Precision manufacturing doesn’t happen by accident. It’s the result of careful decisions, planning, clear processes, investments in technology, and a team that holds itself to a higher standard on every job. That commitment was recognized in March when Simplex System Controls was awarded the 2026 Valley Industrial Association (VIA) Spark Award for Operational Excellence. A first for the company in this category, the award reflects sustained investment in improving how work gets done from systems and processes to execution on the floor.
The VIA Spark Award celebrates manufacturers who demonstrate measurable progress in key areas of business performance. Simplex has been recognized with the award in past years for Workforce Development, Culture, and Safety, and this award marks their 7th Spark award. The new recognition underscores Simplex’s focus on delivering consistent, reliable results for every customer.
With more than 55 years of hands-on manufacturing experience, Simplex has never been a company that stands still. Progress has come through continuous refinement, a team that takes quality personally, and leadership willing to invest in better ways of working. Being named a finalist last year reinforced that the company was moving in the right direction.
Investing in the Latest Tools and Technology
At the heart of the operational improvements, Simplex has implemented ERP planning systems such as Shop Boss and Job Boss to modernize scheduling and job tracking across the shop floor. These tools are integrated with the company’s ERP system, creating a more connected operational system that improves visibility across production, inventory, and administration.
This integration allows teams to move beyond manual tracking and operate with real-time data. Production schedules, capacity planning, and job status are now more transparent and aligned, enabling faster decision-making and more accurate delivery timelines for control panel products.
“This recognition reflects the work we’ve done to bring greater visibility, consistency, and control into our operations so we can deliver with confidence every time. ” Ron McCarthy, Operations Manager, Simplex System Controls.
The Simplex Way
Complementing the technology investment is an initiative called the “Simplex Way”, a comprehensive effort to document standard operating procedures across manufacturing operations. Integrated with UniPoint, a system for quality and non-conformance tracking, the goal is to ensure that the precision Simplex is known for isn’t dependent on any one person’s knowledge. By creating a manufacturing operating procedure that captures how work gets done, Simplex is building a business that is repeatable, scalable, and built to last. This approach builds on Simplex’s innovation and helps the company execute and deliver solutions to customers through operational excellence across industries.
Continuing to Invest and Improve
The 2026 VIA Spark Award is a milestone, not a finish line. Simplex has an active roadmap that includes further automated data collection via barcode scanning and real-time job tracking, live job boards at workstations, and a visual shop-floor redesign. For customers, these advancements mean shorter and even more reliable lead times, improved quality control, and greater confidence in every project delivered. For Simplex, excellence has always been the standard, and it’s truly an honor to be recognized.
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