SGL Automotive Carbon Fibers in Moses Lake was one of five Washington manufacturers recognized for leading the way on innovation, environmental excellence and operational ingenuity by the Association of Washington Business Institute at its annual Manufacturing Summit.

According to the AWBI, this year’s awards program highlighted manufacturers of all sizes and from different sectors of the industry – from steel to cleaning products – for outstanding contributions to innovation, environmental excellence and operational improvements that lead to efficiency and healthy, rewarding workplaces.

“Manufacturing is the cornerstone of Washington state’s economy and like every industry sector, these employers strive to lift up their communities and employees, and raise the bar on environmental stewardship across the state,” said AWB President Kris Johnson. “Today’s award winners demonstrate how manufacturers and their shop floors have evolved to become high-tech, clean and green. Job well done to all the winners.”

The five winners in the four award categories are:

— Operational Excellence: SGL Automotive Carbon Fibers, maker of carbon fiber composite for automobiles, located in Moses Lake.

— Green Manufacturing: Earth Friendly Products, maker of environmentally-friendly and sustainable cleaning products, located in Lacey.

— Innovation: Rite in the Rain, the century-old maker of weather-proof notepads and writing implements, located in Tacoma.

— Operational Excellence: G. Loomis, manufacturer of high-quality fishing rods and gear, located in Woodland.

— Manufacturer of the Year: Nucor Steel Seattle, the state’s most prolific recycler of steel that the facility repurposed for everything from buildings to bridges and is located in Seattle.

As the official media partner for the event, Puget Sound Business Journal Publisher Emory Thomas helped present the awards. The paper will publish a special manufacturing report Nov. 4.

Videos highlighting each award-winning company will also be available on the AWB video page.

The Association of Washington Business formed in 1904 and is Washington’s oldest and largest statewide business association, and includes nearly 7,000 members representing 700,000 employees.

AWB serves as both the state’s chamber of commerce and the manufacturing and technology association, and is the recipient of the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives’ 2016 Chamber of the Year award. While its membership includes major employers like Boeing, Microsoft and Weyerhaeuser, 90 percent of AWB members employ fewer than 100 people. More than half of AWB’s members employ fewer than 10.

For more about AWB, visit www.awb.org.