The Michigan Manufacturers Association (MMA) is proud to announce Jim Richards of Fowlerville-based Total Security Solutions as the 2018 recipient of the John G. Thodis Michigan Manufacturer of the Year Award. A prestigious honor since 1981, the award is named after MMA’s longest-serving president and honors the important, positive and tangible contributions individual manufacturers make to their employees, customers and communities. Mr. Richards will receive the award during the 2018 MFG Excellence Awards on November 8 at the Kellogg Center in East Lansing.
Jim Richards was selected by an independent panel of judges for his unmatched dedication to the company’s purpose of helping people feel safe — in the workplace, at school and in the businesses they visit — so they can all come home to their own families every day. Together with his team, Jim works tirelessly to consistently deliver on that promise.
“Total Security Solutions, a manufacturer of custom bulletproof barrier systems, is one of Michigan’s fastest growing companies, thanks to the competitive nature and focused, compassionate leadership of its President, Jim Richards,” says Chuck Hadden, MMA president & CEO. “Over the past twelve years, Jim has led the organization toward better processes and a higher level of quality and accountability. As an innovative leader, Jim brings great honor to this award’s already outstanding 38-year lineage.”
The MFG Excellence Awards is a one-of-a-kind gala event promoting manufacturing’s most inspiring people, companies and products as well as the inspiring stories which have made Michigan the global hub for the industry. Now in its second year, the inaugural MFG Excellence Awards received the Michigan Society of Association Executive’s (MSAE) Diamond Award recognizing it as the top association event in Michigan.
“Congratulations to Jim Richards for this incredible honor,” said Phil Santer, Ann Arbor SPARK senior vice president. “We’ve had the pleasure to work with Jim and Total Security Solutions over the years as he’s grown in Fowlerville and Livingston County. He embodies everything that this award represents and is very deserving of the recognition.”
In addition to presenting Jim Richards with the John G. Thodis Michigan Manufacturer of the Year (Small Tier) Award, the MFG Excellence Awards will also present awards for Lifetime Achievement, Emerging Leader, Community Impact, Innovation Excellence and Talent Champion. Additionally, Eagle Alloy of Muskegon will receive the John G. Thodis Michigan Manufacturer of the Year Award in the large-tier category and the winner of the “Coolest Thing Made in Michigan” People’s Choice Award will be named following a months-long social media voting process hosted by MLive.
