RSM McGladrey Calls for Entries for the 2008 Nebraska Innovation in Manufacturing Award

RSM McGladrey, in partnership with the Nebraska Chamber of Commerce and the Nebraska Manufacturing Council, announces a call for nominations for the first annual Nebraska Innovation in Manufacturing Award. The organizations are sponsoring the award which will recognize an individual or manufacturer that demonstrate a commitment to innovation and new ways of conducting business – in products, processes, technologies and strategies. Nominations are currently being accepted through April 28 for the Nebraska Innovation in Manufacturing Award. Candidates for the award include small and midsized manufacturers (SMM) that have annual revenues up to $750 million. Nominees can submit entries for innovative activities including, but not limited to: work force/employee retention, operations/processes, customer relations, creative approaches to competing globally as well as product/marketing strategy, financing and green initiatives. "As technologies continue to advance, customers expect more and more. No longer can a manufacturer produce a standard line of products with an occasional innovation and expect to hold its customer base,” said Barry Kennedy, president of the Nebraska State Chamber. "Manufacturers today must innovate continuously to remain competitive in the global market.” "Innovation poses not only a particular challenge but a creative opportunity,” said Tony Urban, managing director in RSM McGladrey’s Omaha office. "It isn’t just a matter of budget allocation. Human capital resources, already stretched to meet daily business and production requirements, must be stretched even further to pursue new ideas. Our goal is to recognize the individuals and companies who are helping to change the face of manufacturing in Nebraska.” The award recipient will be recognized at the Nebraska State Chamber Manufacturers Council Annual Meeting on May 14, 2008 in Ashland, Neb. For additional questions or information, or to receive a copy of the nomination form, please contact Cristina Hurley at 319.896.5415 or cristina.hurley@rsmi.com, or Charlie Volnek at 402.474.4422 or cvolnek@nechamber.com. About RSM McGladrey RSM McGladrey is a leading provider of accounting, tax and business consulting services to the manufacturing and wholesale distribution industry. Each year, the firm publishes its Manufacturing and Wholesale Distribution National Survey, which provides insights into what CEOs, CFOs, and other senior industry executives are thinking, doing and planning to grow their businesses in an increasingly competitive marketplace. In addition, the firm sponsored a study released in 2007 by the National Association of Manufacturing and The Manufacturing Institute entitled: Forging New Partnerships: How to Thrive in Today’s Global Value Chain. For more information about the studies, visit the firm’s Web site at www.rsmmcgladrey.com. The RSM McGladrey group of companies offers accounting, tax services, business consulting, retirement resources, employer services, corporate finance, wealth management and financial process outsourcing. RSM McGladrey Inc. serves clients’ global business needs through its membership in RSM International (an affiliation of separate and independent legal entities). RSM McGladrey Business Services is a wholly owned indirect subsidiary of H&R Block (NYSE: HRB). About Nebraska Chamber of Commerce The State Chamber is Nebraska's largest business association – representing individuals, large and small companies, other Nebraska associations and local chambers of commerce. With an underlying grassroots membership of more than 100,000 people, the State Chamber has proudly served as the voice of Nebraska’s business community for 96 years.