By Krystal Smalley
ksmalley@wbcowqel.com
IB Tech employees know a thing or two about making quality products and Honda is taking notice.
Honda, IB Tech’s long-time partner, awarded the Bucyrus company the Excellence in Value Award, which recognized the company for its “continuous dedication to the achievement of value creation for January 2013 through December 2013.” The award was presented at a special ceremony at IB Tech Tuesday morning.
The factory shut down for the morning as it invited its associates to join in on the celebration on IB Tech’s front lawn.
“First and foremost, I want to thank our associates. The reason Honda is here today is because of you,” Steve Crall, Vice President of the Administration Department at IB Tec,said to a round of applause.
Dave Williamson of the Crawford County Education and Economic Development Partnership spoke at the awards ceremony.
“The original investment (of IB Tech) has been parlayed into a real powerhouse of a company here in the automotive industry and in Crawford County’s economy,” Williamson said. “For the residents of the community, it’s about jobs. It’s about income, security, stability.
“Our plant, IB Tech, is a whole lot more than production, sales, profit and income, security benefits, stability taxes. This plant provides inspiration for its fellow businesses and it provides hope for this community,” added Williamson.
“We’re not here because of Honda,” said Honda Department Manager Mike Lapham, “we’re here because of all of you. We are very appreciative of all the effort, all the time that is spent that is put in to the product that you ship to us and that satisfies our customers.”
Of Honda’s 650 suppliers in North America, IB Tech was one of a few that was able to compete on such a level.
Line team leader Marc Jackson received the award on behalf of the IB Tech employees. Jackson has worked at IB Tech since 2011.
“I feel proud,” said Jackson, “I feel proud. I speak on behalf of all my hard-working employees that I work with every day, it’s just a great honor to receive this award, the recognition that we got for this award. We’re very proud.”
“We’re very excited about the award and appreciative of all the efforts of our associates,” said Steve Crall, Vice President of the Administration Department at IB Tech. “This is just a special day for us. We’re celebrating by doing a cookout with our associates, every shift, all day long.”