM. Winners will also receive recognition during the Manufacturing Leadership Awards gala, scheduled for June 2022. Winners will be contacted with additional information about gala participation.