Bayer Corp.'s agriculture division of Kansas City, Wainwright Industries Inc. of St. Peters and Zenith Aircraft Co. of Mexico were selected as "Missouri Industries of the Year" by Associated Industries of Missouri (AIM).

Awards were presented last month at the Capitol Plaza Hotel in Jefferson City by Joe Driskill, director of the Missouri Department of Economic Development.

This marked the first year for the statewide awards selected by AIM, which received several nominations for the awards in three categories -- small (50 or fewer employees), medium (51 to 250 employees) and large (251 or more employees).

"We wanted to celebrate the contribution that Missouri industry makes to the economic success of the State of Missouri," said Chris Long, AIM president, and a member of the Missouri Industry of the Year Awards Committee."

The AIM program is designed to showcase innovations, entrepreneurial spirit, leadership and economic success of Missouri Industry.

Plans are under for the 2000 Missouri Industries of the Year program, scheduled for next April 18.