In its second year, the 2020 North Star Awards drew an impressive 15 nominations across two categories. Firms were nominated for outstanding business and environmental achievement in the Seattle-Tacoma gateway that benefit the region. On March 30, 2021, NWSA Managing Members and 2020 Co-Chairs John McCarthy and Peter Steinbrueck announced this year’s winners during the State of the Alliance event. MacMillan-Piper was awarded the Cargo Anchor Award and SSA Marine received the Environmental Stewardship award. Their achievements are highlighted below.
2020 Cargo Anchor Award Winner
The Cargo Anchor Award is presented to an organization whose activities have grown cargo volumes in the NWSA gateway, spurring economic growth for the region. MacMillan-Piper was chosen for the award based on an expansion in the Tacoma harbor, coupled with the launch of a new logistics division that provides freight brokerage services throughout the United States. These efforts increased employment by more than 18% year over year, with MacMillan-Piper committing to continue to grow jobs, capacity, and revenue by more than 50% over the next five years. MacMillan-Piper is the largest transload and container freight station in the Pacific Northwest and a leader in national and international transportation services.
Learn more about the Cargo Anchor Award.
2020 Environmental Stewardship Award Winner
The Environmental Stewardship Award recognizes businesses that support the continued health of the environment while promoting trade and economic development. SSA Marine was selected for a host of environmental programs that are reducing pollution here in the Puget Sound region.
By exchanging traditional light bulbs to LED, SSA Marine reduced their energy consumption by 1.2 kilowatt-hours. Their commuter benefits program incentivized 'greener' commuting options and 'last-mile' connections between transit services and SSA Marine headquarters, reducing CO2 emissions by 157 tons annually. SSA Marine also transitioned to compostable products at their Harbor Island corporate headquarters, removing 26 tons of waste from landfills each year. SSA Marine is an international Marine Terminal Operator (MTO) operating in the NWSA’s Seattle and Tacoma harbors.
Learn more about the Environmental Stewardship Award.
Nominations for the 2021 North Star Awards will open in Fall 2021.