Dayco CEO recognized in regional Entrepreneur of the Year program
Craig Frohock, CEO of Dayco Inc., has been named a finalist for the Entrepreneur Of The Year 2026 Michigan and Northwest Ohio Award by Ernst & Young LLP (EY US).
Now in its 41st year, the Entrepreneur Of The Year program celebrates the bold leaders who disrupt markets through the world’s most ground-breaking companies, revolutionizing industries and uplifting communities. The program honors entrepreneurs whose innovations drive economic growth and help shape the future of business.
An independent panel of judges selected Craig Frohock among 34 finalists representing 31 companies based on their entrepreneurial spirit, purpose, company growth and lasting impact in building long-term value.
“Being named a finalist for the Entrepreneur of The Year® 2026 Michigan and Northwest Ohio award is a great honor," said Frohock. "For me, this recognition reflects not only a personal journey, but above all the passion, commitment and purpose that drive our company every day. Our mission has always been to deliver innovative products and services to the market that move the world forward - creating long?term value through innovation, integrity and strong partnerships, and this distinction reinforces our belief that doing business the right way truly matters. I am deeply grateful to our customers, partners, and all our stakeholders for their continued trust, as well as to the Dayco team, whose dedication and entrepreneurial spirit make achievements like this possible."
Founded in 1905, Dayco, Inc. is a global leader in the research, design, manufacture, and distribution of essential engine drive systems and aftermarket solutions for automotive, truck, construction, agriculture, and industrial applications. With more than 120 years of engineering heritage, Dayco has built a strong reputation for delivering reliable, efficient, and high?performance drive systems that help customers worldwide meet the most demanding application requirements.
Under Frohock’s leadership, the company has achieved key milestones by reorganizing its operations to focus on the core aftermarket and belt business to accelerate growth in both the aftermarket and OE markets.
Entrepreneur Of The Year honors business leaders for their ingenuity, courage and entrepreneurial spirit. The program celebrates original founders who bootstrapped their business from inception or who raised outside capital to grow their company, transformational CEOs who infused innovation into an existing organization to catapult its trajectory, and multigenerational family business leaders who reimagined a legacy business model to strengthen it for the future.
This year’s Michigan and Northwest Ohio finalists represent all industries, including technology, consumer products, manufacturing, finance and more.
Regional award winners will be announced on June 17 during a special celebration in Detroit and will become lifetime members of an esteemed community of Entrepreneur Of The Year alumni from around the world. The winners will then be considered by the national judges for the Entrepreneur Of The Year National Awards, which will be presented in November at the annual Strategic Growth Forum, where high-growth CEOs, Fortune 1000 executives and investors converge to shape the future of business.
INDUSTRIAL SUPPLY MAGAZINE
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