Austin, Texas – September 18, 2026 -- LeanDNA has named 26 finalists for its second annual APEX Awards, expanding the program from four to six categories as it recognizes measurable supply chain transformation across its manufacturer customer base.
Program adds two categories and opens nominations to customers for the first time
LeanDNA introduced the APEX Architect Award, honoring individual power users of its newest platform capabilities, and the APEX Synergy Award, recognizing teams that unified departments around APEX as a single source of truth. For the first time, nominations were opened beyond LeanDNA staff to the broader customer community, allowing customers to nominate themselves, peers, and teams.
Finalists span aerospace, automotive, HVAC and industrial manufacturing sectors
The Peak Performance Award – Account category includes Daikin, Johnson Controls, Spirit AeroSystems and Current Lighting, judged on measurable performance data over the past year. The Site-level Peak Performance Award lists five finalists: MSA Safety (USM1), Safran Cabin Marysville, Mercury Systems (Hudson), Modine (Lawrenceburg 2) and Cirtec Medical Corp (NC1).
The APEX Impact Award finalists are Husky, Astec, Ingersoll Rand Haskel Europe Ltd. (Sunderland) and MSA-The Safety Company. The Trailblazer Award, recognizing individual contributors, includes representatives from Ford, Daikin, Enjet, Stanadyne and Carrier.
New Synergy and Architect awards highlight cross-team adoption at Carrier, Johnson Controls, Siemens
APEX Synergy Award finalists are Carrier Montilla SA, Johnson Controls, Safran Electronics & Defense and Siemens. The inaugural APEX Architect Award finalists include individuals from Carrier, Ford, Husky and Daikin.
Winners to be announced at Austin summit October 28-30, 2026
LeanDNA will announce winners on stage at its third annual LeanDNA Manufacturing Excellence Summit, held in downtown Austin from Oct. 28-30, 2026. "It's important to recognize the people and teams doing the unglamorous work of changing culture, not just implementing software," said Jordan Slabaugh, Chief Marketing Officer at LeanDNA.