5th Annual STEP Ahead Awards Recognize Women for Excellence in Manufacturing

5th Annual STEP Ahead Awards Recognize Women for Excellence in Manufacturing

The Manufacturing Institute Will Honor 130 Women with STEP Ahead Awards

WASHINGTON, March 1, 2017: The Manufacturing Institute announced they will award 130 women with the Women in Manufacturing STEP (Science, Technology, Engineering and Production) Ahead Award. The STEP Ahead Awards honor women who have demonstrated excellence and leadership in their careers and represent all levels of the manufacturing industry, from the factory-floor to the C suite.

For the fifth year anniversary, the STEP Ahead theme is “IMPACT.” STEP Ahead women all across the U.S. have made a pledge to promote the importance of women in manufacturing, and have made an impact on their companies and communities. New research by The Manufacturing Institute, Deloitte and APICS Supply Chain Council found that compared to others participating in a women in manufacturing survey, STEP Ahead Honorees and Emerging Leaders have been promoted more often, have a clearer vision of their career path and aspirations, and are committed to encouraging future generation of women to pursue a career in manufacturing. The full report will be released at the 2017 STEP Ahead Awards, and will include data on the impact of women in manufacturing, as well as the impact STEP Ahead has had on the industry.

“Congratulations to these outstanding leaders. These women are making huge strides in this industry and are demonstrating what modern manufacturing careers entail – rewarding and fulfilling careers with limitless opportunity for growth. Today’s manufacturing employees are building and designing the future, and the 130 women being awarded are the ambassadors to move this industry forward,” said Jay Timmons, president and CEO, National Association of Manufacturers.

The STEP Ahead Awards, part of the larger STEP Ahead initiative, launched to examine and promote the role of women in the manufacturing industry through recognition, research, and leadership for attracting, advancing, and retaining strong female talent.

In the Skills Gap: 2015 and Beyond study, The Manufacturing Institute and Deloitte found that 80 percent of American manufacturing companies have a moderate to severe shortage of available, qualified workers, and less than a third of the manufacturing workforce are women. And, according to new women in manufacturing research conducted by The Manufacturing Institute, Deloitte and APICS Supply Chain Council, less than 10 percent of women chose traditional manufacturing industries as the best in attracting and retraining women. Closing the skills gap includes closing the gender gap.

On April 20, The Manufacturing Institute will recognize 130 recipients of the STEP Ahead Awards at a reception in Washington, D.C. The STEP Ahead Awards program will highlight each honoree’s story, including their leadership and accomplishments in manufacturing.

“These women exemplify the path an exciting career in manufacturing can take,” said Heidi Alderman, 2017 Chair of STEP Ahead and Senior Vice President of Intermediates North America, BASF Corporation and STEP Ahead Chair. “STEP Ahead recognizes women nationwide for their significant achievements to the field of manufacturing, and the positive impact on their companies and the industry as a whole.”

Learn more about The Manufacturing Institute’s continued leadership on women in manufacturing here.

MEDIA RSVP: Members of the media interested in covering or attending the awards gala should contact Cristina Crawford at ccrawford@nam.org. To learn more about the 2017 STEP Ahead Awards, click here.

2017 STEP Ahead Award Honorees & Emerging Leaders*

*Asterisk indicates an Emerging Leader

RED indicates IMA Member Company