Charlotte Chamber recognizes Manufacturing Champion

The Charlotte Chamber has honored Ron and Katherine Harper, founders of global anilox supplier Harper Corporation of America, as the Charlotte Chamber’s 2007 Manufacturing Champions at an awards gala at the Westin Charlotte on September 11.

Nominated by the Charlotte Chamber’s Manufacturers Council for their ingenuity in manufacturing and their commitment to professional education, the Harpers join the ranks of distinguished manufacturing champions recognized by the Chamber in the past, including Ruth Shaw of Duke Energy and Dan Dimico of Nucor Corporation. The Harpers’ award, a one-of-a-kind vase, is a piece of art created by North Carolina glassblowing artist Kenny Pieper.

The couple recognized the need for more high school vocational programs, and with the donation of their time, attention and funding, they paved the way to establish a flexographic printing program at 21 high schools and 32 colleges in the US, Canada and Argentina.