For the 3rd consecutive year, Stern Industries has won the Supplier of the Year Award from American Valve and Hydrant   (AVH).  American Valve and Hydrant, located in Beaumont, Texas, is a leading manufacture of quality water works products. AVH is a subsidiary of American Cast Iron Pipe Company in Birmingham, Alabama.

Stern Industries manufactures wedges, or water valves, at its rubber manufacturing facilities located in Staples and Aitkin, Minnesota.  The wedges range in size from 2.5 inches to 16 inches.  Stern Manufacturing vulcanizes (bonding rubber to the cast iron wedges) using an innovative proprietary process.   The wedges are used for water flow control in municipal water systems across the country.  Stern Manufacturing produces gaskets for AVH as well.  "The proprietary process that we pioneered, including our Iron Phosphate Line, has set a new standard in quality and cost-efficiency", said Shawn Hunstad, President and CEO of Stern Industries.  "We are proud of our long partnership with AVH and honored by their recognition."