Honoring Excellence in Mold Manufacturing

Lead time is the culmination of the entire mold manufacturing process. A quality mold delivered on time results from a team of professionals working together from sales, design and manufacturing to validation, delivery and support.

Whether your company is an industry leader or aspires to be one, we created MMT’s Leadtime Leader Awards (LLA) competition to share best practices and recognize companies that are excelling in customer satisfaction, workforce development, industry involvement, continual improvement, business growth, the technology employed, competitive advantage and more.

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A global pandemic impacted the schedule for this annual competition, resulting in its absence for the past two years. However, it is back for 2024, and the winner will be honored on the cover of MMT and during an awards ceremony at Amerimold 2024, taking place June 5-6, 2024, in Columbus, Ohio.

Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about MoldMaking Technology’s annual Leadtime Leader Awards competition.

What is a Leadtime Leader?

A company that performs beyond the status quo using all available resources, whether that means teamwork between skilled employees and well-managed scheduling, or having the latest machinery and equipment, automation, etc. — or both. It’s all about what you do with what you have. It’s optimizing what you have to build the best molds for customers while keeping costs fair and meeting deliveries. It’s not about being the biggest, most fancy shop. The award is about working smarter and with a passion for what you do.

It’s not just about being the shop with the shortest delivery times. It's about what you do with what you have.

What are the benefits of participating?

There are many! The LLA can help your shop gain industry recognition and credibility, attract new customers, and add value to your overall services and products. It can boost morale in the shop, distinguish your shop as an industry leader, and help promote your shop’s capabilities and services during sales calls by building confidence with new and existing customers, increasing awareness and reinforcing your brand. Depending on how you make your honors work for your company, you could realize business growth as you continue to enhance and develop your mold build processes.

Why is it called the Leadtime Leader Award?

Mold manufacturing boils down to lead times. If you can’t make or exceed delivery expectations for a customer, that customer probably will not be back. Leadtime Leaders use all resources available, including skills and experience, to continually improve their work performance. They always strive to provide customers with exceptional service, solutions and support. This award recognizes and honors North American mold manufacturers that strive to reduce lead times and improve delivery performance by streamlining operations, improving productivity, and increasing output and revenue while engaging employees and impacting the industry.

Is it only for big shops?

It is important to note that the LLA honors the many faces of moldmaking. It is open to every North American mold manufacturer, regardless of size, capabilities, equipment, etc. We’ve honored shops of all sizes with different specialties, equipment and employees. One thing is for sure: You can’t win if you don’t try!

What are the criteria for entering?

Any shop performing moldmaking operations is eligible. Every shop does many of the same things, but it’s what your shop does differently — or perhaps better — that helps set it apart as a Leadtime Leader. It can be almost anything. Just think about what your customers most appreciate about your company, which could be the game changer.

How do I apply?

Visit research.net/r/2024LLA or click here to access the questionnaire we use to assess each candidate. MMT must receive a complete account of a company’s history, capabilities, technologies, lead time record, markets served, etc., to have sufficient information to compare against other shops that have entered the competition. We ask that you be as thorough as possible. This questionnaire may take a few hours to complete. It may also require the help of specific personnel to gather some of the company data and details we request for proper judging.

How do you win?

The shops we’ve honored over the years have gone that extra mile, completing the main entry form entirely and with detail, plus a step beyond that. They have included PowerPoint presentations, photographs, employee input and videos with the form. They have also expressed their passion for their work and a desire to WIN!

How are shops assessed?

The metrics used include performance in lead time and deliveries, current and projected sales growth, investment in technology, innovation in business strategy, manufacturing efficiency, commitment to workforce training and development, industry involvement, customer satisfaction and presentation and completeness of information (answers, videos, photos, customer references) in the questionnaire.

Do you have to divulge financial information?

The most we ask for is annual sales, but it is not a deal-breaker if it isn’t divulged.

Enter your shop today! https://www.research.net/r/2024LLA

How is the information submitted?

Initially online, but the detailed information is most often submitted via email to editorial director Christina Fuges.

Who are the judges?

Judges are carefully selected from a list of companies that could be your customers. They include representatives from mid- to large-size OEMs and molding companies in the automotive, medical, packaging, consumer goods, appliances and electronics industries. Judges may also include industry consultants in plastics and workforce development. We will never ask another mold manufacturer to judge entries. All judging is conducted with anonymity.

How long does the process take?

The time depends on the amount of effort put forth by the entrant company and the depth of details provided.

What is the deadline to enter?

We encourage shops to enter online before the end of the year.

This award recognizes and honors North American mold manufacturers that strive to reduce lead times and improve delivery performance by streamlining operations, improving productivity, and increasing output and revenue while engaging employees and impacting the industry. Photo Credit: Getty Images

What do you win?

The cover of MoldMaking Technology’s June 2024 issue, a full feature story in the June issue and online, a video feature filmed at your shop to accompany the article (which appears online and is shown at the Amerimold Expo Leadtime Leader booth) and a guest spot on MMT Chats.

LLA winners also enjoy an awards presentation ceremony and celebration at Amerimold; a complimentary 10 × 10 booth and two complimentary full registrations for Amerimold; and exposure in sister publication Plastics Technology magazine as well as other relevant Gardner Business Media brands (Modern Machine Shop, Additive Manufacturing, etc.) to market your company. Last but not least, some Leadtime Leader swag for your shop and team!

In addition, there’s so much more and it’s different for each shop. It all depends on how you optimize your recognition! Several moldmakers, after winning, continue to exhibit at Amerimold because they have successfully met new and potential customers there. Current customers often see them featured in MMT and send accolades, but more than that, other potential customers also often call. Many shops have told us that just by working on the entry form, they have learned so much more about their companies and it has motivated them to put new processes into place that help to further improve how they operate. It’s a win-win.

Visit moldmakingtechnology.com/hashtag/leadtimeleader for everything Leadtime Leader from over the past 20 years of the competition.

Can you win more than once?

Absolutely! A couple of shops already have! Some have won “honorable mention” status and returned later to capture top Leadtime Leader honors, but one or two companies have been named the top Leadtime Leaders twice.

Any recommendations to better the chances of winning?

Be creative and descriptive with your entries. Take the time to express your shop’s culture, processes and skills, not to mention your innovative use of these and the equipment you have. Knock the judges’ socks off!