Sun Hydraulics Earns 2026 Florida Manufacturer Employer of Choice Recognition for Third Consecutive Year
Helios Technologies, a global provider of highly engineered motion control and electronic controls technologies, has announced that its operating company, Sun Hydraulics, has been named a 2026 Florida Manufacturer Employer of Choice by FloridaMakes. The recognition marks the third consecutive year that Sun Hydraulics has received the distinction, highlighting its continued focus on employee engagement, workplace culture, and workforce development.
The award was presented during the 2026 Manufacturing Workforce Awards Dinner on October 14, 2026, in Orlando, Florida. The annual recognition program highlights manufacturers that demonstrate a commitment to creating supportive workplaces and strengthening their workforce strategies.
For Sun Hydraulics, receiving the award for a third time reflects ongoing efforts to build a people-centered organization where employees can develop their skills, pursue career opportunities, and contribute to the company’s long-term success.
Continued Commitment to Employee Engagement and Workplace Culture
Sun Hydraulics has emphasized that its workplace culture is built around employee ownership, continuous learning, teamwork, and a shared commitment to serving customers and the local community.
Rick Martich, President of Hydraulics, Motion Control Technology, said the company’s third Employer of Choice recognition demonstrates the lasting nature of its workplace culture.
He credited employees for helping the company maintain high standards through their willingness to take responsibility, develop new capabilities, and collaborate to achieve shared objectives.
Martich also noted that the recognition represents an ongoing commitment rather than a final achievement, with the company continuing to identify opportunities to strengthen the employee experience and improve its workplace practices.
The latest award reinforces Sun Hydraulics’ broader approach to workforce management, which focuses on creating an environment where employees feel valued and have opportunities to contribute to the organization’s performance.
For manufacturers operating in a competitive labor market, employee engagement and retention can be important factors in maintaining productivity, preserving technical expertise, and supporting operational consistency. Sun’s continued participation in the Employer of Choice program provides an opportunity to assess its progress and identify areas for further development.
Turning Employee Feedback Into Workplace Improvements
Following its previous Employer of Choice assessment, Sun Hydraulics used feedback and findings related to employee engagement, leadership, benefits, and workplace culture to guide several initiatives.
The company has introduced and expanded programs intended to support career development, recognize employee contributions, and strengthen connections among colleagues and their families.
One of the key initiatives has been the development of local apprenticeship programs. These programs are designed to help employees build technical skills, gain practical experience, and pursue new career opportunities within the organization.
Apprenticeships can play an important role in manufacturing by helping employees develop specialized capabilities while supporting the transfer of knowledge between experienced workers and newer team members. For Sun Hydraulics, the programs form part of its broader effort to strengthen internal talent development and create pathways for career advancement.
The company has also introduced the Shared Values Recognition program, which recognizes employees throughout the year for their contributions and commitment to the organization’s values.
By highlighting individual and team achievements, the initiative aims to encourage collaboration and reinforce the behaviors that support the company’s workplace culture.
In addition to professional development and recognition, Sun has expanded opportunities for employees and their families to participate in company-sponsored activities.
These events include a night at the ballpark with the Bradenton Marauders, the Pittsburgh Pirates’ Minor League Baseball affiliate, as well as upcoming Halloween Trunk-or-Treat celebrations.
Such activities are intended to strengthen relationships among employees outside the workplace and create additional opportunities for colleagues and families to connect with the company community.
Sun’s decision to participate in the Employer of Choice assessment again this year also reflects its commitment to evaluating its programs against the practices of leading manufacturers across Florida. The assessment provides a framework for reviewing existing initiatives and identifying further opportunities to improve the employee experience.
More Than Five Decades of Manufacturing in Sarasota
Sun Hydraulics has been part of the Sarasota, Florida, manufacturing community for 56 years. During that time, the company has developed a longstanding presence in the region and established relationships with organizations working to strengthen local manufacturing and workforce development.
The company collaborates with FloridaMakes and the Sarasota-Manatee Area Manufacturers Association (SAMA) to support initiatives focused on workforce training, talent development, and the competitiveness of Florida’s manufacturing industry.
These partnerships connect manufacturers with resources and programs intended to address workforce needs, encourage skills development, and strengthen the regional manufacturing ecosystem.
For companies such as Sun Hydraulics, access to a skilled workforce is essential to sustaining operations and responding to evolving customer requirements. Collaboration with regional manufacturing organizations can help businesses identify training opportunities, develop future talent, and support the continued growth of advanced manufacturing capabilities.
Sun’s involvement in these initiatives reflects its commitment to contributing not only to its own workforce but also to the broader industrial community in which it operates.
Supporting Workforce Development Across Helios Technologies
As an operating company of Helios Technologies, Sun Hydraulics contributes to a global business focused on highly engineered motion control and electronic controls technologies.
Helios serves markets that rely on specialized engineering, reliable products, and technical expertise. Developing and retaining skilled employees is therefore an important consideration across its operations.
Sun’s apprenticeship opportunities, employee recognition initiatives, and workplace engagement programs support its efforts to maintain a capable workforce while creating opportunities for employees to grow within the organization.
The company’s approach also reflects the relationship between employee development and long-term business performance. By investing in technical skills, recognizing contributions, and encouraging collaboration, manufacturers can work toward maintaining operational knowledge and building teams equipped to meet changing industry demands.
The third consecutive Employer of Choice recognition provides further acknowledgment of Sun Hydraulics’ efforts in these areas, while the company’s continued assessments are intended to identify additional improvements.
Looking Ahead: Investing in People and Florida Manufacturing
Sun Hydraulics plans to continue investing in its employees, advancing innovation, and supporting the development of Florida’s manufacturing sector.
The company intends to build on its existing workforce programs while using feedback and assessment results to identify opportunities to improve employee engagement, career development, and workplace culture.
Its collaboration with FloridaMakes and SAMA will also remain part of its broader commitment to workforce training and regional talent development.
As manufacturers continue to compete for skilled workers and adapt to changing technical requirements, initiatives focused on employee growth and workplace engagement remain important components of long-term workforce planning.
Sun Hydraulics’ recognition as a 2026 Florida Manufacturer Employer of Choice for the third consecutive year highlights its ongoing focus on these priorities and its continued involvement in the Sarasota-Manatee manufacturing community.
For more information about the Florida Manufacturer Employer of Choice program
