Building WNY: Celebrating the Business First Manufacturing Awards Winners 5.20.26
May 20, 2026 – Dopkins is honored to co-sponsor the Buffalo Business First Manufacturing Awards.
Introducing the Manufacturing Awards winners for 2026
Each year Buffalo Business First highlights local businesses in this robust industry that are performing at the top of their game. Their work supports countless businesses, powers critical supply chains and showcases the talent and ingenuity found right here at home. Platinum sponsors include Community Bank, Dopkins & Company, LLP, the Erie County Industrial Development Agency and the Northland Workforce Training Center.
Join us as we honor all of this year’s 26 winners at a May 20 dinner at Salvatore’s Italian Gardens.
WHERE:
Salvatore’s Grand Ball Room
6461 Transit Road
Depew, NY 14043
WHEN:
Wednesday, May 20, 2026
4:00pm –6:30pm
AGENDA:
4:00 pm-5:00 pm – Registration, Networking, Cocktail Hour
5:00 pm-5:15 pm – Welcome Remarks
5:15 pm – 5:45 pm – Dinner Service (dietary requests honored by advance request by May 8th)
5:45 pm – 6:30 pm – Awards Presentation
6:30pm – End of event
For more information or to register, visit the Business First of Buffalo event page.
Ticket prices and/or sponsorships apply.
Congratulations to the 2026 Manufacturing Award Winners!
Manufacturer of the Year
- Terry Galanis, chairman and CEO, Sealing Devices.
Growth and Achievement
- Eaton, an intelligent power management manufacturer headquartered in Ireland with a plant in Orchard Park. Led locally by Linsey Warren, plant manager.
- Emulso, a chemical manufacturer based in Tonawanda. Led here by CEO Christopher Miller.
- EDS Evolution Dental Science, manufacturer and provider of dental products based in Williamsville. Led by CEO Andy Jakson.
- Wells Enterprises, a food and beverage manufacturer based in Le Mars, Iowa, with an ice cream factory in Dunkirk. Led here by David Fiore, plant manager.
Community Impact
- Paul Wilkinson, executive vice president and chief human resources officer, Moog, and chair, Western New York Advanced Manufacturing & Tech Workforce Coalition.
- Top Seedz, an-all natural snack food manufacturer based in Buffalo. Led by CEO Rebecca Brady.
General Excellence
- Flexlume, a designer, manufacturer and installer of custom signs that’s based in Lackawanna. Led by Curtis Martin, partner.
- Rosina Food Products, a manufacturer of frozen meatball and pasta products based in West Seneca. Led by CEO Russell Corigliano.
- Taylor Devices, a manufacturer of shock absorption systems and vibration damper equipment that’s based in North Tonawanda. Led by CEO Tim Sopko.
Industry Ally
- Cintas, a facilities services company based in Mason, Ohio, that provides a wide range of goods and services used by manufacturers. The Alden location is led by Marcelo Rubio, senior manager.
- Roar Logistics, a freight brokerage based in Buffalo. Led by President and CEO Bob Rich III.
- Jonathan Roller, partner, Lumsden & McCormick.
Next-Generation Leadership
- Marathon Roofing Products, a manufacturer of roof drainage systems based in Orchard Park. Led by President Tod Cislo.
- Samco Technologies, a provider of custom wastewater, process separation and filtration solutions based in Buffalo. Led by President Eric Posa.
Rising Stars
- Natrion, a battery technology company based in Cheektowaga. Led by CEO Alex Kosyakov.
- SkateSkins, a designer and manufacturer of sporting goods accessories based in Buffalo. Led by owner Matthew Keeler.
Sustainable Manufacturing
- Junk Free Skin, a manufacturer of bath, body and consumer products based in Buffalo. Led by owner Tom Akers.
- Pfannenberg USA, a global manufacturer of thermal management, liquid cooling and signaling technologies with operations in Lancaster. Led locally by President Robert Kapilevich.
Vision & Strategy
- Blackstone Advanced Technologies, a sheet metal fabricator based in Jamestown. Led by CEO Ricky Turner.
- Confer Plastics, a manufacturer of plastic molding for pools, hot tubs, spas and more based in North Tonawanda. Led by President Bob Confer.
- Joseph LaDuca, plant manager, Liston Manufacturing.
- Tony Roman, vice president of sales, T&T Materials
- Viridi, a manufacturer of battery energy storage systems based in Buffalo. Led by CEO Jon Williams.
- Scott Weinstein, president and CEO, Safetec of America.
Workforce Development
- Hubco, a manufacturer of abrasives and tooling accessories that’s based in Alden. Led by President Ryan Buckley.
