wongwean/Shutterstock.com
Global CTE News Highlights Manufacturing Day 2020 Looked Much Different
W
hat a difference a year makes. Most spring companies have been robust participants in Manufacturing Day over the past five years. In 2020, due to COVID-19 restrictions, most opted to sit on the sidelines and others held virtual events. Held annually on the first Friday in October, Manufacturing Day helps show the reality of modern manufacturing careers by encouraging thousands of companies and educational institutions around the nation to open their doors to students, parents, teachers and community leaders. Here are reports from three SMI member companies about this year’s events.
Betts Company
At Betts Company in Fresno, California, approximately 30 students participated in a Zoom call with Joe Devany, the company’s vice president of manufacturing. “I prepared a PowerPoint and discussed our history, our core values, our different operating divisions, and the skills we look for in our employees,” explained Devany. The company made a video to give students a “virtual” tour of its spring manufacturing plant. “We talked a lot about being coachable and wanting to learn. The students had a lot of great questions about our operations, the types of springs we make, and different roles within the organization,” said Devany. He said the event was “different,” but worked out well. “I wish I was able to see everyone’s faces, as some students just dialed in and did not use video,” concluded Devany.
Geoff Twietmeyer, vice president – engineering at Michigan Spring and Stamping provides Brownie Girl Scout Troop 8375 with a tour of the company's manufacturing plant.
“We talked a lot about being coachable and wanting to learn. The students had a lot of great questions about our operations, the types of springs we make, and different roles within the organization.” Like other spring companies, Betts hopes to hold a traditional event at their manufacturing plant in October.
Ace Wire Spring & Form
While not able to hold an in-person event, Ace Wire Spring & Form Co. produced a short video featuring interesting facts about the manufacturing industry and
the career opportunities available. You can watch it here: https://www.youtube. com/watch?v=GrahtJhGhpU The company sent the video link to local schools, along with a flyer designed to help attract young people to the possibilities of starting a career in manufacturing at Ace Wire Spring & Form Co.
SPRINGS / Winter 2021 / 69
