Manufacturing is Hot—Spread the Word

Numerous metalforming and fabricating companies across the country opened their doors to their local communities on Friday, October 4, 2013, as part of the second annual Manufacturing Day festivities. Included were several Precision Metalforming Association member companies. PMA and its sister association Women in Manufacturing are among several industry-leading organizations sponsoring this national day, designed to promote careers in manufacturing to students and others.

The Grafton, WI fabrication facility of Waukesha Metal Products hosted a tour for 80 eighth-grade students and their chaperones.

Companies joining the Manufacturing Day celebration designed plant tours and informational sessions to address common misperceptions about manufacturing. They presented what manufacturing is—and what it is not. The goal is for manufacturers to connect with future generations, take charge of the public image of manufacturing, and ensure the ongoing prosperity of the entire industry.

Raise Awareness

“Manufacturing Day is important for PMA member companies because it allows them to raise awareness in their communities about 21st century manufacturing,” says PMA President Bill Gaskin. “Our members showed off their modern facilities that utilize computers, robots and automation. We know that counteracting outdated misperceptions with the reality of today’s high tech manufacturing is the best to address challenges like the skills gap that threaten the American manufacturing sector’s growth.”

Students from four high schools joined local VIPs on a tour of Ultra Tool & Manufacturing, Menomonee Falls, WI. Among those in attendance: Wisconsin Lieutenant Governor Rebecca Kleefisch and Secretary of Workforce Development Reggie Newson, who also toured Waukesha Metal Products.

Among the PMA member companies that participated, by hosting special events at their facilities:

• ACE Clearwater Enterprises, Torrance, CA

• Automation Tool & Die, Brunswick, OH

• Clips & Clamps Industries, Plymouth, MI

• Penn United, Saxonburg, PA

• Pentaflex, Springfield, OH

• Rockford Toolcraft, Rockford, IL

• Select Industries, Dayton, OH

• Ultra Tool & Mfg., Menomonee Falls, WI

• Waukesha Metal Products, Sussex, WI

• Weiss-Aug, East Hanover, NJ