Chamber Business NewsFrom copper production and steelmaking to food products and beverages, Arizona’s manufacturing industry was in the spotlight as the Arizona Manufacturers Council (AMC) gathered last week for its annual Manufacturer of the Year Awards.
The event brought together manufacturing executives, business leaders, and elected officials to recognize companies and individuals helping drive one of Arizona’s most important industries.
The honorees represented a broad cross-section of the state’s manufacturing economy, including longtime Arizona employers, companies making significant new investments, and industry advocates who have helped strengthen the state’s business environment.
Here are some of the highlights from the celebration.
Florence Copper celebrates a major milestone
For Florence Copper, the recognition came during a milestone year.
The company began producing copper in February, becoming the country’s first major new source of copper in nearly two decades.
And production is ramping up quickly.
According to company representatives, Florence Copper produced nearly 14 million pounds of copper between the start of operations and the end of September.
The company also highlighted its use of an innovative in-situ copper recovery process, which allows it to extract copper without the traditional open-pit mining approach.
In accepting the award, Florence Copper representatives thanked the company’s employees and a long list of community partners, including the town of Florence, local elected officials, the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce, the Florence Unified School District, and state and county leaders.
Nucor continues to bet on Arizona
Steelmaker Nucor used its moment in the spotlight to highlight the role its products play in major construction and infrastructure projects.
From bridges to other large-scale applications, the company emphasized the importance of American-made steel.
Nucor said it’s on track to produce 300,000 tons of steel from its Arizona steelmaking operations, another sign of the company’s commitment to manufacturing in the state.
Company representatives thanked the AMC and Arizona Chamber of Commerce & Industry for recognizing manufacturers and advocating for policies that support the industry.
Shamrock Foods: More than a century of Arizona roots
Few companies can claim Arizona roots as deep as Shamrock Foods.
The family-owned company has called Arizona home for more than 100 years, growing into a major food manufacturer and distributor serving customers across the country.
Company representatives reflected on that history while accepting their award, emphasizing Shamrock’s commitment to Arizona communities and the employees who help produce and deliver its products nationwide.
For a company whose history stretches back more than a century, the recognition was another chapter in a longstanding Arizona success story.
Swire Coca-Cola: A global brand with a local footprint
Coca-Cola may be one of the world’s most recognizable brands, but representatives of Swire Coca-Cola reminded attendees that its operations have a distinctly local connection.
The company highlighted its Arizona manufacturing presence and the employees who help bring familiar beverages to consumers.
The company was recognized for its commitment to sustainability, including recycling, water stewardship, and community engagement.
Valley Forge and Bolt recognizes the people behind the products
Valley Forge and Bolt representatives used their time at the microphone to thank the AMC for the recognition and acknowledge the employees whose work has helped build the company.
The company, which has approximately 100 employees, was represented at the ceremony by several members of its team.
Its representative reflected on more than three decades of experience in the industry and expressed appreciation for the recognition.
The remarks were a reminder that behind Arizona’s manufacturing growth are the workers and teams who make it possible.
In addition to being recognized as Small Manufacturer of the Year, Valley Forge also won the Hottest Thing Made in Arizona competition for its Wireless SPC4 Load Indicating System, a technologically advanced industrial fastener that allows users to remotely monitor whether studs or bolts have lost their clamp load.
Rep. Michael Carbone recognizes the importance of infrastructure
The awards weren’t limited to companies.
State Rep. Michael Carbone was also recognized for his work on behalf of Arizona manufacturing and the broader business community.
Carbone reflected on his arrival at the Legislature four years ago and his early involvement in legislation addressing infrastructure needs.
He emphasized the importance of roads, water, and other infrastructure to Arizona’s continued economic development, describing those investments as fundamental responsibilities of government.
Carbone also acknowledged the work of his legislative colleagues and thanked the AMC and Arizona Chamber for their advocacy.
Steve Macias reflects on manufacturing’s growth
For Steve Macias of Pivot Manufacturing, winner of the Arizona Success Story award, the recognition was an opportunity to reflect on both his career and the evolution of Arizona’s manufacturing industry.
Macias recalled becoming involved with the Arizona Manufacturers Council roughly 25 years ago, when the organization and the state’s manufacturing sector looked considerably different.
He described the growth of the AMC and the expansion of Arizona’s manufacturing base, which now includes an increasingly diverse mix of companies and industries.
Even after decades in manufacturing, Macias made clear that he sees plenty of opportunity ahead, both for Pivot Manufacturing and for Arizona’s industrial economy.
Celebrating the people who make things
The awards ceremony offered a snapshot of the breadth of Arizona manufacturing.
There were companies with more than a century of history, businesses expanding their operations, manufacturers introducing new production methods and advocates helping ensure the industry has a voice at the state Capitol.
Their products may be different, but the honorees shared a common theme: a commitment to making things in Arizona, creating jobs, and contributing to the state’s economic future.
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