2026 MANUFACTURING INNOVATION AWARDS
Presented by the Manufacturers’ Council of the Inland Empire
APPLY BEFORE April 22, 2026
The Manufacturing Innovation Awards honor local manufacturers who are driving progress through smart solutions, creative strategies, and measurable results.
One outstanding manufacturer in the Inland Empire will be honored in each of the following categories:
- Resource or Process Innovation
- Product Innovation
- Human Capital/ Talent Innovation
- Marketing Innovation
Awards will be presented at the
2026 MANUFACTURING INNOVATIONS AWARDS DINNER
Winners will showcase their company innovation, receive an innovation award, and be recognized through our newsletter, website, and social media.
GENERAL GUIDELINES:
• No specific level of technical detail is required; clearly describe the innovation and its measurable benefits.
• The innovation should emphasize originality and demonstrated impact.
• Submissions should highlight innovations suitable for public recognition, with the goal of sharing best practices that benefit the broader manufacturing community.
Tips: Application includes a 750-word (maximum) description of how the company overcame a challenge through innovation in one of the four award categories. The application also requests a short summary subtitle for the entry. If you are uncertain which award category best fits your innovation, please contact Debbie at dsmith@mfgcouncilie.com.
AWARD CATEGORIES – 2026
1. Resource or Process Innovation
- Recognizes improvements in resource efficiency or manufacturing processes.
- Must result from operational, procedural, or technological changes.
- Includes energy or water reduction, recycling efforts, and process improvements such as lean manufacturing.
Evaluation criteria: cost-effectiveness and tangible results
2. Product Innovation
- Recognizes innovation in product development or enhancement.
- Describe a product development or enhancement that improved production.
Evaluation criteria: Product benefits, business growth, cost-effectiveness, impact, publicity and results.
3. Human Capital / Talent Innovation
- Recognizes innovative workforce strategies, including:
- Recruiting and hiring
- Training and workforce development
- Talent retention
- Engaging youth in manufacturing careers
Evaluation criteria: ingenuity, cost-effectiveness, impact, publicity, and results
4. Marketing Innovation
- Recognizes innovative marketing strategies or campaigns.
- May include internal campaigns promoting company policies, or external campaigns to a targeted group or the public at large.
Evaluation criteria: cost-effectiveness, growth impact, publicity, and results.