The Conexus Manufacturing Innovation Award honors companies that are meaningfully innovating how products are designed, built and delivered. The 2026 nominees include a safety hardware startup, legacy manufacturers and global automation leaders using advanced technologies to improve productivity, resilience and competitiveness in Indiana’s advanced manufacturing and logistics (AML) sector.
Together, these companies demonstrate how Industry 4.0 is taking shape on factory floors across the state.
The Conexus Indiana Manufacturing Innovation Award nominees are:
- DoorBlockade, South Bend: DoorBlockade is a South Bend–based safety hardtech startup manufacturing a code-compliant device that allows interior doors to be secured in seconds, without permanent installation or modification. Designed with life-safety and accessibility in mind, the patented device addresses a long-standing challenge in the security and facilities space.
As the company scaled, DoorBlockade focused not just on product design, but on manufacturability. The team strengthened its patented design, reduced complexity and implemented digital material tracing to support quality control and traceability. They also de-risked their supply chain through modular design and smart sourcing strategies, helping ensure reliable production as demand grows. The result is a product that is not only easier to deploy in schools, offices, and other facilities, but also easier to manufacture consistently and at scale.
- Major Tool & Machine, Indianapolis: Indianapolis-based Major Tool & Machine is a leading contract manufacturer specializing in large-scale, high-precision machining and fabrication for some of the world’s most demanding industries.
Through a partnership with Siemens, Major Tool & Machine embedded real-time adaptive control and monitoring directly into its CNC operations. By leveraging data already available in machine controls, the company implemented software that continuously monitors cutting conditions and automatically adjusts feed rates to optimize performance.
This approach improved process control, reduced cycle times and unlocked additional machine capacity without adding new equipment. It also helped shift day-to-day operations toward more data-driven decision-making, bringing machinists, programmers and engineers together around shared performance insights.
- MSP Manufacturing, Bloomington: Founded more than 80 years ago, MSP Manufacturing is a Bloomington-based precision machining company serving the aerospace, defense and commercial markets. In recent years, the company has undergone a significant digital transformation to modernize its operations while preserving its focus on quality and craftsmanship.
MSP’s investments include AI-assisted process management, advanced CNC automation and the implementation of modern ERP systems to better integrate production, scheduling and quality. These technology upgrades have improved efficiency, accuracy and scalability across the shop floor.
At the same time, MSP has paired its technology investments with a homegrown workforce development pipeline and is recruiting and training a new generation of skilled machinists. The combination of digital tools and people-centered strategy has helped MSP position itself for long-term growth.
- SMC Corporation of America, Noblesville: SMC Corporation of America, headquartered in Noblesville, is one of the world’s largest manufacturers of automation and pneumatic technologies. At its Indiana operations, SMC deployed autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) equipped with integrated robotics, artificial intelligence and 3D vision to modernize material flow in a complex, high-mix manufacturing environment.
Unlike traditional automated guided vehicles, these AMRs navigate dynamically, adapt to layout changes and communicate directly with manufacturing and warehouse systems. The result is more continuous material flow, reduced machine idle time and improved productivity across machining, cleaning and assembly operations.
The project highlights how advanced automation can support flexibility and scale in large, sophisticated manufacturing facilities, while also improving safety and enabling workers to focus on higher-value tasks.
Together, these organizations reflect the strength and diversity of Indiana’s manufacturing ecosystem and the practical, results-driven approach that continues to move the industry forward.
The award winner will be announced at the 27th annual TechPoint Mira Awards program—presented by SPONSOR—on DAY, DATE at The Palladium in Carmel by Conexus Indiana President and CEO Jay Wirts.