Edwardsburg, MI‐ October 14, 2022 Duo-Form is receiving statewide recognition as a Top Three Finalist for the 2022
MFG Excellence Award, presented by the Michigan Manufacturers Association (MMA).
The MMA will honor the winners of the 2022 MFG Excellence Awards during a celebration on Thursday, Nov. 10, 2022,
in Lansing. Duo-Form is being considered for this honor due to its dedication and expertise in the industry.
The MFG Excellence Awards is the annual statewide celebration of the exceptional contributions that Michigan
manufacturers make to their workforce, their communities, the economy and the industry. The program promotes the
inspiring stories of Michigan’s manufacturing industry, the thousands of unique manufacturing companies across the
state, the hundreds of thousands of Michiganders employed in the industry and the local communities that support it.
Duo-Form, an ISO 9001:2015 certified heavy gauge plastic thermoformer, is an industry leader in the RV OEM industry,
and provides a variety of thermoformed products to the RV industry, used by internationally recognized businesses
including a complete line of skylights, bath and RV lifestyle products. Last year, Duo expanded their RV parts offering to
the ever‐growing RV aftermarket‐ and has launched over a dozen products designed and developed especially for
existing RV owners wanting to repair and rehab or update and modernize their existing RV.
“We have reinvented the way we think about employee culture and engagement,” explains Shelly Ditmer, Duo-Form
President, “and have made a significant effort to further diversify our work force in order to help increase employee
morale and instill a desire to be more effective and work more efficiently. We have promoted more people from within,
from the factory production floor to mid‐level and senior management in the last 2 years than we ever have‐ and we
have found that this kind of engagement with our staff and overall, DUO culture has resulted in increased productivity
and effectiveness. We are proud to be developing among other things, the creation of a Culture Task Force and a Duo
Safety Team.”
Beyond the dedication to building the strongest team they can, and developing new and sustainable products for diverse
partners across the spectrum‐ DUO has also made it their mission to have the top manufacturing standard for
sustainability. Even having included that goal in their updated Mission Statement for 2022/23. Ditmer continues, “It’s
part of our MISSION to care for the planet, and make plastics manufacturing as safe and eco‐friendly as possible. DUO
Cares about the Cycle of Respect for the futures of our families and communities. We understand that our operations
affect the environment, thus being environmentally responsible is an essential part of our Duo Difference philosophy.”
Duo has a dedicated Recycling Supervisor to ensure recycling protocols are upheld in everything in their production
process from raw materials to final product. And to further their commitment to making a difference, “We ensure our
partners are like‐minded in their sustainability practices and that they are also good stewards for the environment. This
enables us to use material with as much recycled content that is viable for the end product as demonstrated in our
proprietary line which contains 90% recycled material,” Ditmer explains.
“It’s a major honor to be considered as a top 3 finalist for the 2022 MFG Excellence Award,” shares Mike Gonser, DUO
Vice President of Operations, “and we are proud to represent Southwestern Lower Michigan and celebrate this
recognition to Michigan’s workforce, communities, and economy.”
Celebrating its 120th anniversary in 2023, the Michigan Manufacturers Association serves as a unifying champion of an
industry that is in constant evolution and growth. The MMA represents the most diverse manufacturing center in
perhaps the entire world. And just as they have since the industrial revolution, they will continue to be the cradle of
innovation and invention for generations to come, all with a sole purpose of advocating for, supporting, training and
growing the manufacturing industry in Michigan. Learn more about MMA and the 2022 MFG Excellence Awards at
mimfg.org.
ABOUT DUO-FORM
PROUDLY FORMING YOUR IDEAS, SINCE 1968.
MISSION STATEMENT: We believe in the Duo Difference, where we combine exceptional customer service with 50 plus years of thermoforming
experience‐ and transition our customer’s ideas into successful and prosperous reality. The Duo Difference brings innovation and ingenuity
through building strong teams and strategic partnerships along with a dedication to continuous improvement and learning. All made possible
with an employee‐centric attitude and positive work environment. Teamwork, Culture, and Employees are at the heart of what we Duo.
ISO 9001 Certified: Duo-Form, operates with an ISO 9001:2015 certified quality management system.
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If you would like more information about this topic, please contact DUO at 269‐663‐8525, or
jpapke@duoformplastics.com
