BUSINESS DIRECTORY  |  EVENTS  |  JOIN  |  MEMBER LOGIN

Nebraska Chamber of Commerce & Industry

  • About
    • Board of Directors
    • Our Team
    • History
    • Contact
  • Advocacy
    • Councils
    • Access ARPA >
      • ARPA Quick Apply
      • ARPA Resources
    • 2023 Priorities
    • Results For Business
  • Awards & Programs
    • Blueprint Nebraska
    • Nebraska Business Hall of Fame
    • Nebraska Business Hall of Fame Scholarship Program >
      • Scholarship Program
      • Scholarship Winners
    • NE Manufacturers of the Year
    • Leadership Nebraska
    • NE Chambers Association
  • Membership
    • Membership Benefits >
      • Bronze Level
      • Silver Level
      • Gold Level
      • Platinum Level
      • Cornerstone Level
    • Membership Resources
    • Cornerstone Members
    • Membership Application
    • Member Login
  • Sectors
    • Business & Industry
    • Manufacturing
    • Agriculture & Agribusiness
    • Transportation
    • Technology
    • Workforce
  • Foundation
    • About the Foundation
    • Foundation Board
    • Foundation Initiatives >
      • Leadership Nebraska
      • NE Business Hall of Fame Scholarship
      • Non-Partisan Research Projects
      • Foundation Giving >
        • Foundation Giving Donation page
    • NE Economic & Workforce Dashboard
    • Donate Now to the NE Chamber Foundation
  • Business Directory
  • Events & News
    • Chamber Calendar
    • Chamber News
  • About
    • Board of Directors
    • Our Team
    • History
    • Contact
  • Advocacy
    • Councils
    • Access ARPA >
      • ARPA Quick Apply
      • ARPA Resources
    • 2023 Priorities
    • Results For Business
  • Awards & Programs
    • Blueprint Nebraska
    • Nebraska Business Hall of Fame
    • Nebraska Business Hall of Fame Scholarship Program >
      • Scholarship Program
      • Scholarship Winners
    • NE Manufacturers of the Year
    • Leadership Nebraska
    • NE Chambers Association
  • Membership
    • Membership Benefits >
      • Bronze Level
      • Silver Level
      • Gold Level
      • Platinum Level
      • Cornerstone Level
    • Membership Resources
    • Cornerstone Members
    • Membership Application
    • Member Login
  • Sectors
    • Business & Industry
    • Manufacturing
    • Agriculture & Agribusiness
    • Transportation
    • Technology
    • Workforce
  • Foundation
    • About the Foundation
    • Foundation Board
    • Foundation Initiatives >
      • Leadership Nebraska
      • NE Business Hall of Fame Scholarship
      • Non-Partisan Research Projects
      • Foundation Giving >
        • Foundation Giving Donation page
    • NE Economic & Workforce Dashboard
    • Donate Now to the NE Chamber Foundation
  • Business Directory
  • Events & News
    • Chamber Calendar
    • Chamber News

NEChamber NEWS

Aulick Industries, Lincoln Premium Poultry Named 2022 Manufacturers of the Year

10/12/2022

0 Comments

 
LINCOLN – Lincoln Premium Poultry (LPP) and Aulick Industries have been named Nebraska Manufacturers of the Year. Aulick received the award for small-sized manufacturers, while LPP received the award for large manufacturers.
 
The award recognizes Nebraska manufacturers that implement innovative ways to conduct business using products, processes, technologies and other strategies. The companies were honored today at the annual NE Chamber Manufacturing Summit, with top sponsor RSM US LLP, a leading provider of audit, tax and consulting services to manufacturing and wholesale distribution industries. More event sponsors are recognized at nechamber.com
 
“This year’s honorees are helping equip and feed the world,” said Bryan Slone, NE Chamber president. “Their hard work, innovation, and commitment to building strong futures for Nebraska families are admirable and appreciated. Our goal is to make Nebraska the best place for companies like Aulick and Lincoln Premium Poultry to operate and expand for decades to come."
 
