DeWITT — The Manufacturers Association of Central New York (MACNY) is planning to recognize Gregory Owens and Kirk Wardell for their efforts in the region’s manufacturing sector by adding them to its Manufacturers Wall of Fame. Owens is CEO of Liberty Tabletop of Sherrill, a division of Sherrill Manufacturing Inc., and Wardell is president of […]
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DeWITT — The Manufacturers Association of Central New York (MACNY) is planning to recognize Gregory Owens and Kirk Wardell for their efforts in the region’s manufacturing sector by adding them to its Manufacturers Wall of Fame.
Owens is CEO of Liberty Tabletop of Sherrill, a division of Sherrill Manufacturing Inc., and Wardell is president of Marquardt Switches in Cazenovia.
MACNY will honor Owens and Wardell during its 105th annual dinner, which is set for May 24 at the SRC Arena and Events Center. The association will also commemorate their induction with a plaque on the Manufacturers Wall of Fame at MACNY headquarters at 5788 Widewaters Parkway in DeWitt.
The Manufacturers Wall of Fame celebrates individuals who have demonstrated “long-term dedication” to manufacturing in Central and Upstate New York.
Owens and Wardell will represent the 18th class of members inducted into the Manufacturers Wall of Fame, joining a “prestigious” group of manufacturing leaders who have been honored since the Wall of Fame’s inception in 2001, MACNY said.
“Liberty Tabletop and Marquardt Switches are two of our community’s stellar examples of manufacturing at its best, and it is no coincidence that Greg and Kirk are the company’s leaders. Their ability to navigate their companies through the many global challenges that come with manufacturing not only successfully, but as leaders in their industry, is a testament to their tenacity and leadership skills,” Randy Wolken, president & CEO of MACNY, said in a news release. “On behalf of the Wall of Fame selection committee and the manufacturing community as a whole, I would like to congratulate Greg, Kirk, and their families and employees on this well-deserved induction into the Manufacturers Wall of Fame. We look forward to honoring their dedication to manufacturing and their achievements at MACNY’s 105th annual dinner,” said Wolken.
Previous inductees will also attend and be recognized for their lifetime achievements at MACNY’s annual dinner, the association said.
About Owens
In 2005, when Oneida Ltd. decided to cease all U.S. manufacturing in favor of a “low-cost import model,” Owens teamed up with his partner, Matthew Roberts, and created Sherrill Manufacturing (and later Liberty Tabletop), according to the MACNY release.
They acquired the Oneida Ltd. manufacturing facility in Oneida.
Owens has since led Sherrill Manufacturing, Inc. and Liberty Tabletop through the “ups and downs of a turbulent economy in the early 2000s, driving what is now a successful and rapidly growing company, as well as a brand that holds the applaudable position of being the only United States-made flatware manufacturer today,” MACNY said.
About Wardell
Wardell is the president of Marquardt Switches in Cazenovia, a manufacturer and supplier of switches, sensors, and controls.
He has worked at Marquardt for more than 13 years, serving as the firm’s director of operations and industrial engineering before his most recent promotion to president, MACNY said.
Wardell is “best-known for his approachable leadership style and imaginative, dream-big mentality. It’s that perspective that has been a driving-force in making Marquardt Cazenovia highly competitive throughout the global Marquardt group. He is always asking, ‘What’s next?’ and ‘How can we get better?’ His vision and constant focus to achieve the next thing on the horizon has generated continuous momentum for improvement at Marquardt,” MACNY said.
