Advanced Thermal Batteries, Inc. Nominated by Denise Beaver, Carroll County Economic Development

 ATB, the U.S. division of ASB Group, a world-wide leader in the manufacturing of thermal batteries for the Defense Industry, moved into a new, larger Westminster manufacturing facility. This multi-million dollar expansion is the result of a decade of extensive work with the Defense Industry’s Prime Contractors, the U.S. Government and research organizations to develop and produce advanced thermal batteries for the military’s leading-edge weapon systems. The advanced technologies requirements for missiles, rockets, smart bomb weapon systems and emergency backup systems will continue to grow and the move will create high technology jobs, ultimately doubling the workforce

Shelter Systems Limited Nominated by Denise Beaver, Carroll County Economic Development

 For 40 years Shelter Systems Limited has grown to become one of the nation’s premier manufacturers of wood structural building components. Lean manufacturing principles are incorporated in their plant design. Lumber moves in one direction - from the Lumber Storage and Retrieval System it travels from saw to assembly, out the door and on to a delivery truck without ever crossing a different job. With a regional market extending nearly 250 miles in every direction, their 120,000-squarefoot lean manufacturing facility produces high-quality roof trusses, open-web floor trusses and engineered wood products to supply builders throughout the mid-Atlantic region.

Stanley Black & Decker Nominated by Mac Mottley, Sparks Dynamics

 Stanley Black & Decker is a world-leading provider of tools and storage, commercial electronic security and engineered fastening systems, with unique growth platforms and a record of sustained profitable growth. The Hampstead plant is Stanley Black and Decker’s only Maryland manufacturing plant, providing powder metal components used in thousands of power tools assembled throughout the world. Focusing on energy reduction and sustainability, the plant partnered with Sparks Dynamics to implement a process innovation project based on the Industrial Internet of Things ReMaster Cloud Monitoring and Analytics system. This project is anticipated to reduce compressed air energy expense by over 20%.

The Strouse Corporation Nominated by Denise Beaver, Carroll County Economic Development

 Since 1986 The Strouse Corporation has been designing and developing converted solutions using pressure sensitive adhesives. As a 3M Preferred Converter of pressure sensitive adhesive and flexible materials, Strouse solves simple and complex problems for the aerospace, automotive, electronics, industrial, medical, and military & defense industries. Strouse operates the most sophisticated equipment in their industry at their Westminster plant to achieve superior product performance backed by a quality management system registered to ISO 9001:2008 standards. President Susan Chambers has been certified as a Women’s Business Enterprise since 2005.

FR Conversions Nominated by Denise Beaver, Carroll County Economic Development

FR Conversions purchased a 150,000 square foot plant at West Branch Trade Center in Westminster. The company specializes in the conversion of vans for wheelchairs. New contracts for products prompted the company’s search for a larger location. A ribbon cutting was held in April to celebrate the grand opening of this $20 million project. Due to the high demand of its product, the company expects to employ over 400 people in the next few years. FR Conversions “makes mobility affordable”. They focus on safety and have transformed the lives of individuals who use their vehicles daily.

Knorr Brake Company Nominated by Denise Beaver, Carroll County Economic Development

 Knorr Brake Company’s North American Mass Transit Braking Systems headquarters is in the Westminster Technology Park. Knorr Brake Company (KBC), a division of Knorr-Bremse, AG moved to Carroll County in 1991. The company manufactures braking, door, and HVAC systems for the mass transit rail industry and expanded into a new 240,000 square foot facility in 2013. KBC employs over 400 people at the Westminster location. When you ride mass transit you can thank Knorr Brake Company for the smooth comfortable ride – you will get on/off safely, ride in comfort and stop smoothly at your destination.

Lehigh Cement Company Nominated by Denise Beaver, Carroll County Economic Development

 Lehigh is a leading North American producer of gray, white and specialty cements, aggregates, ready-mix concrete and concrete products. When mixed with water, cement binds together sand, gravel and crushed stone to form concrete, one of the most durable and widely used construction materials worldwide. Working together to build our communities® is their tagline - you have to look no further than the Carroll Hospital Center parking garage as one example where Lehigh’s cement contributes to a strong foundation. And, Lehigh Cement has served as a foundational business, employer and community contributor in Union Bridge, Maryland, for over a century.

Carroll County Career & Technology Center Nominated by Vicki Mahr, Beynon Sports Surfaces

 The specific programs in the “Engineering” department at the CTC introduce students and teach them skills in preparation for a variety of manufacturing careers. In the Drafting program, students can become AutoCAD Certified. Welding has the ABC Apprenticeship program. PLTW Engineering is college- level Design & Development Engineering courses, and the Manufacturing and Machine Technologies program is one of the first high school programs in the nation to be certified by the National Institute of Metalworking Skills. These programs are “hands on” and work together cross-functionally to finish projects, giving students a true experience in the world of manufacturing.

Partnership and Inspiration for Engineering Education and Entrepreneurship (PIE3) Nominated by Rose Young, PIE3

 PIE3 is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide opportunities for extra-curricular STEM activities to as many students as possible, K-12, in the greater Carroll County area. The flagship program is the FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) Team 2199, the Robo-Lions. These high school students were the genesis for PIE3 , which now supports more than 20 teams for over 100 kids of all ages. The FRC Team, along with other teams, shares their excitement for STEM at libraries, schools and community events all year, raising awareness and encouraging future engineers.