SME, an organization that connects manufacturing professionals, academia and communities from all disciplines, today announced its 2020 International Honor Award winners. These five manufacturing practitioners from industry and academia are being recognized for their high-level contributions to manufacturing production, research, education, scientific publications and service to SME.

For over six decades, SME’s International Honor Awards have honored professionals whose bodies-of-work have led to critical breakthroughs and advancements in manufacturing technologies, processes and education.

“We’re proud to recognize these distinguished honorees for their essential and ongoing efforts in this vital industry,” said Sandra L. Bouckley, FSME, P.Eng., executive director and CEO of SME. “Our five awardees have changed the landscape of manufacturing and SME, making both stronger, more advanced and inclusive than ever before.”

2020 International Honor Award winners:

• Eli Whitney Productivity Award — Bert Lauwers, Prof. Dr. Ir., FSME, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
• Joseph A. Siegel Service Award — Cecil W. Schneider, FSME, PE, Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co. (retired), Big Canoe, Georgia
• SME Frederick W. Taylor Research Medal — Fuewen “Frank” Liou, PhD, Missouri University of Science and Technology, Rolla, Missouri
• SME Education Award — Albert Shih, PhD, FSME, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
• SME Gold Medal — Jian Cao, PhD, FSME, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois

The five 2020 winners will receive their awards during SME’s annual Installation & Awards Gala in November in Dearborn, Michigan.

SME is currently accepting nominations for the 2021 International Honor Awards The submission deadline is Aug. 1. Award and nomination information is available at sme.org/awards.