Bristol Compressors International, Inc. was recently presented with the Manufacturer of the Year Award by the board of the Southwest Virginia Alliance for Manufacturing (SVAM). The award is presented to companies that demonstrate achievements in business growth, employee training, or product innovations.

The award was presented to Bristol Compressors for the development of VStar, a variable speed HVAC compressor. VStar is a reciprocating unit for residential and commercial air conditioners and heat pumps that achieves more than 25% higher energy efficiency levels over other standard SEER systems, according to the company.

“Our end-user customers require higher energy efficiency equipment, and the VStar compressor offers variable-speed technology that has increased operating efficiencies and reduced utility bills,” says Kevin Mumpower, vice president of new product development for Bristol Compressors. “This technology is innovative not only in terms of efficiency, but also in sound reduction, and it has helped propel this product to the top of the list for quality and value for customers.”

Larry Souverielle, SVAM board president, said that manufacturing companies play a vital role to the Virginia region, which is why the organization has chosen to honor Bristol Compressors for its work.

“Bristol Compressors was selected to receive this award for its exceptional accomplishments in the area of new product innovations and new product introductions,” he said. “Additionally, Bristol Compressors, in partnership with GENEDGE Alliance, has brought lean manufacturing processes and training to its new product engineering group. The company’s leadership is transforming the Bristol manufacturing plant through lean continuous improvement, training its production teams and associates in process improvement methodologies.”