Page 6 - MetalForming-May-2018-issue

Editorial
Brad F. Kuvin
Five Reasons to Submit an Entry for the 2018 PMA Awards of Excellence
Entering and winning industry awards provides great value to manufacturers as they seek to promote themselves in a crowded marketplace for fabricated- and stamped- metal parts and assemblies. Just ask those companies that have earned Awards of Excellence from the Precision Metalforming Association (PMA) over the years, and have used the recognition to earn new business.
The awards—given in several categories including product development, innovation and technology, product and process design, use of process controls, quality, and training and education—recognize the high standards of achievement in our industry. Does the process of entering the awards competition take time and resources? Of course. But, the more important question is, is it worth the effort?
From my perspective, the answer is a resounding, “Yes.” And if you’ll allow me to steal from the website of 360 integrated PR, a UK public relations firm, I’ll explain. A recent blog post by the firm provides five solid reasons why metalformers should enter industry-award competitions, such as the PMA Awards of Excellence.
1) Staff recognition—“Industry awards provide a very visible way of recognizing the efforts of the specific staff who have worked on a particular project,” writes Philip Tutt of 360 integrated PR. “If the team is invited to attend the ceremony, so much the better.”
“Industry awards provide a very visible way of recognizing the efforts of the specific staff who have worked on a particular project.”
2) Driving employee engagement—Companies can use internal recognition of the project to spur on other employees. “The entry demonstrates what the company values,” Tutt says. “Smart employees say, ‘We could do that.’ In addition, internal presentation of the awards helps you share best practices throughout the company.”
3) Customer recognition—If the award entry involves a project completed for a specific customer, entering the competition “is a great way to enrich your relationship with the client,” Tutt writes. “Putting your joint activity forward for an award shows customers that you value your relationship with them.”
4) Networking/Influencer marketing—Optimize your industry recognition by fully lever- aging the awards ceremony. “Put your best people forward to attend,” Tutt says. “They can use the event to reinforce their contacts in the industry—such (events) attract buyers and influencers to whom your team can chat in a more relaxed setting.”
5) Brand enhancement/endorsement—Trade-media coverage of your award—in Metal- Forming magazine in this case—will enhance your brand and drive traffic to your website. “What better positive review could there be on your website,” Tutt writes, “than independent validation by your peers and influencers of the way you do business?”
The deadline for submitting entries for the PMA 2018 Awards of Excellence is June 30. You can view submission requirements and complete entry forms by visiting www.pma.org/awards. Winners will be recognized during a reception at FABTECH in Atlanta, GA, November 6, 2018. And yes, they also will be featured in the December 2018 issue of MetalForming.
Publisher/Editorial Director bkuvin@pma.org
4 MetalForming/May 2018
www.metalformingmagazine.com
© 2018 by PMA Services Inc. 6363 Oak Tree Blvd. Independence, OH 44131 216/901-8800 | fax: 216/901-9669 www.metalformingmagazine.com metalforming@pma.org
PMA President | Roy Hardy rhardy@pma.org
Publisher/Editorial Director | Brad F. Kuvin bkuvin@pma.org
Senior Editor | Louis A. Kren lkren@pma.org
Associate Editor | Joe Jancsurak jjancsurak@pma.org
Editorial Manager | Marlene F. O’Brien mobrien@pma.org
Art Director | Donna M. D’Amico ddamico@pma.org
Web/Graphic Designer | Mike Novatny mnovatny@pma.org
Production Manager | Susan Cubranich scubranich@pma.org
Circulation Manager | Melody Berendt mberendt@pma.org
Circulation Assistant | Terri Reid treid@pma.org
Sales and Marketing Staff
OH, Western NY, Western PA, Canada, International
MI, North Central, California Ryan King 773/414-9292 | rking@rkmediaadv.com
New England, Eastern NY, Eastern PA Frank Colonno 201/962-2759 | fjcolonno@optonline.net
South Atlantic, South Central
Bob West
678/377-5749 | metalform_bobwest@msn.com
Inside Sales Manager
Ilene Schwartz 216/901-8800 | ischwartz@pma.org
Marketing Coordinator | Drew Gutierrez dgutierrez@pma.org
Meetings & Events Manager | Kandyce Burgett kburgett@pma.org
All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part without permission is strictly prohibited.
Use smart phone to go to www.metalformingmagazine.com