Manufacturing Day events expected to top 1,500 in 2014

More than 1,500 manufacturing events across the country are estimated to mark the third-annual Manufacturing Day taking place Friday, Oct. 3, according to event co-producers.

Manufacturing Day is designed to introduce as many people as possible to the important role played by manufacturing both in local communities and for the nation. The 2013 celebration included 831 official events.

Manufacturing Day is a national event executed at the local level. It supports hundreds of manufacturers across North America as they host students, teachers, parents, job seekers and other local community members at open houses designed to showcase modern manufacturing technology and careers.

A wide range of activities will be held across the country, from open house tours of manufacturing plants and educational programs at community and technical colleges to professional conferences and job fairs. Many municipalities are planning events across an entire week and numerous states have declared October as Manufacturing Month.

A panel of co-producers comprised of the Fabricators & Manufacturers Association, International (FMA), the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM), the Manufacturing Institute (MI), the National Institute of Standards and Technology’s (NIST) Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP), and guest producer Industrial Strength Marketing (ISM) provide the centralized support necessary to coordinate this nationwide array of simultaneous events.

“Today’s manufacturing is about advanced technologies, state of the art facilities, and fast paced work environments,” said Jennifer McNelly, president of The Manufacturing Institute. “Manufacturing Day expands knowledge and improves public perception about manufacturing by giving manufacturers an opportunity to open their doors and show, in a coordinated effort, what manufacturing really is.”

“The co-producer organizations, our partners and sponsors are gratified to see the rapid growth of Manufacturing Day, which was held for the first time just two years ago with 240 events,” said Ed Youdell, president and CEO of the Fabricators & Manufacturers Association. “By introducing local communities to their manufacturing sector and demonstrating the contribution that manufacturing makes to the local economy, we can ensure a better future and way of life for our children and grandchildren. Our future depends on our ability to strengthen and advance this vital sector of the nation’s economy.”

Manufacturing Day media partner Science Channel will celebrate with a 24-hour marathon of its How It’s Made program from Oct. 2-3 preceded by an advertising campaign that encourages its viewers to go out and see how it’s made in their own communities. Movie partner American Made Movie is working with event hosts to secure public showings of this full-length feature documentary as part of the celebration.

The sponsors invite additional manufacturers and organizations supporting the manufacturing industry to join the program. To learn more about Manufacturing Day, visit www.mfgday.com.