Along with a host of new products, THK had a record sales year in 2022. Perhaps you saw one of their two large booths at IMTS, with robots serving bottled water.

In 2022, this 100% woman-owned small business celebrated two key milestones: its 55th year in business, and 35th anniversary as a Wisconsin manufacturer.

Since they have achieved this cyber security status, EPM are currently ahead of the industry. Less than 30% of companies are where they need to be with cyber security compliance, according to their auditor.

Dealing with supply chain issues – lead times of more than a year for some components – means that the company has had to raise levels of inventory, not an ideal situation, but they’ve been able to adapt through it all.

Those in the automotive industry will likely recognize SEG Automotive. According to the company, their products are used by almost all major car makers.

Maybe it’s a chili cook-off. Maybe it’s recognition. Or maybe just respect. Whatever it is, top companies know how to treat employees well—and get results. When I spoke with this year’s top Quality Leadership companies, several themes emerged. The annual Quality Leadership ranking showcase companies leading the way despite manufacturing challenges.

While 2021 was a challenging year for many, others found ways to excel in spite of everything. Even amidst a pandemic, these companies continued to shine. Our annual Quality Leadership ranking provides much-deserved recognition for companies that prioritize quality.

Even in a normal year, achieving high levels of quality is no small feat; it's a daily challenge that requires buy-in from everyone. This year, as COVID-19 wreaked havoc on supply chains, worker safety and consumer demand, maintaining high levels of quality became a nearly superhuman feat.

Making it to the top requires dedication, persistence, and continuous improvement.

If you’re a longtime reader of Quality, you’ll have seen our Leadership 100 ranking. Every year, we take a look at the quality programs at manufacturing sites around the country.