OREANDA-NEWS. The Mercedes-Benz Tuscaloosa plant (Mercedes-Benz U.S. International, Inc. – MBUSI) was named one of the State of Alabama’s 2013 Manufacturers of the Year in the category LARGE MANUFACTURER.

The Business Council of Alabama and the Alabama Technology Network announced the winners during a statewide event held in the middle of April. The awards began in 2000 and the event has consistently drawn state dignitaries and manufacturing leaders to honor companies that have a commitment to improving our economy. Gov. Robert Bentley presented the keynote address and the award to MBUSI Markus Schaefer during the event.

The awards program recognizes enterprises that exhibit excellence in leadership, performance, profitability and work force relations. Winners are selected by an independent panel that looks for superior performance in the areas of customer focus, employee commitment, operational excellence, continuous improvement, profitable growth and investment in training and retraining.