The VIA SPARK Awards is the recognition program of The Valley Industrial Association (VIA), a manufacturing trade association supporting manufacturing in the Fox Valley and Greater Chicago area of Illinois for more than 100 years. The annual VIA SPARK Awards event celebrates outstanding achievement within the manufacturing industry.
Finalists and winners are recognized in the following key categories:
- Culture
- Innovation
- Operational Excellence
- Safety
- Social Responsibility
- Workforce Development

The 2026 VIA SPARK Awards for both Culture, and Social Responsibility, have been awarded to Bales Metal Surface Solutions.
The VIA SPARK Awards recognition provides Bales with the opportunity to share their culture and values within their community, and the manufacturing industry as a whole.
As Stacy Bales, Bales Metal Surface Solutions President, explains, “We are honored to receive the Valley Industrial Association SPARK Awards for both Culture, and Social Responsibility. This recognition speaks to the heart of who we are as a company — a team dedicated to creating a strong culture, serving our community, and living our core values every day. These awards belong to our entire team, whose hard work, passion, and commitment make this kind of achievement possible. I could not be more proud of what we have built together!”
To learn more about Bales’ unwavering dedication to excellence, delivering unmatched results and building lasting partnerships, please visit: https://balesusa.com/about-us/.


