An ABiz Top 50 company, Broussard-based Maritime International was honored June 14 at the governor's mansion with a 2011 Lantern Award.
Louisiana Economic Development honored the 2011 Lantern Award winners from eight regions in a private reception at the governor's mansion Tuesday. Recognized for excellence in manufacturing and community involvement, Broussard-based Maritime International, which last year ranked No. 43 on ABiz's list of the Top 50 privately held companies in Acadiana, is the 2011 Acadiana area honoree. The company designs and manufactures bollards, marine fender systems, and mooring and navigational buoys for clients around the world, including the U.S. Navy. It also provides heavy marine fabrication services for the oil and gas industry.
Maritime, which has grown from 50 employees in 2008 to 79 at the end of 2010, was nominated by state Sen. Fred Mills and Beth Guidry of the St. Martin Economic Development Authority. Maritime invested $2.2 million in a 2008 plant expansion, $8.5 million in 2009 and $500,000 last year.
In announcing the winners, LED Secretary Stephen Moret commended the recipients for their achievements and contributions, which he said are helping Louisiana's economy outperform the South and the U.S. on a regular basis. "As we continue to reposition Louisiana as one of the best states for business investment, supporting the growth of our existing businesses will remain our top priority," Moret said.
Lantern Award winners are selected by Regional Planning and Development Districts in Louisiana based on the businesses' contributions to their local communities, including employment growth and facility expansion. Each business must also demonstrate sustainability by remaining in operation at least three years prior to the nomination.
As part of the award ceremony, the Louisiana Quality Foundation recognized its Louisiana Performance Excellence Award winners, among which was Our Lady of Lourdes Regional Medical Center.
In addition to Maritime, the 2011 Louisiana Lantern Award winners are:
Bayou Region
Bollinger Shipyards Lockport LLC
Lockport
Capital Region
Triton Industries LLC
Lottie
Central Region
Six C Fabrication Inc.
Winnfield
Northeast Region
ConAgra Foods Lamb Weston
Delhi
Northwest Region
Southland Printing Co. Inc.
Shreveport
Southeast Region
St. Joe Brick Works
Pearl River
Southwest Region
Max Brake Brake Controllers
Creole
Since LED launched the Lantern Awards in 1979, the program has recognized more than 260 Louisiana manufacturing businesses.
ABiz's annual Top 50 issue publishes July 27. Contact Leslie Turk at [email protected] for more information on how to nominate a company or click here for a nomination form.