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Nominations for the 2026 Alabama Manufacturer of the Year (MOTY) Awards officially open next Monday, June 1, 2026, recognizing the companies that continue to drive innovation, workforce excellence, and economic growth across the state. Presented through a partnership between the Alabama Training Network (ATN), the Business Council of Alabama (BCA), and Manufacture Alabama, the awards program celebrates manufacturers that demonstrate outstanding leadership, operational performance, employee commitment, and community impact.
The Manufacturer of the Year Awards program honors Alabama manufacturers in four categories: Small Manufacturer (1–99 employees), Medium Manufacturer (100–399 employees), Large Manufacturer (400+ employees), and Emerging Manufacturer of the Year for companies in operation ten years or less. Manufacturers across Alabama are encouraged to nominate their company or another deserving organization that exemplifies excellence in manufacturing, innovation, workforce development, and continuous improvement.
Nominations will remain open through Friday, July 3, 2026, with completed applications due by Friday, July 24, 2026. Finalists will be recognized, and winners announced during the 2026 Alabama Manufacturer of the Year Awards Ceremony in Montgomery.
Companies interested in participating or learning more about the awards process can visit the MOTY website at the link below.
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Solutions-Driven Training for Alabama Industry
ATN continues to provide workforce training, technical assistance, and business solutions designed to help Alabama companies strengthen operations, improve productivity, and develop skilled employees. Through specialized teams in Agribusiness & Food Services, Continual Improvement, Environmental Health & Safety, Industrial Maintenance & Technology, and Leadership & Management Development, ATN delivers practical, hands-on solutions that support workforce excellence across a wide range of industries. Learn more about ATN’s services and statewide training opportunities at atn.org.
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Connecting Communities, Workforce, and Industry
ATN’s Business Development team continues to partner with chambers of commerce and community organizations across Alabama to help coordinate Lunch & Learn events that connect local businesses with valuable insight into workforce training and industry resources. These sessions give chamber members a snippet of ATN solutions that can strengthen employees, improve operations, and support long-term business success. Through these partnerships, ATN is able to share workforce development trends and build stronger connections between industry, education, and local communities across the state. Contact ATN's BDO team below.
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Building a Stronger Safety Culture at Ofi
When Todd Hinton joined Ofi as Safety Coordinator II just over a year ago, he quickly recognized an opportunity to strengthen the company’s workplace safety culture. While employees were committed and hardworking, many had limited exposure to formal safety practices and hazard recognition. Todd believed safety should be a shared responsibility across the organization, not solely owned by one department, and began taking steps to build greater employee involvement and awareness. Read more below.
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Scoping is Everything: How Contractors are Passing CMMC without Securing their Entire Network
Join us on Thursday, June 18, at 1:00 p.m. for an upcoming webinar focused on one of the most critical aspects of CMMC compliance: proper scoping. Improper scoping is one of the leading causes of increased costs and failed CMMC assessments, making it essential for organizations to define and manage their compliance boundaries clearly. During this webinar, attendees will learn how scoping decisions impact compliance requirements, assessment outcomes, and long-term sustainability, while gaining insight into strategies organizations are using to limit scope while still meeting CMMC expectations effectively.
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Etowah Update Workforce Panel at Gadsden State Community College
ATN was proud to participate in the recent Etowah Update workforce panel at Gadsden State Community College’s Advanced Manufacturing Center to discuss the state of workforce development in our county. These leaders focused on current trends in their fields as well as possible solutions.
A primary topic of conversation was changing the stigma of manufacturing and industrial careers from an early age and making our future workforce knowledgeable on potential options for career growth and financial gain!
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North Jefferson Leadership Summit
ATN is proud to participate in the North Jefferson Leadership Summit on Tuesday, June 23, at the Fultondale Event Center. During the event, ATN’s Grace Trevino will present a session on Conflict Resolution from 3:15–4:00 p.m., sharing practical strategies to help leaders navigate workplace challenges, improve communication, and strengthen team dynamics. Hosted by the North Jefferson Chamber of Commerce and presented by Avadian Credit Union, the summit is designed to equip local leaders with tools, fresh ideas, and meaningful connections to strengthen their businesses and communities.
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Building Alabama’s Future Wastewater Workforce
As Alabama’s wastewater workforce needs continue to grow, the ACCS Innovation Center is working alongside industry leaders to develop training that prepares the next generation of skilled workers. A new Wastewater Treatment course, currently nearing pilot phase with an anticipated launch this fall, is designed to prepare participants for careers in treatment facility operations and onsite wastewater systems.
Industry partners have played a key role in the course’s development by opening their facilities, dedicating staff time, and sharing real-world expertise to help shape hands-on, industry-driven training built specifically for Alabama’s workforce needs.
To learn more about the ACCS Innovation Center, click below.
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