Since it’s inception in 2011, Manufacturing Day encourages collaboration between manufacturers, students, and local communities to learn more about the industry and the important impact of the manufacturing sector on our economy.
Manufacturing Day 2020 is not only a day to celebrate a thriving industry, but to educate the future leaders of the manufacturing business. Held annually on the first Friday in October, Manufacturing Day encourages businesses to open their doors to students, educators, and leaders in an effort to advance the field and support the skilled workers.
Manufacturing Day aims to end the stigma that it is a low-tech field with little importance to the United States and its economy. While the past generations of workers begin to retire, jobs remain open as they aren’t always top priority for the younger generation as they explore their career paths. However, in 2019 the average manufacturing worker was making $88,406 including eligible benefits. It’s estimated that within the next decade, nearly 4.6 million manufacturing jobs will need to be filled, so educating the future generation on the importance of the field, as well as the opportunities within it are more important than ever.
The manufacturing footprint in the United States is huge. In the first quarter alone, manufacturing contributed $2.632 trillion to the U.S. economy. Additionally, for every $1 spent in manufacturing, another $2.74 is added to the U.S. economy making it the highest multiplier effect of any economic sector. Learn more important facts about the industry here:
Manufacturers Worth Celebrating
During the Covid-19 pandemic, many manufacturing companies chose to step up and step in to help create personal protective equipment (PPE) to those that needed it. MyPillow, based out of Minnesota, refocused 75% of their production to face masks. As the pandemic peaked, MyPillow was producing 30,000 face masks a day, dispersing them to healthcare facilities nationwide that were in need.
Ford Motor Co. teamed up with 3M and General Electric to mass produce medical equipment by repurposing both existing parts and existing workers. In a time when medical professionals were forced to use inadequate gear to protect themselves while they fought to save lives, so many of these manufacturing companies were stepping up to fill both supply chain and product holes to offer more protection.
Not only are manufacturing companies stepping outside of their comfort zones when it comes to their products, they’re also working hard to speed up production of desperately needed products to help during the crisis. Custom Industrial Products was able to produce, ship, and install their Vertical Reciprocating Conveyor Lift in just seven days. This would typically take anywhere from six to nine weeks to complete. These VRC Lifts assisted in moving ventilator materials between several floors of an automotive manufacturing building tasked to manufacture ventilators, essentially streamlining the process and increasing production.
National Manufacturing Day 2020 Events
There are so many ways to celebrate National Manufacturing Day 2020. Consider taking part in some of the flagship events presented by The Manufacturing Institute. A Program for America’s Students takes place on October 2nd at 12:00pm EDT and aims to excite students about potential opportunities within the industry. There is also an event specifically for teachers meant to help them understand these future opportunities for their students and be a resource for students looking to follow a path into manufacturing. A Program for Teachers takes place on October 5th at 12:00pm EDT. For information on how to livestream these events, visit CreatorsWanted.org.
This year’s celebration is sure to look very different as participants will not be able to physically go to factories and tour the spaces. With that in mind, many companies have come up with a virtual plan. Allegion has plans for a virtual experience using Microsoft Teams which will feature a hybrid of both live and recorded content. Boeing also plans to move its celebration to a virtual platform this year. Boeing is planning mainly video content of their employees and interns explaining their roles, as well as a virtual tour of their facility. Boeing also plans to allow students to conduct virtual interviews with their employees to get all of their questions answered.
Manufacturing is an essential to our way of life and building a better future. In a time where so many companies needed to pivot in order to continue moving forward in their business, manufacturing companies were there to help. From using their resources to develop products outside of their comfort zone to speeding up their processes in order to provide products for a greater good, manufacturing companies stepped up in a big way. Here at eRep, we celebrate that commitment to our country not only on Manufacturing Day, but all year round. We invite you to learn more about the industries we are proud to serve, how we have helped other manufacturers 3X their sales, and specifically how eRep helps manufacturers by following these links.
About the Author
Wes Marsh
Wes is the Director of Marketing at BCA Technologies, and brings over 15 years of sales, marketing, and technology expertise. He has successfully completed major CRM, CPQ, ERP and CMS projects and is a seasoned expert in how technology can positively impact user experience and drive business value. Outside of work, he is a loving father and husband and a huge fan of the Tennessee Titans.
