FMA Announces Industry Award Winners

The Fabricators & Manufacturers Association (FMA) would like to congratulate Protolabs’ Rapid Manufacturing in Nashua, N.H., recipient of The FABRICATOR®’s 2019 Industry Award and FMA member Andrew (Andy) Gross, president and CEO at Alliance Steel LLC, Bedford Park, Ill., the recipient of the 2018 ASD Steel Executive of the Year Award.

2019 Industry Award

Since 2008, FMA and its flagship publication, The FABRICATOR, have been recognizing companies in the metal forming and fabricating industry that have successfully improved operations, attained business success, and contributed to both the local and industrial communities with an Industry Award.

This year’s 2019 Industry Award winner has earned their recognition, Rapid Manufacturing is a custom sheet metal fabrication and CNC machining company owned by Minnesota-based digital manufacturer Protolabs. Founded in 2001 by Jay Jacobs, the company started based off a desire to have quicker quotes and turn-around times from metal fabricators in the area. Jay took on the challenge and the company has since lived up to its name, growing to a $42 million operation.

Read the full story on Rapid by editor-in-chief Dan Davis.

Rapid will accept their award during The FABRICATOR’s Leadership Summit conference track of FMA’s Annual Meeting March 5 in Nashville.

2018 Steel Executive of the Year

The Association of Steel Distributors (ASD), a technology affiliate of FMA, has been recognizing individuals who have made lasting contributions to the steel distribution industry with the Steel Executive of the Year Award (formerly Steel Man of the Year) since 1956.

Andy Gross, president and CEO at Alliance Steel LLC, well represents this prestigious award.  He began his career in the steel business working for his father, Al Gross at Essak Steel in the late 1970s. Learning the steel business from the ground up, Andy went on to purchase Alliance Steel Corporation in 1997.  Forming its headquarters in Bedford Park, Ill. in 1999, Andy’s leadership has transformed a once small toll processor into a world-class flat-rolled steel service center. The company has continued its growth through the years and recently formalized plans to relocate its headquarters to Gary, Ind. The new facility will allow additional space, increased processing capacities, and a geographically improved location poising Alliance Steel for future success.

Andy has proudly served as president and chair of the ASD since 2017, as well as an FMA Board Member. He will be honored with a special celebration dinner on March 5. To learn more, visit fmanet.org/asddinner.

Industry Award Winners will be celebrated at the 2019 FMA Annual Meeting.