5TH ANNUAL MADE IN PA: AREA FIRMS SHOWCASE INNOVATION, CAREERS FOR MANUFACTURING DAY Across the country, thousands of manufacturers and technical schools will join together and open their doors to showcase the potential of modern manufacturing and foster interest in manufacturing careers to kick off the third annual Manufacturing Day on Friday, October 3. The national event presents an opportunity for a wide range of activities — from open house tours of manufacturing facilities and educational programs at community and technical colleges, to professional conferences and job fairs. The Manufacturer & Business Association, for one, is raising awareness in the Business Magazine’s fifth annual Made in PA edition and hosting the Erie premiere of the major motion picture “American Made Movie” on October 3. Here in the Keystone State, where manufacturing represents more than half a million high-wage jobs and is the second largest contributor to the gross state product, there is a growing interest for Pennsylvania’s nearly 15,000 manufacturing firms to participate.
“As manufacturers, we need to communicate and open our doors to allow students to see inside, ask questions and learn about the awesome opportunities offered right here in Erie.” - Bill Hilbert Jr., Reddog Industries
LORD Corporation, a diversified tech and manufacturing company that develops adhesives, coatings, motion control and sensing tech in the aerospace, automotive and industrial markets, already has announced that it will be providing scheduled tours with the local schools on Manufacturing Day. The tours will be conducted at the company’s new Erie Robison Road facility and in Cambridge Springs.
“Manufacturing Day provides us an opportunity to highlight that today’s manufacturing plants are well organized, highly innovative and create tangible value for the economy,” notes Will Hinkston, vice president of Global Operations at LORD. “With higher wages and the ability to see the outcome of your efforts, a career in manufacturing is rewarding and provides a great sense of teamwork.” Meanwhile, in Meadville, Tech Molded Plastics, a family owned injection molded plastics company, will be hosting tours of its facility for students from the Crawford Central School District, providing insight about its products and services, as well as promoting careers in local manufacturing. H&H Machined Products Co., a manufacturer of precision component parts in Fairview, and Industrial Sales & Mfg., Inc., a full-service manufacturer in Millcreek Township, are also teaming up for a tour of their facilities to guidance counselors in December, while Plastikos & Micro Mold, headquartered in Erie, are planning to host detailed tours for select high school students, who are enrolled in technical training programs. Reddog Industries also will schedule private tours for groups of up to 15 people on October 3 and after. The Erie-based manufacturer specializes in large component precision machining, design and manufacture of high-pressure plastic injection molds and aluminum and zinc die-cast dies. Bill Hilbert Jr., president of Reddog Industries and vice chairman of the Manufacturer & Business Association Board of Governors, says the event is a great way for local industries and technical schools to get the word out about the importance of manufacturing and manufacturing careers. “Manufacturers in the Erie region have evolved into a very specialized and highly efficient industry; good, safe manufacturing jobs are available, but there is a severe shortage of candidates to fill these positions,” Hilbert says. “We need to communicate to the students and their parents that college is not the answer for everyone. If a student pursues technical training or an associate degree program and considers a co-op program or similar programs offered through the local high schools and technical schools, good-paying jobs are available. “ 16 < www.mbabizmag.com < October 2014