1. When will the award be presented?  The award is presented annually during the Salute to Manufacturing Awards Luncheon which will be held on May 4, 2009 at the Southeastern Institute of Manufacturing & Technology in Florence.  

2. Who presents the award?  Each award category is represented by a Title Sponsor that is a non-manufacturing company.  The award will be presented by a representative from the title sponsor company.

3. Who has received the award in the past?  The recipients for 2008 were Floralife, Inc. - small manufacturer, Walterboro, SC; BorgWarner Torque Transfer Systems - medium manufacturer, Seneca, SC; and Milliken & Company - large manufacturer, Spartanburg, SC.

The recipients for 2007 were BASF Corporation - small manufacturer, Spartanburg, SC; Inergy Automotive Systems - medium manufacturer, Anderson, SC; and Washington Savannah River Company - large manufacturer, Aiken, SC.

The recipients for 2006 were Jarden Plastic Solution, Inc. - small manufacturer, Greer, SC; U. S. Engine Valve - medium manufacturer, Westminster, SC; and Bridgestone Firestone - large manufacturer, Graniteville, SC. 

The recipients for 2005 were Automation Engineering Corporation - small manufacturer, Greenville, SC; Roche Carolina, Inc. - medium manufacturer, Florence, SC; and BD Diagnostics - large manufacturer, Sumter, SC. 

The recipients for 2004 were Decolam – small manufacturer, Orangeburg, SC; Borg Warner – medium manufacturer, Seneca, SC; and, Fuji Photo Film – large manufacturer, Greenwood, SC.

The recipients for 2003 were ISO Poly Films – small manufacturer, Gray Court, SC; United Defense – medium manufacturer, Aiken, SC; and, Sonoco – large manufacturer, Hartsville, SC.

The recipients for 2002 were Sealevel Systems Inc. – small manufacturer, Liberty, SC; U.S. Engine Valve Company – medium manufacturer, Westminster, SC; and, GE Gas Turbine Company – large manufacturer, Greenville, SC.

4. Who, from the award-winning companies, may attend the awards luncheon?  The companies who receive the award are given two complimentary seats for the awards luncheon and may bring anyone the company wishes to invite.  Alll nominated companies are invited to attend the luncheon.

5. Is there a cost to apply for the award?  There is no cost to apply for the award. All South Carolina Manufacturers are eligible and are encouraged to apply.

6. How does a company receive consideration for the award?  A company may be nominated either by a company employee or someone outside the company. Applications are available by completing and submitting our nomination form.  Deadline for submission is February 27, 2009.

7. What is the makeup of the selection committee?  The selection committee represents a cross section of the entire state.  Each category (small, medium, large) has a separate committee.  Members of the committee cannot be employed by a manufacturing organization.

8. How many awards are presented?  Each year, three awards are presented - one each to a small, medium, and large manufacturer.

9. When is the Silver Crescent nomination period?  The official nomination period is October 1, 2008 - February 27, 2009.

10. How will the applications be scored?  A selection committee will read and score each application. Each of the three criteria will be awarded a maximum of 30 points.  Up to ten points will be awarded for overall outstanding accomplishments.

11. How will privacy of information on the applications be assured?  Each selection committee member scores applications independently. No discussion of applicants between committee members occurs unless there is a tied score. All application copies are destroyed after the selection process is completed.

12. When will our company know if we have won an award?  The award winners will be announced at the Salute to Manufacturing Awards Luncheon on May 4, 2009 at the Southeastern Institute of Manufacturing and Technology in Florence. 

13. If our company does not win an award, will we be notified?  Since the award winners will be announced at the awards luncheon, award applicants will not be notified of their award status prior to the luncheon. All applicants are invited to attend the awards luncheon ceremony.