What is a Leadtime Leader?

A Leadtime Leader is a company that performs beyond the status quo using any and all resources available to it, whether that means teamwork between skilled employees and well-managed scheduling or having the latest machinery and equipment, automation, etc. – or both. It’s all about what you do with what you have. It’s optimizing what you have to build the best molds for customers while keeping costs fair and meeting deliveries. It’s not about being the biggest, most fancy shop. It’s about working smarter and with a passion for what you do

MoldMaking Technology's Leadtime Leader Awards Competition Returns!

A global pandemic impacted the schedule for MoldMaking Technology’s annual Leadtime Leader Awards Competition, resulting in its absence for the past two years. But, we are ready to pick it up again for 2024 with plans to honor the winner once again on the cover of MMT and during an Awards Ceremony at Amerimold 2024, June 5-6, in Columbus, Ohio.

Next year is Amerimold’s 25th anniversary, so we are going back to where the brand began to see how far we’ve come (and by “we,” I mean the moldmaking community because we could do none of this without you), making it the perfect place to reignite the recognition of this critical niche of manufacturing.

For those unfamiliar with MMT’s Leadtime Leader Awards (and as a refresher for others), this program began in 2003 to honor excellence in mold manufacturing. It is open to every North American mold manufacturer, regardless of size, capabilities, equipment, etc. We’ve honored shops of all sizes with different specialties, equipment and employees. Every shop does many of the same things, but it’s what your shop does differently — or perhaps better — that helps set it apart as a Leadtime Leader. It can be almost anything. Just think about what your customers most appreciate about your company, which could be the game changer.

The competition looks at the following aspects of your business:

Customer satisfaction
Workforce development
Industry involvement
Continuous improvement
Business growth
Technology employed
Competitive advantage

It’s not just about being the shop with the shortest delivery times. It’s about what you do with what you have.

Click here to access the questionnaire we use to assess each candidate. It's essential that MMT receive a full account of a company’s history, capabilities, technologies, lead time record, markets served, etc., to have sufficient information to compare against other shops that have entered the competition. We ask that you be as thorough as possible.

This questionnaire may take a few hours to complete. It may also require the help of specific personnel to gather some of the company data and details we request for proper judging. But it’s worth it!