BUSINESS: DANA CHOSEN INDUSTRY OF YEAR

Dana Corporation's Spicer Axle Division, which opened the doors to a $23 million plant on Southern Expressway a little more than a decade ago, has been recognized as the third two-time winner of the Commitment to Excellence Award from the Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce.

Dana was given the chamber's honor for industry Wednesday, receiving the Industry of the Year award. Making the presentation was Mitch Robinson, executive director of the Cape Girardeau Area Industrial Recruitment Association.

"This is a great honor," said Dana plant manager Larry Dillon, who accepted the award as more than 700 people cheered at the chamber's Industrial Appreciation Dinner held at the Show Me Center.

"The Cape Girardeau area has served us well, and we're looking forward to additional growth here," said Dillon, who assumed management of the plant earlier this year when his predecessor, Dave Blanchard, received a promotion to another area.

Prior to the presentation of the large trophy, a film presentation, "Cape Girardeau Industry, Foundation for Progress," reviewed the manufacturing scene in Cape Girardeau, featuring manufacturers of all sizes.

There are more than 160 manufacturing firms in Cape Girardeau County employing more than 8,000 workers with a total payroll of more than $170 million. Dana, which opened with about 60 workers in 1990, employs 390 people.

Dillon said he had no idea that Dana was to be in the industrial spotlight until the program was well under way and the word "axle" was mentioned.

"This year's winner is a part of a national operation which impacts not only Cape Girardeau but the entire region, nation and many parts of the world," said Robinson, who also explained how Dana got its start in Cape Girardeau.

Two Dana representatives spent a lot of time in Cape Girardeau from June 1988 through January 1989 talking with area employers and Chamber of Commerce members, said Robinson. The company settled on a 15-acre tract in the industrial park along Southern Expressway.

In mid-January 1989, Dana Corporation officials announced the 140,000-square-foot manufacturing plant would be located in Cape Girardeau. Today, the firm, with a payroll of more than $17 million, is listed among the top industries in the Southeast Missouri area.

Nationally, Dana Corporation started out as Spicer Manufacturing when Clarence Spicer patented the first practical automotive universal joint and drive shaft.

Charles A. Dana -- a lawyer, politician and businessman -- assumed the reins of the company in 1914 to give it needed financial guidance.

In 1946, the company was renamed Dana Corporation.

This year's event marks the 13th year for the industrial dinner.