The award was presented on Sept. 26, 2012 at the annual Oklahoma Conference on Manufacturing recently in Tulsa, Okla.

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Recipients of the award must be progressive, forward-thinking and willing to adapt to change to become more successful in their marketplace. Each year, Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin bestows awards on a select few manufacturers in Oklahoma in recognition of their pacesetting standards.

The recipients of this award “represent the enormous potential available in

Oklahoma and take a leadership role in promoting the importance of doing business in and from our state,” says Chuck Prucha, president of the Oklahoma Manufacturing Alliance. “Gabriel Ride Control is a remarkable organization and has had an amazing impact on its community through its innovative growth.”

Gabriel has a 370,000 square-foot manufacturing facility in Chickasha, Oklahoma. In 2009, Ride Control, LLC made a commitment to Chickasha and to its valued and experienced employee base to remain and grow its manufacturing and distribution efforts there. Since then, Ride Control total employment has grown to more than 350 employees today, a 75 percent increase in only three short years.

An awards committee made up of manufacturing professionals selected the winners and only four companies receive the award annually.

“Gabriel is honored that the Governor of Oklahoma has recognized our commitment to Oklahoma, to our family of hard-working employees here, and to the community of Chickasha with this award,” says Lisa Bahash, president and CEO Gabriel. “We value our relationships here, appreciate their efforts, and share this award with them all.”

About the Oklahoma Manufacturing Alliance

Through its statewide network of manufacturing extension agents and applications engineers, the Alliance provides a full range of services to companies. The Oklahoma Manufacturing Alliance is the go-to source for assessing needs and finding solutions available through public and private resources. The Alliance offers free technical assistance and business advice, helping manufacturers become progressively more successful. Services focus on improving the bottom line, while growing the entire company. We live and work in communities across Oklahoma, taking our support to your workplace on your schedule. For more information on the Alliance, please visit www.okalliance.com.

About Gabriel (Ride Control, LLC)

Ride Control, LLC operates in both the aftermarket and original equipment manufacturer (commercial, industrial and recreational vehicle) segments under the Gabriel® (U.S. and Canada) and GRC® (Mexico) brand names. The company originated the world’s first automotive shock absorber, “The Snubber,” in 1907, and continues today to be a leader in the design, engineering, development and production of shock absorbers in North America. Ride Control, LLC generates more than $210 million in sales and has more than 1,400 employees in the U.S., Canada and Mexico. The company maintains engineering, design, manufacturing, warehouse, sales and management offices throughout North America including Troy, Michigan; Chickasha, Oklahoma; Brentwood, Tennessee; and Queretaro, Mexico. For additional information, please visit www.gabriel.com.