Lantern Awards Recognize Manufacturing Excellence In Louisiana

BATON ROUGE, La. — Today, Louisiana Economic Development honored the 2013 Lantern Award winners during a private reception held at the Louisiana Governor’s Mansion. Lantern Award winners demonstrate excellence in manufacturing and outstanding service to their communities through the involvement of their businesses and employees.

“Each year, we celebrate Louisiana-based manufacturers who demonstrate quality in their work processes and a commitment to their local communities,” LED Secretary Stephen Moret said. “With a focus on improvement, growth and innovation, the contributions of the Lantern Award winners are helping us position Louisiana as the best state for business investment and job creation. We congratulate them on their accomplishments and are grateful for the career opportunities they provide to the people of our state.”

Lantern Award winners are selected by Louisiana’s eight Regional Planning and Development Districts, with selection based on the contributions of the manufacturers to their communities, including investments in employment growth and facility expansion. Each business also must demonstrate sustainability by remaining in operation at least three years prior to the nomination.

The 2013 Louisiana Lantern Award winners are:

Acadiana Region
High Tech Components Inc.
Broussard

Bayou Region
The Dow Chemical Company, St. Charles Operations
Hahnville

Capital Region
Moran Printing Inc.
Baton Rouge

Central Region
BASF Corporation
Vidalia

Northeast Region
Joe Gear Companies
Monroe

Northwest Region
Arcadia Gas Storage LLC
Arcadia

Southeast Region
Big Easy Blends
New Orleans

Southwest Region
Century Group Inc.
Sulphur

As part of the Lantern Awards ceremony, the Louisiana Quality Foundation recognizes Louisiana Performance Excellence Award winners. This year’s winners are Jefferson Parish Community Development, Jefferson Parish Community Action Programs, Jefferson Parish Business and Career Solutions Center, Jefferson Parish Animal Shelter, St. Francis Medical Center in Monroe, Our Lady of Lourdes Regional Medical Center in Lafayette and St. Elizabeth Hospital in Gonzales.

Since LED launched the Lantern Awards in 1979, the program has recognized more than 275 Louisiana manufacturing businesses. LED’s program partners include the Louisiana Industrial Development Executives Association and the Louisiana Quality Foundation.

Award winners receive lanterns handcrafted and donated by Bevolo Gas and Electric Lights of New Orleans. The lanterns have become an internationally recognized trademark of New Orleans, and Bevolo is the oldest and largest copper gas lantern manufacturer in the U.S. and the second-oldest in the world.