from staff
Swisher International won three awards Tuesday from the First Coast Manufacturers Association in the group’s 2010 “Excellence in Manufacturing” awards competition.
Jacksonville-based Swisher, the world’s largest cigar maker, won in three categories.
Swisher, based in the Springfield area, was named “Large Manufacturer of the Year” and won the “Founders Service Award” and the “Economic Impact Award.”
The group said Swisher, whose sales remained strong during the economic downturn, was recognized as large manufacturer of the year for its continued contributions in 2010 and received the founders award for its long-term support of the group, its mission and its members.
It won the economic impact award for its continued large-scale capital investment in plant and equipment to maintain its international competitive position.
The First Coast Manufacturers Association is a nonprofit trade group in Northeast Florida.
Among the other awards:
• Goodrich Engineered Polymer Products was named “Mid-Size Manufacturer of the Year” for being a leading supplier of composite structures and acoustic materials for the defense and aerospace markets for more than 50 years. Its contribution to the local economy includes spending more than $2 million with Jacksonville businesses.
• Pal-King Pallets Inc. was named “Small Manufacturer of the Year” for its environmental stewardship, featuring its motto toward recycling of pallets as “Reuse,” “Repair,” “Recycle” and “Renew.”
• Aerotek was named “Associate of the Year.” The privately held staffing company provides customized staffing for industries, ranging from single direct placement recruits to high-volume contract and seasonal engagements.
• WhiteWave Foods won the “Education Award.” An anchor in the Beaver Street area for decades, WhiteWave made the transition to become a leading manufacturer of soymilk. In 2010, it launched a major Six Sigma awareness training for all employees. Two MBA candidates and other employees have been aided through its tuition reimbursement program.
• Vistakon, a division of Johnson & Johnson Vision Care Inc., won the “Environmental Protection Award.“ Vistakon manufactures Acuvue brand contact lenses in Jacksonville. It promotes community environmental initiatives through its ”Adopt a Park” program and its nearly seven-ton contribution of recycled paper to the school system.
In the past five years it has reduced C02 (carbon dioxide) emissions by more than 10 percent, electricity by 12 percent and water consumption by 25 percent while increasing production more than 5 percent a year. The manufacturers group said Vistakon has reduced hazardous wastes by 99.6 percent in three years.