ETOWAH, TENN. – Waupaca Foundry, a Hitachi Metals company, was honored Oct. 11 with community service and leadership awards at the annual McMinn County Economic Development Authority 2018 Industry Awards.

The Etowah, Tenn. -based ductile iron component supplier and three members of its team were recognized with APEX awards–earning all but one student award. The annual Make It in McMinn celebration recognizes companies and individuals for adaptability, performance and excellence in their industry or profession.

In all, five awards were presented to regional business and individuals and Waupaca Foundry earned four of the five annual awards. The winners are:

• Waupaca Foundry received the APEX Distinguished Service Award. This award is presented to organizations that partner with local McMinn County civic groups through service, funding, or other assistance toward specific projects and participated or provided financial assistance on projects that improved the quality of life for the citizens of McMinn County. Waupaca Foundry is a primary sponsor of the Etowah Christmas Project, Support our Seniors, Keep McMinn County Beautiful, Junior Achievement, and many other projects and activities.
• Misty Webb received the APEX Production Worker of the Year Award. Webb is a core room team leader with ten years of experience at the plant. She is an active community volunteer both at work and with her family.
• Diana Elrod received the APEX Professional of the Year Award. Elrod is the assistant plant manager and has worked at Waupaca Foundry for 20 years. She holds a variety of quality and management certifications and has been an active community volunteer.
• Caleb Martin received the APEX Young Professional of the Year Award. Martin is a human resources assistant and has worked at the foundry for five years. He is a veteran of the United States Army, is a member of the plant’s emergency response and emergency medical teams, and a volunteer firefighter.

“We are proud of Misty, Diana, and Caleb. These awards are well deserved and are appropriate recognition for the work they do for Waupaca Foundry and for the community,” said Kenley Hansen, plant manager. “The award the plant received is a reflection of our entire employee population, many more of whom serve the community in various important ways.”

Waupaca Foundry Etowah produces ductile iron castings for the automotive, commercial vehicle and off-highway markets and employs 560 people. Waupaca Foundry earned the 2014 Distinguished Service Award in 2014.

About Waupaca Foundry, Inc. Waupaca Foundry, Inc., North America’s leading supplier of iron castings to the automotive, commercial vehicle, agriculture, construction, and industrial markets, produces gray iron castings, ductile iron castings, HNM™ series high-strength ductile iron, and austempered ductile iron castings using state of-the-art processes and technology. The manufacturer also specializes in precision machining and assembly. Waupaca Foundry is Headquartered in Waupaca, Wisconsin and operates seven iron foundries located in Waupaca, Wisconsin, Marinette, Wisconsin, Tell City, Indiana, Etowah, Tennessee, and Lawrenceville, Pennsylvania. The company operates machining and assembly in Waupaca, Wisconsin and Effingham, Illinois. Waupaca employs approximately 4,500 people. For more information, visit www.waupacafoundry.com.

About Hitachi Metals, Ltd. Hitachi Metals, Ltd., (TSE: 5486), headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, with consolidated revenue totaling 1,023 billion yen in fiscal 2018 (ended March 31, 2019). The company manufactures and markets a diverse portfolio of specialty steel products, magnetic materials and applications, functional components and equipment, wires, cables, and related products. For more information, visit https://www.hitachi-metals.co.jp/e/