The 2025 Women MAKE Awards will honor Angela Phillips, CEO of Phillips Tube Group, for her leadership, innovation, and commitment to the manufacturing industry. This prestigious recognition highlights her impact on the steel tube sector and her dedication to supporting the next generation of women in manufacturing.
Women MAKE Awards: Recognizing Excellence in Manufacturing
The Women MAKE Awards, presented by the Manufacturing Institute, celebrate female leaders making significant contributions to the manufacturing industry. The awards highlight both established professionals and emerging leaders who are driving change, fostering innovation, and championing diversity in manufacturing. The Institute has also chosen to recognize a select few in the Emerging Leaders category, acknowledging young women who are shaping the industry’s future through exceptional achievements early in their careers. Angela Phillips stands among this year’s honorees, recognized for her leadership at Phillips Tube Group and her advocacy for women in manufacturing.
Angela Phillips’s Leadership at Phillips Tube Group
Angela Phillips grew up immersed in her family’s business, now known as Phillips Tube Group, Inc. After completing her undergraduate degree, she joined the organization in 1994 and worked alongside her father, gaining the expertise needed to drive the company forward. In 2009, following the unexpected passing of her father in a motorcycle accident, she stepped up as CEO and successfully navigated the company through the aftermath of the Great Recession. By the following year, she and her team reversed a more than 40% loss into a record-breaking year. Her leadership has since propelled Phillips Tube Group through major expansions, including acquisitions in 2016 and 2017, as well as the launch of a new technology center in Indiana in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Advancing Women in Manufacturing
Phillips has long been an advocate for increasing female representation in manufacturing. She actively supports initiatives that encourage young women to explore careers in STEM and skilled trades. She has prioritized the recruitment and placement of women in executive management positions for over a decade, with two-thirds of recent management hires being female. She also offers women’s development seminars for her team and frequently shares her insights as a speaker at industry conferences, including FABTECH and the Association of Women in the Metals Industry.
The Importance of Steel Tube Manufacturing
Steel tube manufacturing plays a critical role in infrastructure, transportation, and industrial applications. Phillips Tube Group’s contributions to the sector ensure the availability of high-quality, precision-engineered tubing for essential projects across North America. Under Phillips’s leadership, the company has maintained its reputation for reliability, innovation, and excellence in manufacturing, even in challenging economic conditions.
Honoring Manufacturing’s Next Generation
The Women MAKE Awards not only celebrates industry leaders like Angela Phillips but also inspires the next generation of manufacturers. By recognizing the achievements of women in manufacturing, the awards highlight the importance of diversity, innovation, and leadership in driving the industry forward. Phillips is a humble yet impactful leader whose vision and advocacy continue to influence thousands of professionals in Ohio and beyond.
2025 Women MAKE Awards Gala Details
The 2025 Women MAKE Awards Gala will be held on Thursday, April 24, 2025, from 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM Eastern at The Anthem, Washington, DC (901 Wharf St SW, Washington, DC 20024). This event will bring together manufacturing leaders and honorees to celebrate their outstanding contributions to the industry.
Join the Celebration
Angela Phillips’s recognition at the 2025 Women MAKE Awards underscores the vital role of women in manufacturing. As she puts it, “I am empowered by the women leaders who are cutting new paths in industries like my own that remain male-dominated. I am also empowered by those women who have taken bold moves in advocating for and advancing other women within their organizations.” Follow the celebration and join the conversation using the hashtags #MFGWomen and #WomenMAKEAwards. To learn more about Phillips Tube Group and its contributions to the steel tube industry, visit our website or contact us today!