Southwire’s Kentucky Plant in Hawesville, Ky., has been named Manufacturer of the Year for 2024 by the Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce. 

The award is given annually to a company who is a member of the Chamber and has demonstrated exceptional performance in innovation, growth, customer service and community involvement. 

“Receiving this award wouldn’t be possible without the support of the team members and their dedication,” said Michael Huff, value stream manager (VSM) at the Kentucky Plant. “This award shows that our facility is looked upon as one of the premier manufacturing facilities in the tristate area, not just by our peers but by members of the community,” 

Huff attended the award ceremony on Jan. 19, 2024, and accepted the award on behalf of the plant with fellow VSM James Russell. 

“I feel a great deal of pride to be a part of this award,” said Russell. “We have an outstanding group of people working here at this plant, and they all deserve to be recognized for their efforts. In our community and surrounding areas, Southwire is considered an excellent company to work for because of what we make here at the plant as well as for the impact we have on people.” 

The Manufacturer of the Year award is unique in that it recognizes winning organizations for both commercial success and their contributions to their communities. Through Giving Back initiatives like Project GIFT’s Back to School giveaway, the River Sweep riverbank clean-up and the Reindeer Run charity 5k, Southwire’s Kentucky Plant has proven to be worthy of this achievement. 

“It speaks volumes that the Chamber of Commerce from a neighboring city recognizes what we are doing here and chose to give the award to a business in another county,” said Brian Blair, plant manager. “It’s a true testament to what the team here accomplished in the last year.” 

With this recognition, the Kentucky Plant exemplifies Southwire’s dedication to providing excellent products, service and experiences to its customers, team members and communities.