Recognition highlights Velosity’s commitment to manufacturing excellence, continuous improvement, workplace safety, and investing in its people
FOREST LAKE, MN (October 6, 2026) – Velosity is honored to be recognized as the 2026 Manufacturer of the Year – Large Companies by Manufacturers Alliance. The award recognizes Velosity’s commitment to manufacturing excellence through continuous improvement, workplace safety, innovation, workforce development, and industry leadership.
“Being recognized as Manufacturer of the Year is a tremendous honor and a reflection of the incredible work our employees do every day,” said Dave Hemink, CEO of Velosity. “Our success is built on a culture of continuous improvement, innovation, and operational excellence. This recognition reinforces our commitment to investing in our people, strengthening our capabilities, and delivering exceptional results for our customers.”
For more than 60 years, Velosity has been a trusted manufacturing partner, providing custom contract manufacturing, injection molding, precision machining, tooling, and engineering solutions for complex and highly regulated applications.
Driving Excellence Through Safety, Continuous Improvement, and People
Employee safety, continuous improvement, and workforce development are at the center of Velosity’s culture. The company recently earned three Governor’s Workplace Safety Awards from the Minnesota Safety Council, including a Platinum Achievement Award for its Brooklyn Park location, the program’s highest level of recognition.
Since launching its formal continuous improvement program in 2024, Velosity has created a structured approach to encourage employee ideas and drive process improvements. In 2025, employees submitted 313 ideas, completed projects increased from 27 to 64, and the program generated more than $933,000 in cost savings.
Velosity continues to invest in the future of manufacturing through apprenticeship and internship programs, educational partnerships, facility tours, and industry knowledge sharing. The company supports three tooling apprentices, welcomes 5-7 manufacturing and quality interns each summer, and hosts more than 50 tours annually for customers, students, and community groups.
These efforts reflect Velosity's ongoing commitment to operational excellence, workforce development, and fostering a culture where employees are empowered to innovate, continuously improve, and deliver exceptional results for customers. In 2025, the company achieved an 83% employee retention rate, increased representation of underrepresented communities from 28% to 34%, and women accounted for 36% of promotions while making up 32% of the workforce.
“Our people are the reason we continue to grow and earn the trust of our customers,” said Darren Bjork, Chief Commercial Officer at Velosity. “This award celebrates the dedication, expertise, and collaborative spirit of our team. Every day, our employees look for ways to improve, innovate, and deliver exceptional results, and that commitment is what sets Velosity apart.”
The award was presented at the Manufacturers Alliance annual awards conference on October 6, 2026.
About Velosity
Velosity is dedicated to supporting device manufacturers in delivering innovative and reliable healthcare products. We offer comprehensive contract manufacturing, injection molding, precision machining, and tool building for complex and highly regulated applications. Starting with expert guidance at the design-for-manufacturing stage, we ensure seamless production while maintaining the highest quality and safety standards throughout the manufacturing process. For more information, visit www.velosity.com.
About Manufacturers Alliance Manufacturers Alliance is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting manufacturing leaders through education, peer networking, workforce development, and industry insights. With more than 90 years of experience serving the manufacturing community, Manufacturers Alliance connects leaders and organizations to share best practices, solve challenges, and advance operational excellence across the industry.
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