Manufacturing Day has grown a lot since it launched as a pilot program in 2012 in the Midwest, but its central theme has remained the same.
"The idea was to allow the manufacturers to open their doors in any way they see fit to invite the community, their schools, their educators, the legislators and others, so that they see what is modern manufacturing and the value of manufacturing for the community," Ed Youdell, president and CEO of the Fabricators and Manufacturers Association, said in 2020.
Thousands of companies from across the U.S. along with several international locations will participate in Manufacturing Day 2023 on Oct. 6, along with events throughout the month. And, true to that first proposal, participating manufacturers are free to decide how to participate.
Plastics Extrusion Machinery LLC in McPherson, Kan., has an afternoon and evening open house to show off an expansion. In North Andover, Mass., sensor maker Gefran Inc. will host undergraduate and graduate students from the University of Massachusetts Lowell's plastics engineering department for insight into engineering and technology.
The Society of Plastics Engineers' PlastiVan program will be part of a Michigan State University program for 150 students from Detroit on Oct. 5.
And in Walkerton, Ind., composites company Polygon Inc. is offering high school seniors a chance to work on their interviewing skills for future job opportunities.
Those are, of course, just a few examples. Is your company participating in MFG Day? Feel free to share your plans.