The Lawton Standard Co. is proud to announce that Nick Knotts, Industrial Engineer at Lawton Novi (Temperform), has been named a recipient of the inaugural Rising Star in Manufacturing Award presented by IACMI – The Composites Institute.
Knotts is one of five winners selected nationwide for the inaugural award, which recognizes emerging manufacturing professionals who demonstrate significant contributions to their field, measurable impact through problem-solving or innovation, intrinsic motivation, and leadership potential.
Knotts joined Lawton Novi, formerly Temperform, as an Industrial Engineer Co-Op while attending Oakland University and transitioned into a full-time role with The Lawton Standard Co. after graduation. His work has expanded from industrial engineering and lean manufacturing to include foundry engineering, metallurgical engineering, product onboarding, process improvement, and complex problem-solving at the Novi, Michigan, facility.
At Lawton Novi, Knotts has contributed to large-scale product launches, advanced melting and heat-treatment methods, production processes for cast steel and nickel-based superalloy grades, and efforts to improve quality and mechanical test outcomes. He has also supported broader Lawton Standard initiatives, including cost-engineering projects and a throughput-improvement project at Lawton St. Paul.
In addition to his work inside Lawton Standard, Knotts has earned industry recognition for his technical research. He received back-to-back Steel Founders’ Society of America Founders’ Choice Awards for research on mold wash systems, including work to reduce gas and inclusion issues in steel castings. He also presented research on refractory coating penetration and mill thickness at the AFS Metalcasting Congress. He served as a judge for the 2026 Cast in Steel competition, where he helped evaluate student casting projects and encourage the next generation of foundry professionals. Knotts also serves on the SFSA’s Technical and Operating Committee and is the chair of SFSA’s Future Leaders committee.
NICK KNOTTS AWARD-WINNING RESEARCH ON MOLD WASH:
KNOTTS JUDGING THIS YEAR’S CAST IN STEEL COMPETITION:
“Nick represents the kind of technical talent and leadership manufacturing needs,” said Alex Lawton, CEO of The Lawton Standard Co. “He is curious, analytical, and willing to take on difficult problems that matter to our customers and our operations. His work has already made a meaningful impact at Lawton Novi and across our broader platform, and we are proud to see him recognized nationally.”
The Rising Star in Manufacturing Awards were created to highlight emerging talent across the manufacturing industry and support the future of American manufacturing. As part of the recognition, IACMI will feature winners through spotlight stories and related campaign communications.
“I’m honored to receive this recognition,” said Knotts. “Manufacturing allows you to solve real problems, work with great people, and keep learning every day. I’m grateful for the mentors, teammates, and industry partners who have helped me grow, and I’m excited to keep contributing to the future of foundry and manufacturing work.”
About the Lawton Standard Co.
The Lawton Standard Co. is an integrated supplier of castings, machined components, and engineered manufacturing solutions serving diverse industries throughout North America. Guided by a commitment to reliability, continuous improvement, integrity, innovation, and sustainability, Lawton Standard operates a family of foundries, machining facilities, wear products businesses, distribution centers, and manufacturing operations across the United States. To learn more, visit lawtonstandard.com.
About IACMI-The Composites Institute
IACMI – The Composites Institute was founded in 2015 to advance composites manufacturing and accelerate innovation across the industry. Through a combination of technical innovation and workforce development, IACMI works to strengthen domestic manufacturing, support supply chain resilience, and drive economic growth.