Boeing, state honor Wildwood's products

Thursday, April 19, 2007

By BRIAN LAWSON

Times Business Writer brian.lawson@htimes.com

Madison company does contract work for military, space

Madison-based Wildwood Electronics had a day full of good news Wednesday with the announcements that the company had been named the state's top small manufacturer and selected as Boeing Co.'s supplier of the year.

Boeing has more than 27,000 suppliers in almost 100 countries, the company reported. Wildwood was selected in the Common Aerospace Commodities category and was honored at a ceremony in Bellevue, Wash., Wednesday.

Wildwood does work on Boeing's missile defense and anti-aircraft systems and the International Space Station.

"To be recognized by our customer in such a manner is quite an honor," said Rebecca Owens, president of Wildwood Electronics.

Wildwood, which was started in 1983 and is female-owned, does contract manufacturing work for military and space applications, said Lori Underwood, the company's vice president and finance director. Wildwood has about 50 employees and annual sales in the $7 million to $8 million range, Underwood said.

Wildwood was honored in a ceremony Wednesday night as part of the Alabama Manufacturer of the Year awards, presented by the Alabama Business Council and the Alabama Technology Network.

The Manufacturer of the Year awards is an annual event recognizing the performance of high-achieving Alabama manufacturers while increasing public awareness about the significance of manufacturing to Alabama's economy, according to a BCA news release.

North Alabama was well represented at the awards, with the Nucor Steel operation in Decatur being named 2007 Large Manufacturer of the Year and Huntsville-based Green Mountain Soap Co. Inc. earning the Entrepreneurial Spirit Award.

Nucor, which bought a bankrupt plant in Decatur in 2002 has made some $500 million in investments to the Decatur facility and employs some 633 people, with an average wage of $75,000, the Business Council of Alabama said.

The company was cited for exceeding sales and production expectations by giving employees the opportunity to innovate, and more than 60 percent of employee pay is based on production bonuses. The company was also recognized for its innovative and efficient use of energy.

Green Mountain Soap was started in 1992 by Richard and Elaine Hamner. The company's high purity soap is sold locally and through national distributors.



Boeing, state honor Wildwood's products Thursday, April 19, 2007 By BRIAN LAWSON Times Business Writer brian.lawson@htimes.com Madison company does contract work for military, space Madison-based Wildwood Electronics had a day full of good news Wednesday with the announcements that the company had been named the state's top small manufacturer and selected as Boeing Co.'s supplier of the year. Boeing has more than 27,000 suppliers in almost 100 countries, the company reported. Wildwood was selected in the Common Aerospace Commodities category and was honored at a ceremony in Bellevue, Wash., Wednesday. Wildwood does work on Boeing's missile defense and anti-aircraft systems and the International Space Station. "To be recognized by our customer in such a manner is quite an honor," said Rebecca Owens, president of Wildwood Electronics. Wildwood, which was started in 1983 and is female-owned, does contract manufacturing work for military and space applications, said Lori Underwood, the company's vice president and finance director. Wildwood has about 50 employees and annual sales in the $7 million to $8 million range, Underwood said. Wildwood was honored in a ceremony Wednesday night as part of the Alabama Manufacturer of the Year awards, presented by the Alabama Business Council and the Alabama Technology Network. The Manufacturer of the Year awards is an annual event recognizing the performance of high-achieving Alabama manufacturers while increasing public awareness about the significance of manufacturing to Alabama's economy, according to a BCA news release. North Alabama was well represented at the awards, with the Nucor Steel operation in Decatur being named 2007 Large Manufacturer of the Year and Huntsville-based Green Mountain Soap Co. Inc. earning the Entrepreneurial Spirit Award. Nucor, which bought a bankrupt plant in Decatur in 2002 has made some $500 million in investments to the Decatur facility and employs some 633 people, with an average wage of $75,000, the Business Council of Alabama said. The company was cited for exceeding sales and production expectations by giving employees the opportunity to innovate, and more than 60 percent of employee pay is based on production bonuses. The company was also recognized for its innovative and efficient use of energy. Green Mountain Soap was started in 1992 by Richard and Elaine Hamner. The company's high purity soap is sold locally and through national distributors. © 2007 The Huntsville Times © 2007 al.com All Rights Reserved.