Manufacturing Month began with a citywide awards ceremony that recognized two manufacturing firms in the North Branch: Bel-Mar Wire Products Inc. and Monarch Sport.
Hosted by the Chicago Department of Planning and Development and World Business Chicago, the ceremony included remarks from Mayor Brandon Johnson (pictured above with Frank and Aliki Marinos, Bel-Mar Wire Products, and Ald. Walter Burnett, 27th Ward).
A family-owned, multi-generational custom display fixture manufacturer, Bel-Mar Wire Products Inc, won the City of Chicago’s Resilience in Manufacturing Award. Please see this dynamic video from the event.
The award recognized the company’s fifty-two-year history of supporting Chicago’s economy as well as its ability to overcome challenges such as NAFTA and the pandemic.
Bel-Mar Wire Products serves a wide range of industries, including retail, food and beverage, snacks and confections, sports, automotive, healthcare, technology, pharmaceutical, and more.
Please reach out to Bel-Mar Wire Products for your custom display needs.
Monarc Sport won the Rising Star Award. Located on Goose Island, the company manufactures robotic quarterbacks called The Seeker.
The Seeker emulates every type of game-like pass, kick or punt anywhere on the field, allowing athletes to train by themselves whenever it's convenient.
Please see this short video about the company.
The company serves college athletic departments and professional teams.
The co-founders, Bhargav Maganti and Igor Karlicic (pictured right), grew up in Chicago and recently moved the company to the city where they see the potential for tremendous growth.
North Branch Works would also like to recognize our Board Member, Dr. Sonat Birnecker Hart (pictured below), from KOVAL Distillery, who received with the Manufacturing Leader Award.
She is a tireless advocate for the manufacturing industry, business development, and high-quality jobs. Please see this video that features her leadership and the story of KOVAL Distillery.
Congratulations to Bel-Mar Wire Products, Monarch Sport, and KOVAL Distillery for wining 2024 Manufacturing Awards.
Thank you for elevating manufacturing in Chicago and strengthening our local economy.
Image credits: World Business Chicago
