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    1. Plant Operations

    Composite Manufacturing Leaders Receive Recognition

    April 29, 2014
    "As composites manufacturing continues to evolve and become more innovative in the materials and processes used, it's important to acknowledge the individuals and companies helping advance its study and usage in educational institutions and on the shop floor," said industry group SME.

    SME‘s Composites Manufacturing Tech Group annually presents the Composites Manufacturing Awards in effort to highlight the contributions made within the composites manufacturing industry.

    “As composites manufacturing continues to evolve and become more innovative in the materials and processes used, it’s important to acknowledge the individuals and companies helping advance its study and usage in educational institutions and on the shop floor,” said Louis C. Dorworth, division manager for Abaris Training Resources Inc., and chair of SME’s Plastics, Composites & Coatings Community.

    Fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) composites are lightweight and do not corrode, finding their way into the design of many new products as the material of choice across many industries, from aerospace to automotive to wind energy and more.

    The J.H. “Jud” Hall Composites Manufacturing Award, created in 1986, is presented annually to an individual who has contributed to composites manufacturing or tooling technology through leadership, technical developments, patents or educational activities.

    This year’s Hall Award recipient is Mamidala Ramulu, PhD, Boeing-Pennell professor of engineering and professor of mechanical engineering at the University of Washington. Ramulu, an educator since 1982, has contributed to composites manufacturing in the fields of traditional machining. He has guided dozens of students through master’s and doctoral programs in composite manufacturing.

    The 2014 Excellence in Composites Manufacturing Award was also presented. Launched in 2011, this international award recognizes companies that have excelled in manufacturing products made from advanced composite materials, by either developing an innovative manufacturing process technique or providing superior service, quality or cost-reduction initiatives that have helped advance the composite manufacturing industry.

    The 2014 recipient of this award is ATK Aerospace Structures for the work it has contributed in composites application and technology development for more than 50 years. ATK is an industry leader in tooling and automated manufacturing techniques used in manufacturing advanced composite structures.

    About the Author

    Adrienne Selko | Senior Editor - MH&L, IW, & EHS Today

    Adrienne Selko has written about many topics over the 17 years she has been with Endeavor Business Media and currently focuses on workforce development strategies. Previously Adrienne was in corporate communications at a medical manufacturing company as well as a large regional bank.

    She is the author of Do I Have to Wear Garlic Around My Neck? which made the Cleveland Plain Dealer's best sellers list. She is a senior editor at Material Handling & Logistics, EHS Today, and IndustryWeek. 

    Editorial Mission Statement:

    Manufacturing is the enviable position of creating products, processes, and policies that solve the world’s problems. When the industry stepped up to manufacture what was necessary to combat the pandemic, it revealed its true nature. My goal is to showcase the sector’s ability to address a broad range of workforce issues including technology, training, diversity & inclusion, with a goal of enticing future generations to join this amazing sector.

    Why I Find Manufacturing Interesting: 

    On my first day working for a company that made medical equipment such as MRIs, I toured the plant floor. On every wall was a photo of a person, mostly children. I asked my supervisor why this was the case and he said that the work we do at this company has saved these people’s lives. “We never forget how important our work is and everyone’s contribution to that.” From that moment on I was hooked on manufacturing.

    I have talked with many people in this field who have transformed their own career development to assist others. For example, companies are hiring those with disabilities, those previously incarcerated, and other talent pools that have been underutilized. I have talked with leaders who have brought out the best in their workforce, as well as employees doing their best work while doing good for the world.