FloridaMakes has announced the recipients of the 2025 Florida Manufacturer Employer of Choice Awards. The awards recognize ten manufacturers in Florida for their efforts to create workplaces that support employee growth and retention. The honorees will be formally recognized at the MakeMore Manufacturing Summit in Orlando on October 22, 2025.
The awards are divided into three categories based on company size. In the large manufacturer category, Medtronic (Jacksonville), Bausch + Lomb (Tampa), Sun Hydraulics (Sarasota), and Nautique Boat Company (Orlando) were selected. For medium manufacturers, the winners are 247 Manufacturing (Fort Lauderdale area), MtronPTI (Orlando), and Jupiter Bach (Pensacola). The small manufacturer category includes EZ Automation Systems, LLC (Jacksonville), VGM Holdings, LLC (South Florida), and Ecological Laboratories, Inc. (Cape Coral).
The Employer of Choice program is an online assessment offered at no cost by FloridaMakes. It evaluates companies on 39 metrics across six areas: recruitment and hiring, upskilling and career pathways, benefits, financial wellness, employee support and environment, and employee engagement. This assessment provides companies with an objective benchmark for job quality and workplace practices.
Candy Cole, Executive Director of the Manufacturers Association of Central Florida, said, “The manufacturers recognized here in Central Florida are a testament to the power of investing in people. These companies understand that creating a culture where employees feel valued, supported, and equipped to grow is key to long-term success. Their commitment strengthens not only their own operations but the entire Central Florida manufacturing community.”
Kevin Carr, Chief Executive Officer at FloridaMakes, stated, “FloridaMakes is proud to support the Florida Manufacturing Employer of Choice program. By recognizing these outstanding companies, we highlight the essential role a strong workplace culture plays in helping manufacturers attract and retain top talent, while driving competitiveness across the state.”
Each award recipient receives a detailed analytics report with benchmarks and recommendations for improving workforce practices.
FloridaMakes is a public-private partnership focused on strengthening the manufacturing sector in Florida by offering advice and technical assistance to help manufacturers grow and become more profitable. It serves as the official representative of the MEP National Network and NIST MEP in Florida.
More information about the Employer of Choice program can be found at www.FloridaMakes.com/eoc.
