FloridaMakes has announced the recipients of the 2025 Florida Manufacturer Employer of Choice Awards. The awards honor manufacturers in Florida that have demonstrated strong workplace practices and employee support. The winners will be formally recognized at the MakeMore Manufacturing Summit, scheduled for October 22, 2025, in Orlando.
The awards are divided into three categories based on company size. Large manufacturer honorees include Medtronic (Jacksonville), Bausch + Lomb (Tampa), Sun Hydraulics (Sarasota), and Nautique Boat Company (Orlando). Medium manufacturers recognized are 247 Manufacturing (Fort Lauderdale area), MtronPTI (Orlando), and Jupiter Bach (Pensacola). In the small manufacturer category, the winners are 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 related to human resources across six areas: recruitment and hiring, upskilling and career pathways, benefits, financial wellness, employee support and environment, and employee engagement. The program provides companies with an objective benchmark for job quality and workplace practices.
Candy Cole, Executive Director of the Manufacturers Association of Central Florida, stated, “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, said, “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 of the recognized companies will receive a detailed analytics report with benchmarks, insights, and recommendations to further improve their workforce practices.
More information about the Employer of Choice program is available at www.FloridaMakes.com/eoc.
FloridaMakes is a public-private partnership focused on strengthening Florida’s manufacturing sector. It provides manufacturers with technical assistance and serves as the state representative for the MEP National Network and NIST MEP.
