Ariens CEO among SME international award recipients

The Society of Manufacturing Engineers will recognize the recipients of the 2007 SME International Honor Awards at its International Awards Gala on March 26. The gala takes place in conjunction with SME’s annual meeting and WESTEC 2007 exposition and conference.

The award recipients are selected and recognized for their significant contributions to the field of manufacturing engineering in the areas of manufacturing technologies, processes, technical writing, education, research, management and service to the society.

“The International Awards Gala serves as an opportunity to celebrate the unique contributions of leaders of the manufacturing community,” said SME president Brian Holmes. “These individuals have worked diligently to strengthen the manufacturing community through engineering research, technology, process improvements, education or service to our industry. We commend these individuals for the exceptional work they have done, and are doing, to continually advance manufacturing worldwide.”

The 2007 SME International Honor Award recipients are:

• Daniel T. Ariens, president and CEO of the Ariens Company, is recognized with the Eli Whitney Productivity Award for his distinguished accomplishments in improving capability within the broad concept of orderly production.
• Charles D. Cox, FSME, LSME, CMfgE, PE, president, Southern Manufacturing Consultants, is recognized with the Joseph A. Siegel Service Award for his significant unique contributions which benefit the Society of Manufacturing Engineers.
• Warren R. DeVries, PhD, FSME, dean of the College of Engineering and Information Technology at the University of Maryland, is being recognized with the SME Albert M. Sargent Progress Award for his significant accomplishments in the field of manufacturing processes, methods and systems.
• Yoram Koren, PhD, FSME, Paul Goebel Professor and director, National Science Foundation Engineering Research Center for Reconfigurable Manufacturing Systems at the University of Michigan, is recognized with the SME Gold Medal for his outstanding service to the manufacturing engineering profession through published literature, technical writings and lectures.
• Richard P. McDermott, PhD, president of FormTech Industries LLC, is the recipient of the Donald C. Burnham Manufacturing Management Award. This award recognizes McDermott’s exceptional success in the integration, the infrastructure and processes of manufacturing through innovative use of resources.
• Manfred Weck, Dr. Ing chair of Machine Tools, Technical University of Aachen Germany. He is recognized with the SME Frederick W. Taylor Research Medal for his significant published research leading to a better understanding and application of manufacturing processes.
• Project Lead The Way Inc. is recognized with the SME Education Award for developing manufacturing-related curricula, fostering sound training methods and inspiring students.

The SME International Honor Awards recognize exceptional personal accomplishments and contributions to the field of manufacturing engineering in the areas of manufacturing technologies, processes, technical writing, education, research, management or service to the society. SME members and non-members are encouraged to nominate individuals from industry, academia and government who have made a notable impact in these areas. The annual deadline for International Honor Award nominations is June 1. For more information on SME's International Awards & Recognition Program, contact nominations@sme.org.