Landscape Forms, North America’s leading designer and manufacturer of premium site furniture, structure, lighting, and accessories, is proud to announce that the company’s Operations Engineering Manager, Charles Washburn, has received statewide recognition as the recipient of the 2024 Manufacturing Emerging Leader Award. The honor is part of the Manufacturing Excellence Awards, presented annually by the Michigan Manufacturers Association (MMA).

Presented November 6, 2024, in Lansing, the Manufacturing 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.

Recognized for his passion for mentorship, his key role building a positive workplace culture, and his commitment to excellence in everything he does, Charles Washburn was officially named this year’s Manufacturing Emerging Leader in the award ceremony earlier this month. “Being recognized as an Emerging Leader by the Michigan Manufacturing Association is a personal honor, and I’m so thankful to the MMA for seeing such potential in me,” says Washburn. “Not only is craftsmanship and manufacturing expertise a huge cornerstone of what we do at Landscape Forms, but so is mentoring our team members to grow and achieve their professional goals. I look forward to continuing that tradition of excellence, guiding and inspiring the next generation of Michigan manufacturers.”

According to Natalie Jackson, Landscape Forms Director of Talent and Organization Development, Washburn is a standout representation of the company’s ethos, combining a relentless dedication to manufacturing excellence with a spirit of collaboration that begets workplace positivity, encourages teamwork, and inspires personal growth among teammates. “Charles just embodies all of those principles,” says Jackson. "He’s probably one of the most collaborative leaders we have here — someone who sets the bar high for his team, gets great results and really lives the values of the business through and through.”

Beginning his career at Landscape Forms seven years ago as a Manufacturing Engineer, Washburn rose through the company’s ranks and hit his stride in a leadership role. “Once Charles stepped into leadership, he really gained momentum and speed,” says Landscape Forms Director of Technical Operations and Washburn’s nominator for the 2024 Manufacturing Emerging Leader Award, Blaise Beltowski. “He really understood what leadership was about, which is a conjunction of what an organization needs and what an individual wants or needs, and bringing those two things together. He’s also very good at setting clear expectations, providing exceptional feedback and bringing people along with him.”

In his current role as Operations Engineering Manager, Washburn works with their engineering, quality assurance, new product development and manufacturing training teams. He frequently challenges the status quo to find more optimal ways of doing things, such as how they deliver products. “On top of that, he’s a culture driver,” Beltowski continues. “He’s a change agent within the organization. Everyone is positive around him. Everyone has a ‘Charles impact’ story.”

Washburn’s passion for mentorship extends beyond his work at Landscape Forms. He is a compassionate resource for students and young adults interested in manufacturing and related careers, regularly introducing high school students to his workplace, offering internships with his alma mater Western Michigan University, working with Big Brothers Big Sisters, and even coaching a local flag football team. “Charles mentors the next generation from a standpoint of compassion and empathy,” Beltowski concludes. “He cares about ensuring that there’s future success out there within manufacturing and engineering and just in general throughout society.”

About Landscape Forms

Landscape Forms is the industry leader in integrated collections of high-design site furniture, structures, accessories, and advanced LED lighting. Since its founding in 1969 Landscape Forms has earned a reputation for excellent design, high quality products and exceptional service. The company is headquartered in Kalamazoo, Michigan, and our family of brands includes Loll Designs in Duluth, Minnesota; Summit Furniture in Monterey, California; and Kornegay Design located in Phoenix, Arizona.  It has sales representatives throughout North America, South America, the United Kingdom, Monaco, Australia, the United Arab Emirates and Asia. Landscape Forms collaborates with renowned industrial designers and consultancies, landscape architects, and architects to design and develop integrated collections of products that address emerging needs and help create a sense of place. Additionally, the company has formed global marketing partnerships with select companies that share its commitment to design. Landscape Forms has an installed base of products around the world. Clients include municipalities, hospitality, residential, transit centers, corporate, college and health care campuses; and familiar brand leaders such as Harvard University, Linked In, New York Central Park Conservancy, Bryant Park, Google, Coca Cola, Oculus, U.S. Tennis Association (USTA), Nike, National Museum of African American History (Washington, D.C.), Barclays Center, Adidas, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Microsoft, and Uber. We’ve been named one of the Best Workplaces in Manufacturing & Production for 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024 by Fortune Magazine, Michigan Manufacturer of the Year for 2020 by the Michigan Manufacturers Association, and by 269 Magazine as one of Southwest Michigan’s Wonderful Workplaces.​ 

About Michigan Manufacturers Association (MMA)

For more than 120 years, MMA has served as a unifying champion of an industry that is in constant evolution and growth. They represent the most diverse manufacturing center in perhaps the entire world and, just as they have since the industrial revolution, Michigan will continue to be the cradle of innovation and invention for generations to come. MMA’s sole purpose is to advocate for, support, train and grow the manufacturing industry in Michigan. 

Learn more about MMA and the 2024 Manufacturing Excellence Awards at mimfg.org/excellence.