Our Sites

Manufacturing Day 2016—You in?

Image courtesy of www.mfgday.com.

Many causes vie for our attention. Each day brings solicitations in the mail, fundraising emails, and telemarketing calls. Even the most socially aware and philanthropic among us can have a difficult time deciding which to support. If you’re involved in manufacturing, one of the most important efforts you can participate in and support is the annual national Manufacturing Day.

As noted on its official website, Manufacturing Day℠ (MFG DAY) is a celebration of modern manufacturing meant to inspire the next generation of manufacturers. Although it officially occurs on the first Friday in October—this year is Oct 7, 2016—any day can be a Manufacturing Day.

What’s its purpose? Primarily to address common misperceptions about manufacturing by giving manufacturers an opportunity to open their doors and show, in a coordinated effort, what manufacturing is — and what it isn’t. By working together during and after MFG DAY, manufacturers can “begin to address the skilled labor shortage they face, connect with future generations, take charge of the public image of manufacturing, and ensure the ongoing prosperity of the whole industry.”

Companies involved in the metal forming and fabricating industry are among this year’s participants. Some have participated every year since the day’s inception in 2011:

  • Pferd Inc., a manufacturer of brushes, abrasives, and power tools, will host a Manufacturing Day event on Oct. 7, 2016, from 9:00 to 11:30 a.m. at its Milwaukee facility.

    Open to middle, high, and technical schools, the company’s event will showcase the work of its manufacturing plant as well as its other operations such as finance, R&D, and sales and marketing.

  • Metcam, a fabricator of sheet metal components and assemblies for OEMs, will commemorate Manufacturing Day by hosting tours for schools, businesses, and members of the community on Oct. 7, 2016, at its manufacturing facility located in Alpharetta, Ga.

    That morning students from five local high schools will tour the facility. From 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. tours will run every 15 min., focusing on advancements within the industry and the need for well-educated, motivated workers. Attendees will learn about education requirements, salary ranges, and duties for a variety of manufacturing careers. Each tour will conclude with refreshments and a question-and-answer session.

  • Waukesha® Metal Products will once again open its doors to students, educators, elected officials, and community members on Oct. 7, 2016.

    The company will host facility tours and presentations from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at its stamping and tooling plant in Sussex, Wis., and its fabrication and assembly plant in Grafton, Wis.

    Company representatives will highlight the importance of manufacturing to the nation’s economy and discuss the many rewarding, highly skilled jobs available in the manufacturing industry. They also will be available to answer questions in relation to career pathways in the industry, equipment, and the production process.

Participating in MFG DAY doesn’t have to be an elaborate affair. The MFG DAY website can help you plan yours. This article on the site can help you decide what type of event you should hold.

Wondering if participating in MFG DAY is worth the effort? Maybe these findings of a participant survey might help convince you.

The industry often bemoans the shortage of skilled talent. MFG DAY events introduce students, parents, and educators to manufacturing careers. You in?

Manufacturing Day is an annual national event, executed at the local level, that supports hundreds of manufacturers across the nation that host students, teachers, parents, job seekers, and other local community members at open houses designed to showcase modern manufacturing technology and careers. A panel of co-producers comprising the Fabricators & Manufacturers Association Intl. (FMA), the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM), the Manufacturing Institute (MI), the National Institute of Standards and Technology’s (NIST) Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP), and guest producer Industrial Strength Marketing (ISM) provide the centralized support necessary to coordinate this nationwide array of simultaneous events.