GREENVILLE, S.C. - s4story -- SCBIZ today announced the launch of the inaugural Operational Excellence in Manufacturing Awards, a new recognition program designed to honor the manufacturing leaders who are improving operations, driving innovation, developing talent, and strengthening South Carolina's industrial economy.

Presented as part of the 2026 South Carolina Manufacturing Conference & Expo (SCMCE), the awards will recognize individuals who have made measurable contributions to operational performance across manufacturing organizations throughout the state.

Nominations are now open and will be accepted through August 10, 2026. Honorees will be recognized during a special awards luncheon on November 4, 2026, at the Greenville Convention Center.

South Carolina has become one of the nation's leading manufacturing hubs, fueled by investments in automotive, aerospace, advanced materials, life sciences, food production, and industrial manufacturing. Behind that growth are leaders whose work often happens behind the scenes—improving efficiency, implementing new technologies, strengthening supply chains, creating safer workplaces, and developing the workforce that powers the industry.

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The Operational Excellence in Manufacturing Awards were created to recognize those achievements.

"Manufacturing success is often measured by what leaves the facility, but the real story is what happens inside it," said Ben Jacobs, Content Lead for SCBIZ. "Behind every production milestone, expansion announcement, or economic impact headline are leaders who are solving problems, improving processes, developing people, and finding better ways to operate every day. These awards were created to recognize the operators, innovators, and decision-makers whose leadership keeps South Carolina manufacturing competitive."

The awards will recognize excellence across multiple operational disciplines, including:

• Executive Leadership Excellence
• Plant Leadership Excellence
• Facility Excellence
• Supply Chain Innovator Excellence
• People & Culture Excellence
• Advanced Automation Excellence
• Emerging Leader
• Manufacturing Partner
• Lifetime Achievement

Nominees will be evaluated by an independent panel of judges based on operational impact, innovation and continuous improvement, safety and compliance, workforce leadership, community impact, and organizational resilience.

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The program complements SCBIZ's Women Powering Manufacturing recognition initiative, which honors women making significant contributions to manufacturing. While tat award focuses on celebrating female leaders across the industry, the Operational Excellence in Manufacturing Awards recognize measurable operational achievement and leadership across the manufacturing ecosystem.

"Operational excellence doesn't happen by accident," Jacobs said. "It happens because dedicated leaders continually look for ways to improve performance, strengthen teams, embrace innovation, and solve complex challenges. Their work deserves recognition, and their stories deserve to be told."

Individuals may be nominated by colleagues, supervisors, direct reports, clients, or through self-nomination. Eligible nominees must operate in or directly serve South Carolina's manufacturing sector.

For nomination information, award criteria, and deadlines, visit https://scbiz.com/event/operational-excellence-in-manufacturing/.