Award Process and Application Guidelines

The Michigan Shingo Prize recognizes outstanding large and small Michigan manufacturing companies. Recipients of the prize demonstrate excellence in manufacturing practices that translate into excellent customer satisfaction and business results.

Manufacturing entities in existence three or more years, located and operated in Michigan that conform to the U.S. Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) of Manufacturing are eligible to apply for the Prize. For individual entities engaged in both service and manu facturing, classification is determined by the larger percentage of sales.

There are six steps within the application and award process. For more detailed information, please download the application guidelines (PDF, 312 KB).

1. Submit Intent to Apply Form and Application Fee
   Fee: Large Businesses: $3,500 Small Businesses: $1,500
2. Prepare the Achievement Report
   The Achievement Report is written documentation of the company's efforts and achievements in manufacturing excellence conforming to the criteria outlined in these guidelines.
3. Submit the Achievement Report
   Ten copies and one CD copy of the Achievement Report, are required. Since applications are received only once a year, some flexibility in the Achieve ment Report submission date is possible. If additional time is required, please contact the Michigan Shingo Prize Office to discuss an extension.
   Michigan Shingo Prize Office
   The Right Place, Inc.
   161 Ottawa Ave., Suite 400
   Grand Rapids , Michigan 49503
   Phone: 616-771-0561
   e-mail: info@rightplace.org
4. Notification of Finalist
   Achievement Reports are distributed to members of the Examination Team for review and scoring. Examination Team members will recommend high-scoring applicants or Finalists, for a site visit.
5. Site Visit
   Finalists for the Michigan Shingo Prize will receive a multi-day site visit by a team of examiners. The primary objective of the site visit is to verify, clarify and amplify the information contained within the Achievement Report.
   Applicants selected for a site visit pay an additional, non-refundable fee. The cost of the site visit is based, in part, on the nature and size of the applying entity. Fees generally run between $3,500 and $5,000 for single facility locations.
6. Final Notification
   Based upon the Achievement Report review and the site visit results, the Examination Teams may recommend a Finalist to the Steering Committee to become Michigan Shingo Prize recipient.