Southern Illinois News

The Illinois Manufacturers’ Association 2020 Annual Luncheon – virtual this year because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic – went off without a hitch this month as members gathered online, rather than in person as in previous years.

North Chicago-based biopharmaceutical company AbbVie, which has worked to ensure its employees' safety and that its patients receive their medicines while also collaborating with health authorities and institutions worldwide to identify potential treatments, received Manufacture of the Year honors. AbbVie "directly supported" Illinois pandemic response and converted lab space into testing facilities and manufacturing viral transport media for the state's health department's use.

"AbbVie represents the best of Illinois manufacturing, using research and technology to take on our toughest health care challenges and make a remarkable impact on people’s lives," IMA President and CEO Mark Denzler said. "I’m so proud to recognize AbbVie as the 2020 Barry L. MacLean Manufacturer of the Year. During the pandemic, AbbVie’s amazing team stepped up to answer our state’s call by producing critical products needed for testing while adhering to the highest standards in quality. AbbVie's innovation, integrity and investment in our communities is making the world a better place every single day."

This year's keynote speaker was 3M Executive Vice President Michael Vale, in recognition of that company's efforts to produce and distribute personal protective equipment during the pandemic, according to the IMA news release issued the day of the event.

Previous pandemics, including H1N1 and Ebola, led 3M to develop a “surge capacity” to meet rapid increases in demand which includes the production of 1 billion masks by the end of the year. The still-raging pandemic forced the event online this year but IMA still managed to bring together business leaders in "a virtual celebration honoring the important work of manufacturers, who have played a critical role in responding to the coronavirus pandemic and will be vital to our nation’s long-term recovery."