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Manufacturing Day 2020 Looked Much Different
What 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.
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.
Michigan Spring and Stamping
Michigan Spring and Stamping partnered with local Brownie Girl Scout Troop 8375 to assist them in earning their automotive manufacturing badge. The Brownies were able to explore the factory, robots, assembly lines, die presses and 5S.
“Their questions were intriguing and they showed so much interest in what they were learning,” said Jessica Morse, human resources director for Michigan Spring and Stamping and Kern-Liebers USA. “Our team was humbled to be able to play a part in getting children as young as 6 years old interested in manufacturing and seeing so many career options at such a young age.”
In addition to the Automotive Manufacturing badge, the company helped the girls in earning Brownie badges for mechanical engineering, automotive engineering and automotive design.
Here are some candid comments Morse received from the Brownies about their favorite part of the factory tour:
“All of the machines; the machines were cool. I liked the one that made that part that wasn’t supposed to push together, but pull apart,” Alice Morse said of the difference between compression and extension springs.
“Getting the goodie bag and learning about the machines,” commented Ella Walker.
“I liked learning about how they recycle what they aren’t using,” said Annika Smith. “We talk about recycling at school too.”
“I liked being able to bring the parts home and share them with my family and tell them what they do,” explained Clairabelle Holmes.
“I liked the vision system and how it could inspect the parts. I also liked how small and weird looking parts are hidden in everyday things we use,” said Norah Campbell.
Manufacturing Day 2021
Hopefully Manufacturing Day 2021 will return to more in-person visits. To plan your event, visit www.mfgday.com for ideas and to register. n