Small Manufacturer of the Year - Headquartered in Scottsbluff, Aulick is a manufacturer of agricultural transportation equipment. Its Belt Trailers and silage boxes are designed for easy loading, hauling and unloading of any farm commodity. Aulick has also expanded into construction, landscaping, and dump boxes, and most recently, goose neck trailers. 
  
The operation traces its beginnings to a gas station opened in 1952 by Harry Aulick. In Harry’s downtime, he began rewinding alternators and starters. When demand for the business took off, he sold the gas station and moved into a shop down the street where he began working on truck frame modifications, leading to the innovative design of the silage box in the 1970s. By the early 2000s, Aulick officially grew into manufacturing various trailers and boxes. Operations are currently in transition from the second to the third generation of Aulick’s. Now occupying four buildings along the South Beltline in Scottsbluff, the company has more than 130 employees in 12 locations, across the U.S., including Grand Island and Benkelman. This year marks Aulick Industries’ 70th year of business.
  
“Nebraska’s largest industry is ag. The fastest growing industry in Nebraska is manufacturing. We cater to both of those,” said Austin Aulick. “Our work impacts the state, not just through the initial sale of our products, but through every load that’s hauled by our customers.” 
 
A long-time corporate citizen, Aulick has recently been recognized for its innovative approach to reinvesting in workforce development, including offering high school internships, helping start up a high school diesel technicians’ experiential learning program (housed onsite at Aulick’s), and creating college apprenticeships. In 2009, Aulick received the Scottsbluff/Gering United Chamber of Commerce Trail Blazer Award.
 
Large Manufacturer of the Year - Lincoln Premium Poultry is a Nebraska company established in 2016 for Costco to serve as the poultry management company in its new poultry complex in Fremont. The state-of-the-art processing facility, hatchery and feed mill represents a $500 million investment in the region, with an additional $400 million investment by local grower partners. The facility employs 1,200 Nebraskans and delivers an estimated total economic impact of $1.2 billion annually, approximately 1% of Nebraska’s gross domestic product.

“Before we opened this facility, we traveled the world, literally. We looked at technology in many other countries. We toured both manufacturing and poultry facilities with a couple of goals in mind – automation and safety,” said Walt Shafer, chief operating officer of Lincoln Premium Poultry. “We wanted to take care of all our team members before we even hired them.”

LPP is involved in numerous state and local organizations including the Greater Fremont Development Council, the Fremont Area Chamber of Commerce, the Alliance for the Future of Agriculture in Nebraska, and the NE Chamber, in addition to engaging nationally in the U.S. Poultry and Egg Association and the National Chicken Council.

NE Manufacturing

Nebraska is home to more than 1,500 manufacturers employing 101,000 workers. One in 10 jobs is in manufacturing. The industry contributes more than $14.1 billion annually to Nebraska’s gross state product. Average annual wages in manufacturing exceeded $67,000 in 2019, the most recent year data is available.

The NE Chamber is the largest, statewide business association and Nebraska’s affiliate of the National Association of Manufacturers. It has proudly served as an advocate for Nebraska’s business and industry since 1912.

###Award videos available at https://www.nechamber.com/ne-manufacturers-of-the-year.html
Picture
Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts (center left) presents the Small Manufacturer of the Year Award to Aulick Industries owners Kolby, Vinc and Austin Aulick (left to right) at the NE Chamber Manufacturing Summit on October 11.
Listed from left to right:
Bryan Slone, President, NE Chamber, Mike Johnson, Chief Operating Officer & Vice President, Manufacturing, NE Chamber, Pete Ricketts, Governor of Nebraska, Kolby Aulick, Third Generation Owner, Vinc Aulick, Second Generation Owner, Jacob Aulick, Third Generation Owner
Picture
​Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts (third from left) presents the Large Manufacturer of the Year Award to Lincoln Premium Poultry (LPP) Chief Operating Officer Walt Shafer, Complex Manager Mike Ellington, Chief Financial Officer Mike Sindelar and several members of the LPP team at the NE Chamber Manufacturing Summit on October 11.
0 Comments

Kawasaki R211 rail car named Coolest Thing Made in Nebraska 2022

10/11/2022

0 Comments

 
The New York City Transit Authority’s modern R211 rail car, manufactured by Kawasaki Motors Manufacturing Corp. in Lincoln, Nebraska, has been named the “Coolest Thing Made in Nebraska” for 2022.

