The 2011 Assembly Plant of the Year boasts a state-of-the-art warehouse that plays a key role upstream and downstream in the production process.

What do metal water tanks, pickup trucks and RV chassis have in common? They’re all assembled in state-of-the-art facilities that were finalists for the 2011 Assembly Plant of the Year award.

Philips' New Kensington, PA, assembly plant was designed from the ground up with three things in mind: people, lean manufacturing and the environment.

If you know of any world-class facilities worthy of recognition, nominate them for the 2011 Assembly Plant of the Year Award. Click here for more details, including a nomination form.

The water tower at the 2010 Assembly Plant of the Year is blue. But, the assembly lines inside the factory walls are green. The 380,000-square-foot Eaton Corp. plant in Lincoln, IL, has an ambitious strategy to reduce its carbon footprint.

Eaton Corp.'s Lincoln, IL, plant is the recipient of the 2010 Assembly Plant of the Year award. But, the other four finalists are also quite impressive, because they have improved productivity by harnessing technology and lean manufacturing principles.

Eaton Corp.'s residential products plant in Lincoln, IL, has remained innovative and cost-efficient, despite the challenging housing market.

By implementing lean manufacturing initiatives, Batesville Casket Co.'s assembly plant in Manchester, TN, has streamlined its operations. Assemblers use continuous improvement activities and lean tools to identify and eliminate waste in the production process.

Many manufacturers talk about being green. But, when it comes to action, few companies can match International Business Machines Corp. (IBM). Big Blue's High-End Server Plant in Poughkeepsie, NY, which has focused its efforts on a variety of lean and green initiatives, is the recipient of the 2008 Assembly Plant of the Year award.