J&M honored with manus award

An American firm had never won a manus award.

A Fort Recovery business changed that this week.

J&M Manufacturing won the 2023 Gold manus® award this week for the company’s Para-Linkage coulter design on its NitroGro applicators.

The manus awards — they are a joint program through plastics manufacturer igus, technical publication Industrieanzeiger, the University of Applied Science Cologne in Germany, U.S. publishing company WTWH Media and the Aachener Werkzeugbau Akademie — honor “the most creative, economical and sustainable uses of plastic plain bearings in industrial applications.” J&M’s design was chosen among 480 entries from 36 countries.

The Para-Linkage coulter is designed to keep the NitroGro’s applicator knives in the ground while going over rocks and hard soil. The goal is to provide a more consistent application of fertilizer. It is also intended to be more durable than traditional bushings.

“It does not take long to convince customers of the savings,” said Austin Franz, engineer of the Para-Linkage coulter, in a press release. “Poly and greaseless bearings are becoming more common in the agricultural field. Farmers understand how much savings are involved in reduced time and maintenance.”



Rated 5 Star

BauerFinancial recently rated CrossRoads Financial Federal Credit Union as a 5-star credit union.

The independent financial service rating company rates financial institutions based on data including capital ratio, profitability, delinquency ratio, charge-offs and repossessed assets, the market versus book value of the investment portfolio, regulatory supervisory agreements, historical data and liquidity.

CrossRoads, which has offices in Portland, Dunkirk and Winchester, reported record earnings in 2022.



Manufacturer honored

Ardagh customers Newell Brands, In Good Taste and Carbone Fine Food won Clear Choice Awards from the Glass Packaging Institute.

The institutes awards recognize brands working with North American glass container manufacturers to “create first-rate designs and shape powerful consumer experiences.”

“We enjoy collaborating with these award-winning brands to create glass packaging that meets their sustainability commitments, while raising the standard for high-quality, innovative glass containers that preserve the products we all know and trust,” said John T Shaddox, chief commercial officer for Ardagh Glass Packaging – North America, in a press release.

Ardagh, which operates glass manufacturing facilities in Dunkirk and Winchester, has produced glass bottles and jars that have won nearly 100 Clear Choice Awards.



Contest is open

EverHeart Hospice is accepting entires for its Camp Encourage t-shirt design contest.

Camp Encourage is a bereavement camp for children ages 6 through 15 who are dealing with the death of a loved one.

Designs should follow the camp’s theme — Coping, Colors and Connection. The contest is open to all ages, and entries should be emailed to [email protected].

“Camp Encourage is all about being expressive,” said EverHeart marketing manager Jennifer Overholser in a press release. “We felt the t-shirt design contest would be a way to tap into our community’s creative side and feel involved in the planning process.”

The deadline is May 15.

EverHeart provides service in 10 counties, including Jay and Randolph counties in Indiana and Mercer County in Ohio.



Bower retires

Larry Bowers, news directory for WBCL radio in Fort Wayne will retire Wednesday after a 58-year career in broadcasting.

Bowers has been on the WBCL Morning Show for 19 years, having previously handled afternoon news for the station. He started his career hosting a classical music program on WOI radio at Iowa State University.

He has worked in Fort Wayne since 1972, when he joined AM station WLYV. He moved to WKJC TV three years later as a copywriter and commercial producer.



BSU honored

Ball State University recently was recognized as the No. 8 overall institution for its student broadcast and media programs by the Broadcast Education Association.

BSU was among the top 10% out of 103 institutions ranked. It was second overall for “top winning sports program” and seventh for “top winning documentary programs.

The rankings are based on the past five years of student performance in the BEA Festival of Media Arts.

“We are so proud of the work our talented students do,” said Suzy Smith, chair and associate professor of Ball State’s department of media. “Seeing these rankings, I know there is even more we can achieve. We appreciate the Broadcast Education Association for this recognition and for helping propel our students forward.”



Arbor partnering

Arbor Homes and the City of Crawfordsville recently announced a partnership to develop a 173-home subdivision in an effort to address a housing shortage.

Arbor is planning the 60-acre development on U.S. 231 with an estimated project total of $13.9 million. A press release indicated that the city plans to utilize residential tax increment financing (TIF) to help recoup infrastructure costs.

“We’re very excited about the Crawfordsville market and recognize the need for attainable housing in the area,” said Arbor chief marketing office Ben Watkins in a press release. “At Arbor we believe wealth accumulation for families happens through homeownership and in working with the city of Crawfordsville, it’s clear the city has its residents best interest in mind.”