New book explores how the U.S. is primed for manufacturing resurgence

Throughout his four decades in manufacturing, first-time author Terry M. Iverson has remained vigilant about creating opportunities for young people through manufacturing and has been battling the misperception that it is a second-rate career alternative. Iverson has now written a book on the topic and is leading a Kickstarter campaign to raise $22,000 to help fund the self-publishing of Finding America’s Greatest Champion: Building Prosperity through Manufacturing, Mentoring and the Awesome Responsibility of Parenting.

“Parents and educators, business, and America’s culture must strive to better prepare our youth of tomorrow,” said Iverson, who spent more than a year interviewing more than 40 professionals, researching, and writing the book. “While I am passionate about manufacturing, the overarching message is that we, as parents, must listen to what lights up our children. So many parents have the opportunity to empower their children or mentor others. An entire generation is waiting for the light switch to be flipped.”

The 300-page, 14-chapter book “honors people who earn their living designing, engineering, tinkering, and dreaming of making things,” said Iverson. “I hope to influence the perception of manufacturing in education and in the minds of young people and their parents. Equally important, I want people to know they have choices and that some young people can excel in manufacturing beyond their wildest dreams. I expect our industry to embrace this book but hope that this is so much bigger than that. We need to ready the general population, a large majority of which does not know about the rise of American manufacturing going on right now.

“So many young people do not know that good-paying careers are available in manufacturing, and the industry isn’t what it was 20, 30, or 40 years ago,” said Iverson. “In today’s world, it is automation, robotics, engineering, and the excitement about making things and being a part of something big.”

Iverson owns Iverson & Co., a distributor of turning, milling, and grinding machines in Des Plaines, Ill., and is the founder of ChampionNow!, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that introduces young people to manufacturing careers by changing their perceptions, engaging them in internships, and inspiring them with videos and presentations.