On February 26, 2015, Seats Incorporated was publicly recognized as "Large Manufacturer of the Year" for 2014 by Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce. Seats Inc., along with Columbia ParCar Corp. and Flambeau, Inc., is part of the Nordic Group of Companies, a family-owned management and manufacturing business headquartered in Baraboo, WI. The Seats Vehicle Division is responsible for building and assembling Columbia's product lines.
Seats President, Eric Sauey, accepted the Manufacturer of the Year (MOTY) award on behalf of the organization.
"It is encouraging for an organization to receive an honor of this caliber. This MOTY verifies that what we do every day does make a difference - in our own operation and also in the bigger picture of our state's economy," he stated.
As noted on the program's website, "The Wisconsin Manufacturer of the Year award program is an annual recognition of excellence in manufacturing. It celebrates the successes of manufacturers in the state: their innovations, philanthropy, technological advances, commitment to customer satisfaction, and quality jobs."
Seats was among eight finalist organizations for this award. Other nominees included: Empire Screen Printing, Onalaska; Global Finishing Solutions, Osseo; Hatco Corporation, Milwaukee; Super Steel, Milwaukee; Tenere, Inc., Dresser; Trostel, Ltd., Lake Geneva; and Universal Acoustic & Emission Technologies, Stoughton. The winners of the 2014 MOTY award were selected by an independent panel of judges representing manufacturing, service, and the public sector.
A key factor in the decision was the fact that Seats fabricates the majority of their component parts in-house and maintains an inventory of nearly 30,000 different part numbers. In addition, Seats' commitment to encouraging continued education and personal development among employees through both on-site classes and outside seminars, workshops and degree programs helped influence the outcome. Finally, the significant growth of the business in terms of both employment and sales dollars over the past 5 years was referenced as an indicator of Seats' success.
Please join us in congratulating Eric and the entire staff of Seats Inc. This is truly a tremendous accomplishment that deserves to be recognized and applauded!
Based in Reedsburg, Wisconsin, Columbia is a premier electric vehicle manufacturer whose history dates back to 1946. Columbia has one of the most expansive electric vehicle product line-ups in the world. Vehicles for private use and commercial applications include the efficiency-gaining, stand & ride Chariot™, the Eagle™ Neighborhood Electric Vehicle, and the Summit Utilitruck™ Low Speed Utility Vehicle. For more information visit www.parcar.com.
Columbia ParCar Corp. is a member of Nordic Group of Companies, Ltd. Nordic Group (headquartered in Baraboo, Wisconsin) is a privately held holding company consisting of subsidiaries with 22 facilities, and 23 marketing units around the world with over 2,400 associates. Nordic Group companies manufacture and distribute plastic, seating, and transportation products worldwide for industrial, commercial and consumer markets. For more information or catalog, write Nordic Group of Companies, Ltd., 715 Lynn Avenue, Suite 100, Baraboo, WI 53913 USA or visit www.nordicgroup.com.