Lance Hastings, President & CEO of the California Manufacturers & Technology Association, delivers the keynote at MCIE’s sold-out 2026 Manufacturing Innovation Awards Dinner in Ontario, CA with Sandra Sisco, MCIE’s Director of Development & Strategic Partnerships.

Approximately 150 manufacturing, civic, education, and workforce leaders gathered to honor breakthrough products, processes, talent strategies, and market innovation across Inland Southern California

Ontario, CA: The Manufacturers’ Council of the Inland Empire (MCIE) welcomed approximately 150 attendees to its sold-out 2026 Manufacturing Innovation Awards Dinner on Thursday, May 14, at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Ontario Airport, bringing together manufacturers, business leaders, educators, workforce partners, public officials, and regional stakeholders to celebrate the companies and ideas shaping the future of Inland Southern California manufacturing.

First presented in 2014, MCIE’s Innovation Awards have become a signature regional recognition for manufacturers and industry partners whose ideas deliver measurable business, operational, and community impact. The awards themselves reflect that spirit of regional ingenuity: each trophy is custom-machined on a CNC machine from a solid block of metal, then polished to a high finish. The original trophy design was developed by students specifically for the Innovation Awards.

Past Innovation Awards honorees have included some of the region’s most recognizable manufacturers, innovators, and institutions, including California Steel Industries, Toyota North America Parts Center, Fireblast Global, Ingram Micro, Brenner-Fiedler, Ventura Foods, and Harvey Mudd College.

The 2026 awards recognized outstanding manufacturers in four categories: Resource or Process Innovation, Product Innovation, Human Capital/Talent Innovation, and Marketing Innovation.

2026 Manufacturing Innovation Awards Winners

Human Capital / Talent Innovation Winner: Hussmann Corporation — Chino, California

Hussmann Corporation, a division of Panasonic based in Chino, was recognized for its long-standing workforce development partnership with Cal Poly Pomona, which has evolved from internships to capstone projects and now to a structured co-op program. Through the program, students spend a full academic year on site, gaining direct hands-on experience in engineering, manufacturing, product development, and real-world problem solving.

Marketing Innovation Winner: The Peggs Company — Riverside, California

The Peggs Company, a third-generation Inland Empire family business serving grocery and retail customers, was honored for the Matrix Series, its reimagined line of shopping carts. Engineered to provide a quiet, smooth, and durable in-store experience, the Matrix Series is designed to resist vibration and misalignment while offering retailers customizable branding that aligns with store décor. The carts are made from 100% recyclable polymer materials with modular parts, combining sustainability, customer experience, and retailer differentiation.

Product Innovation Winner: Combustion Associates, Inc. — Corona, California

Combustion Associates, Inc. (CAI) was recognized for its Spirit™ 16 modular energy resiliency product, a behind-the-meter power solution designed for data centers and other mission-critical users facing mounting grid constraints. As artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and digital infrastructure accelerate demand for uninterrupted power, the Spirit™ 16 offers modular, rapid-deployment energy capacity to help customers strengthen reliability, protect operations, and support continued technological growth.

Resource or Process Innovation Winner: A&R Tarpaulins Inc. — Fontana, California

A&R Tarpaulins Inc., a second-generation Inland Empire manufacturer transitioning to its third generation of family leadership, was honored for developing a Cable Net Assembly Jig to improve the speed, precision, and consistency of its production process. The company, which specializes in fabrics, textiles, and flexible composites, created the tool in-house to expedite cable net assembly, reduce measurement variability, and produce more uniform outcomes.

Across categories, this year’s awardees emphasized a shared commitment to the Inland Empire manufacturing ecosystem: cultivating local talent, strengthening regional supplier networks, prioritizing local procurement where possible, and building partnerships with area colleges and universities. Together, their stories reflected innovation not only in products and processes, but in the regional relationships that help manufacturers grow and compete.

This year’s Innovation Awards program drew an unprecedented field of nominations. Additional 2026 nominees included Church & Dwight; Eibach, Inc.; Fireblast Global; Perricone Farms; Phenix Technology; Plastics Plus Technology, Inc.; Solvari Corp. dba 7 Eye by Panoptx; Victor Valley Wastewater Reclamation Authority; and Walker West LLC.

The evening featured keynote remarks from Lance Hastings, President and CEO of the California Manufacturers & Technology Association (CMTA), who spoke about the indispensable role of manufacturing in the nation’s economy and the importance of continued innovation to the industry’s future.

“I am optimistic about the future. What we make today is worth fighting for, and what keeps me going is what we as manufacturers are going to make tomorrow. Innovation is the key to our future,” said Hastings.

Hastings also emphasized that manufacturing is “critical infrastructure for our nation’s economy,” adding that “if we aren’t innovating, we aren’t thriving.”

The program was emceed by Eric Schmidt, President and Cofounder of Exquadrum, Inc., an Inland Empire aerospace and defense leader known for advancing propulsion technologies, testing capabilities, and regional workforce development.

The 2026 awards were presented by Lisa Anderson, Founder and President of LMA Consulting Group, and evaluated with the support of a distinguished judging panel that included Anderson; Dr. Phil van Haaster, Dean of the Gordon and Jill Bourns College of Engineering at California Baptist University; and Eileen Angulo of HR Solutions & Services LLC.

“This year’s nominees and award winners are to be commended,” said Wallace Brithinee, President of the Manufacturers’ Council of the Inland Empire. “We received an unprecedented number of nominations this year, reflecting the depth of innovation taking place across a region that is home to more than 5,000 manufacturers. These companies are strengthening our economy, developing talent, improving how things are made, and building the future of manufacturing in the Inland Empire.”

The event also gave attendees the opportunity to connect directly with regional business, workforce, and education resources through sponsor exhibits. San Bernardino County Workforce Development, the event’s Platinum Sponsor, highlighted county business services, employee upskilling resources, and economic development programs available to employers. Moreno Valley College and Norco College, serving as Gold Sponsors, showcased education and workforce pathways that support advanced manufacturing, including career education and apprenticeship opportunities. MCIE also exhibited its own manufacturing modernization, future events, and regional industry engagement resources.

MCIE also recognized the sponsors whose support made the 2026 Innovation Awards Dinner possible:

Platinum Sponsor:
San Bernardino County Workforce Development

Gold Sponsors:
Moreno Valley College; Norco College

Silver Sponsors:
Chaffey College InTech Center; Employment Training Panel; Eide Bailly; RPB CPAs; Inland Empire Labor Institute; Thrive Inland SoCal

The Manufacturing Innovation Awards honor local manufacturers who are driving progress through smart solutions, creative strategies, and measurable results. Winners will be further recognized through MCIE media, including the organization’s newsletter, website, and social media platforms.

For more information about the Manufacturing Innovation Awards, visit:
www.mfgcouncilie.com/innovation-awards

The Manufacturers’ Council (MCIE) represents manufacturers in Riverside and San Bernardino counties. Their efforts include promoting workforce development programs and policies for the region, as well as educating the public on the modern face of manufacturing in the region and the skilled trade opportunities that offer rewarding, high-wage careers.

MCIE’s membership comprises professionals, students, community members, and corporate leadership with interests in manufacturing in Inland Southern California.

The Manufacturers’ Council of the Inland Empire (MCIE) supports education and career training on behalf of manufacturers throughout the region, offering programming and expertise in a variety of topics including innovative workforce solutions. Visit http://www.mfgcouncilie.com or our Linktree at linktr.ee/iemanufacturing for more information on careers, events, and membership.