Hutchinson Manufacturing Executive Receives Award
Company president Tom Daggett is honored with the 2018 Made in Minnesota Manufacturing Awards Lifetime Achievement Award.
Posted: July 21, 2018
“I am very honored and humbled to accept this tremendous award. I have literally spent my entire life in Minnesota’s manufacturing industry, so this honor is especially meaningful. I accept it on behalf of the hundreds of dedicated Hutchinson Manufacturing and Pride Solutions employees, past and present, who have helped our family build several successful businesses, and also on behalf of my parents whose legacy we continue to honor.”
Hutchinson Manufacturing LLC (Hutchinson, MN) announced that their president, Tom Daggett, is being honored with the 2018 Made in Minnesota Manufacturing Awards Lifetime Achievement Award from Minnesota Business magazine. He will be recognized during a September 20 ceremony at the Machine Shop in Minneapolis. “I am very honored and humbled to accept this tremendous award,” said Daggett. “I have literally spent my entire life in Minnesota’s manufacturing industry, so this honor is especially meaningful. I accept it on behalf of the hundreds of dedicated Hutchinson Manufacturing and Pride Solutions employees, past and present, who have helped our family build several successful businesses, and also on behalf of my parents whose legacy we continue to honor.”
Daggett was born into the manufacturing business. His parents, “Bud” and Doris Daggett, started Hutchinson Manufacturing and Sales Inc. in 1953, the year he was born, and the company is now celebrating their 65th anniversary. By the age of 12, Tom’s father was finding work for him to do around the family’s metal fabricating plant. By 16, Tom had first-hand experience running many of the processes in the plant, from shearing, saw, press brake and welding. Following high school, a degree from the University of Minnesota and a short stint in other employment, he came back to work in the family business as general manager in 1978, taking over as president in 1991.
Under his leadership, the company has grown to a multi-million dollar firm with global sales, primarily in the defense, nuclear and industrial sectors. They have weathered multiple recessions by being cautious with debt and by becoming a full-service manufacturer, offering fabrication, welding, machining and painting in one facility. What started as a mom-and-pop shop making clothesline poles and picnic table frames in a 2,400 sq ft facility now occupies 100,000 sq ft of manufacturing space and has 150+ employees.
Continuing his father’s tradition of giving back to the community, Tom has been active in the local community, serving as the chairman of the Hutchinson Area Health Care Board, the chairman of the ISD #425 Hutchinson School District, and serving on numerous task forces for local and regional development. Hutchinson Manufacturing supports numerous organizations, including the Ridgewater College Welding Advisory Board, Hutchinson School Board, MN Workforce Development Committee – Positively MN, manufacturing industry trade associations, Hutchinson Chamber of Commerce, Minnesota Chamber of Commerce, National Association of Manufacturers, Minnesota Precision Manufacturing Association, Employers Association, and the National Federation of Independent Businesses.
The company also contributes to several charities, including United Way, Hutchinson Community Foundation, Hutchinson Area Health Care Foundation, Boy Scouts of America and more. Hutchinson Manufacturing employees are encouraged to volunteer in the community. Tom and his wife Barb recently celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary. They have two children and two grandchildren. In his free time, he enjoys cross-country and downhill skiing, biking, fishing, and golf.
Subscribe to learn the latest in manufacturing.
