02/11/2014

FPDA Member Judy Wojanis, President of Wojanis Supply Company, Receives National Award

The Manufacturing Institute, the Society of Manufacturing Engineers, University of Phoenix, and Deloitte announced the recipients of the 2014 Women in Manufacturing STEP (Science, Technology, Engineering and Production) Awards. The STEP Awards honor women who have demonstrated excellence and leadership in their careers and represent all levels of the manufacturing industry, from the factory-floor to the C suite.

On February 6, The Manufacturing Institute recognized the Honorees from over 110 companies at the STEP Awards in Washington, D.C. The STEP Awards program will highlight each Honoree's story, including their leadership and accomplishments in manufacturing. By telling the real stories of these women, we will inspire the next generation of talent to pursue careers in the industry and support current female talent within the manufacturing industry. The STEP Awards are part of the larger STEP Ahead initiative launched to examine and promote the role of women in the manufacturing industry through recognition, research, and best practices for attracting, advancing, and retaining strong female talent.

Judy Wojanis has been at the helm of Wojanis Supply Company, a business started in 1980 that has grown exponentially and is now included in the Industrial Distribution Top 50 Small Distributors in the U.S., since 2004.   Under Judy’s leadership, the corporation has grown from ten employees to up to twenty-five, and doubled revenues from $3 million to $6 million.  Judy took over management of the business with a small core group of loyal employees after her husband passed away unexpectedly.  She immersed herself in the daily efforts of the business and factored each decision with growth and longevity in mind.

She has always been a strong advocate for her community and the western Pennsylvania region. Judy has held leadership positions on a variety of boards to share her knowledge, experiences, and act as a role model.  Wojanis has also been the main sponsor of the Fluid Power Challenge in the Pittsburgh area. This competition challenges eighth grade students to solve an engineering problem using fluid power.  The event has grown over the years and most recently was held at the Greater Pittsburgh Carpenter’s Union facility, with 20 teams of boys and girls competing.   Judy’s perseverance and commitment to supporting the business her husband started are demonstrated through a highly successful corporation that’s always striving to deliver better products to larger markets, as well as by her dedicated staff.

"Jim Wojanis, my deceased husband, is my role model. He was an innovator, a natural teacher and a risk-taker. His creativity and willingness to pursue his dreams in tangible ways had a profound effect on the person I am today,” explains Judy. “My professional and personal growth has come from setting goals and taking risks, and he taught me that the greater the risk, the greater the reward."