Manufacturers, students, and all Nebraskans were invited to vote in a head-to-head, bracket-style matchup of 16 finalists to determine the 2022 winner. Learn about each of the finalists at nemanufacturingalliance.com. In total, the four rounds of voting drew more than 20,500 votes total.

“This was an exciting contest for Nebraska’s manufacturing community. We saw friendly face-offs on social media and employees seeking votes from family, friends and communities,” said Mike Johnson, chief operations officer and vice president of manufacturing for the NE Chamber. “But in the end, we’re all aligned in highlighting the global problem-solving and world-class, high-tech products coming out of our hometowns across Nebraska every day.”

The champion was announced October 11 at the NE Chamber’s Manufacturing Summit in La Vista, where the 16 products featured in the tournament were also invited to display their products.

The contest, hosted by the NE Manufacturing Alliance and powered by the NE Chamber, celebrates the state’s thriving manufacturing industry with Nebraska residents, students, educators, community leaders, manufacturers and especially, the vast number of Nebraskans working in manufacturing every day.

###

About NE Manufacturing Alliance
​

Five statewide manufacturing groups have pledged to coordinate efforts to grow manufacturing and STEM workforce in Nebraska over the next decade. Learn more at nemanufacturingalliance.com.
Picture
Mike Johnson, NE Chamber COO, awards Kawasaki Motors Manufacturing Corp., U.S.A. President, Mike Boyle, with the 2022 Winner award for the Coolest Thing Made in Nebraska. Kawasaki nominated their NYC Subway car. Click the photo to see the top 16 products in the Coolest Thing Made in Nebraska Contest.
0 Comments

Nebraskans encouraged to vote for ‘Coolest Thing Made in Nebraska’ champion

10/4/2022

0 Comments

 
LINCOLN – Two Nebraska-made products are in a head-to-head race to claim the championship title in Nebraska’s first ever “Coolest Thing Made in Nebraska” tournament. Manufacturers, students, and all Nebraskans are invited to vote for their favorite product now through October 9. Online voting is available at nemanufacturingalliance.com.

The following Nebraska manufacturers and their featured products are finalists:

  • Pivot Walker, Chief Fabrication, Grand Island
  • New York City Transit Authority R211 Rail Car, Kawasaki, Lincoln

The first three rounds drew more than 17,500 votes total. Each contestant has submitted a photo and description to aid in voting. Only one vote per person will be allowed.

The champion will be announced October 11 at the NE Chamber’s Manufacturing Summit in La Vista, where the 16 products featured in the tournament are also invited to display their products.

The contest, hosted by the NE Manufacturing Alliance and powered by the NE Chamber, celebrates the state’s thriving manufacturing industry with Nebraska residents, students, educators, community leaders, manufacturers and especially, the vast number of Nebraskans working in manufacturing every day.

###

About NE Manufacturing Alliance
Five statewide manufacturing groups have pledged to coordinate efforts to grow manufacturing and STEM workforce in Nebraska over the next decade. Learn more at nemanufacturingalliance.com.
Picture
0 Comments

    Media Contacts:

    Please email Holley Salmi at hsalmi@nechamber.com with your media requests or call 402.474.4612

    Archives

    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    January 2021
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020

    RSS Feed

Copyright Nebraska Chamber of Commerce & Industry.  All Rights Reserved.
Mailing address: P.O. Box 95128  |  Lincoln, NE 68509
Physical address:  1128 Lincoln Mall,
 Suite 302, Lincoln, NE 68508
Phone: (402) 474-4422
| nechamber@nechamber.com
​

Send us a message
Contact us


Resources
NE Human Resources Library
Nebraska.gov
Nebraska Tourism
Nebraska Game & Parks
Governor's Office
Nebraska Unicameral
NCA

​Transparency in Coverage Information




​Affiliations
Nebraska Chamber of 
     Commerce & Industry
National Association of
     Manufacturers

US Chamber of Commerce
NE Chamber Membership
     Directory 

Leadership Nebraska
MemberClicks