The Greenville Area Development Corporation (GADC), named Medals of America and Paper Cutters Inc. the recipients of the 2026 Greenville County Manufacturer of the Year Award at its Industry Appreciation Night, held Oct. 22 at The Cocktail Company. The award recognizes Greenville County manufacturers that embody innovation, dedication to community, and a commitment to operational excellence. This year's honorees are both small manufacturers whose work reaches customers across the country while staying firmly rooted in Greenville County.
Launched in 2024, the Greenville County Manufacturer of the Year Award celebrates the small and medium-sized manufacturers at the heart of the county's economy. Industry Appreciation Night brings together manufacturers, employers, and economic development partners to recognize the companies that create jobs, drive innovation and strengthen the local workforce. During the evening, the GADC also highlighted Industry Engage, its program that connects existing Greenville County companies with resources to support their growth.
"Manufacturing is woven into Greenville County's story, and Medals of America and Paper Cutters show why," said Max Stewart, president and CEO, Greenville Area Development Corporation. "Both companies are rooted here, they take real pride in what they make, and they invest in the people who make it. That's exactly the kind of legacy this award exists to celebrate."
Medals of America, a veteran-founded manufacturer of military medals, ribbons, custom ribbon racks, Mil-Thin ribbons, insignia, shadow boxes, and military displays, received one of the 2026 awards. The company serves active-duty service members, veterans, military families, organizations, and wholesale customers, helping veterans accurately display and preserve their service records for future generations.
"Being recognized as Greenville County Manufacturer of the Year is an incredible honor for Medals of America and, more importantly, a reflection of the dedication, skill, and craftsmanship of the people who make our company what it is," said Kenny Burgess, director of customer care and business development, Medals of America. "Every medal, ribbon rack, Mil-Thin, shadow box, and military display that leaves our facility represents someone's service, sacrifice, achievement, and legacy. This recognition belongs to our entire team."
Paper Cutters Inc. (PCI), a paperboard converter that produces business-to-business industrial packaging products, also received the 2026 award. Founded by Randy Mathena in 1980, PCI operates a 125,000-square-foot facility next door to Furman University, where a team of 30 to 40 employees serves manufacturers and distributors throughout the Southeast and beyond. The company has built its reputation on quality, responsive service, and a supply chain that keeps customers' production lines running.
"We're honored to receive this recognition, and it belongs to our people," said Randy Mathena, founder and CEO, Paper Cutters Inc. "Manufacturing excellence isn't about one big moment. It's about the thousands of small things our team does right every day, so that our customers' production lines never stop. We take pride in being the company the Upstate can count on, because we believe the greatest ability is dependability."
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