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The Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal has named Industrial Louvers Inc. President and CEO Jo Reinhardt as our 2023 Minnesota Manufacturing Awards Career Achievement honoree. These awards recognize some of the industry leaders who are driving the state's economy.
Reinhardt has lead Delano-based ILI for nearly 25 years, and has been with the company, which manufactures custom architectural metal products, for more than 40 years. She recently has navigated ILI through staffing shortages, supply-chain disruptions and a global pandemic. She promotes sustainability and environmental initiatives, as well as diversity and inclusion efforts and community programs. She also leads sister company Verta Inc., an architectural metal coatings company.
The Business Journal also is recognizing two Emerging Leaders in Manufacturing this year. Nate Aguilar is vice president of manufacturing at Starkey, and Jessica Ehrlichmann is vice president, strategic sourcing, sustainability and safety at Bayport-based Andersen Corp.
Aguilar has been with the Eden Prairie-based hearing aid manufacturer for four years, starting as a plant manager before being promoted to director of American operations, then VP. His leadership has lead to several industry awards for Starkey, as well as an increase in service levels, and new technology and product launches.
Ehrlichmann joined the window and door manufacturer in 2009, holding various positions in operations, quality and engineering. During the pandemic, she helped minimize business disruptions, and earlier this year, she led Andersen to participate in MBOLD, a Greater MSP initiative focused on building a circular economy, "with the aim of cutting plastic waste and reducing greenhouse gas emissions."
Our 2023 company honorees are:
- Excellence in Training & Education: American Crystal Sugar Co.
- Manufacturer of the Year — Extra Small: The Packaging Lab
- Manufacturer of the Year — Small: Enova Illumination
- Manufacturer of the Year — Medium: D&M Industries
- Manufacturer of the Year — Large: nVent Electric
- Product Innovation of the Year: ABV Technology
- Sustainability Award: Alloy Hardfacing and Engineering Co. Inc.
- Sustainability Award: Pentair
- Woman-owned Manufacturer of the Year: Coremark Metals
The Business Journal will feature all 2023 Minnesota Manufacturing Awards honorees in more depth in the July 14 Minnesota Manufacturing Awards special section. To read about past honorees, visit here.