Manufacturers in need of new hires tout plastics technology, perks

It's manufacturing month at Cary, N.C.-based Cornerstone Building Brands Inc.

The largest producer of exterior building products in North America employs some 20,000 people at about 100 work sites, including 30 manufacturing plants, where many jobs are unfilled as strong demand continues for vinyl siding and windows.

Manufacturing Day is typically celebrated the first Friday in October, and more than a dozen plastics processors and machine and equipment builders participated this year to show the diverse opportunities that exist in the sector.

The Plastics Industry Association, a Washington-based trade group, was a sponsor of MFG Day, which is an initiative of the Manufacturing Institute (MI), the nonprofit education and workforce development partner of the National Association of Manufacturers.

Chrys Kefalas, NAM's vice president of brand strategy, said manufacturing as a career is considered outdated and noninspirational by many job seekers who look beyond the industry.

"They can't visualize roles outside of assembly lines. They look at us really as a one-type-of-career industry," Kefalas told manufacturers in a webinar about what to emphasize in October.

Along those lines, some companies are continuing events all month while others are participating in a yearlong effort called Creators Wanted. The goal is to promote modern workplaces with advanced technology related to automation, 3D printing and robots to appeal to prospective talent.

Cornerstone is a sponsor of Creators Wanted, an MI campaign to build the workforce of tomorrow by inspiring and educating the next generation of manufacturers.

This year's outreach is especially important with companies trying to rebuild the workforce amid the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Rose Lee, president and CEO of Cornerstone Building Brands. Lee was appointed to the position effective Sept. 6 to replace James Metcalf, who retired.

With $2.29 billion in annual sales, Cornerstone is the second-largest pipe, profile and tubing extruder in North America, according to Plastics News' latest ranking.

Lee is taking over at a time when MI says there are nearly 900,000 open jobs in manufacturing — a record for the industry— and 4 million jobs will need to be filled by the end of the decade.

"[There is] an unprecedented need for skilled workers who can design, implement and operate the technologies that will be needed to manufacture the products to sustainably grow our communities," Lee said in a news release. "For our company and countless others, it is crucial to help fill the skills gap that exists today to build a powerful manufacturing workforce of the future."

Cornerstone invited students and community members to a siding facility in Martinsburg, W.Va., on Oct. 1 and will follow that up with programs at a windows facility in Dallas on Oct. 15, a siding plant in York, Neb., on Oct. 22, a metal coating facility in Middletown, Ohio, on Oct. 26, a windows facility in Welcome, N.C. on Oct. 27 and an engineered products plant in Houston on Oct. 28.

"Our teams work together to create exterior building solutions that enable structural, environmental and aesthetic needs of our customers across North America, as well as strengthen our economy," Lee said.

Continuing to change the negative perception of manufacturing is one of the biggest challenges to filling the talent pipeline, according to John Budreau, director of new business development at PTI Engineered Plastics Inc. in Macomb, Mich.

"The narrative should instead convey that manufacturing jobs can be challenging, rewarding and fulfilling, as you have the opportunity to bring new and innovative products to market," Budreau said in an email.

For example, in April 2020, PTI ran tooling operations 24/7 to produce ventilator components as part of the $490 million contract awarded to General Motors and Ventec Life Systems.

During a virtual event Oct. 1 at Noble Plastics Inc., which serves the energy and defense markets, Missy Rogers pointed out to student viewers that the shop floor at the Grand Coteau, La., facility isn't lined with assembly workers.

"There are lots of robots doing the repetitive work like clipping, trimming and cutting. That's all automated so our employees are largely inspectors. They look at parts, verify parts and count and weigh parts," Rogers said.

For one customer, Noble employees helped redesign the BGM-71 TOW (tube-launched, optically tracked, wire-guided) missile.

"This is a device in existence for decades. It was heavy. It was cumbersome. It made a lot of noise, and it cost a lot of money. It was made of metals," Rogers said. "We were involved from the very earliest days with the redesign into composites and plastics. We proudly produce a number of the materials and components for that system that helps keep our armed forces safer."

After going virtual with events in 2020, this year Cornerstone is opening many doors — and maybe minds — to the importance of manufacturers. The company has planned a monthlong showcase about the variety of career opportunities that exist, according to James Keppler, executive vice president of operations. Guests will include students from middle school and high school to vocational and trade schools.

The company is seeking applicants for entry-level skilled labor in production facilities to roles in drafting, engineering, supply chain, human resources, continuous improvement, safety, sustainability and others.

"Each of these jobs is critical to manufacturing at Cornerstone Building Brands," Keppler said in an email. "We are happy to welcome new employees from all walks of life and every generation. We find that today's young adults are looking for career opportunities that provide fulfillment and a chance for future growth. At Cornerstone Building Brands, we believe that a career in manufacturing with us offers both. Our national footprint enables our employees with the potential to advance and grow with the company."

Cornerstone events will include a look inside facilities through virtual and in-person tours that include presentations from company leaders and question-and-answer sessions aimed at dispelling myths about manufacturing and showcasing how it incorporates automation and lean manufacturing into the skilled work it does.

"We also want to affirm that our production employees are at the center of what we do," Keppler said. "National Manufacturing Day and the corresponding events are an opportunity to showcase the incredible work they do to support our company, customers and communities."

Other building products manufacturers also held events, including window makers Marvin and Pella Corp.

After taking a hiatus last year because of the pandemic, Pella participated for the fourth time, providing a presentation about the company and careers in manufacturing and offering a tour of the facility for students age 13 and older. The company's message was simple, according to Olivia Newberg, human resources assistant at the Shenandoah, Iowa, manufacturing plant.

"Manufacturing is not a scary place," she said in an email. "The students could come in and see what we do and the different job opportunities available."

Pella has been getting results, Newberg added.

"We've seen a nice increase in young adults apply in the last couple years, which is great to see. We actually hired several high school graduates this past May."

Pella hopes to expand its candidate pool. Newberg said the company is adding assembly lines in Iowa and needs to fill general assembly positions and some production supervisor openings.

With the exception of 2020, PTI has participated in Manufacturing Day every year since 2013.

On Oct. 1, the company hosted a tour for 22 10th- and 11th-graders from a nearby high school. The tour consisted of presentations in PTI's design studio, toolroom, and manufacturing and secondary operations. Students learned about the design and production of face shields PTI donated to the community during the height of the pandemic as well as the numerous careers that manufacturing has to offer.

PTI currently is looking to fill five positions on the manufacturing floor in both molding and assembly over all three shifts. Additional applicants are being sought for open positions for a material handler for afternoons, two mold setters for afternoons and one mold setter for the night shift. Typically, afternoon and evening shifts are harder to fill.

PTI has seen many young adults apply for operator positions. The company provides training, and the new hires have a chance for advancement within the company, Budreau said.

"Companies should implement programs that allow young adults to broaden their knowledge base across all roles, responsibilities and positions within the manufacturing world," he added. "It's not always a straight shot to VP. Great careers have and will always exist in the manufacturing industry, from engineering to accounting and everywhere in between. It is critical to educate our youth on opportunities within manufacturing in conjunction with programs like Manufacturing Day."

At Noble Plastics, several employees talked about their paths to the company and the technology they use as a process engineer, material handler, quality manager and floor supervisor.

Some workers joined right after high school, while others are college graduates.

"Maybe you can see some of the things they like about their job and that you might like, too," Rogers told student viewers. "I want you to consider a career in this field because it's a growing industry. It's safe. And so many things in your life every day use plastics made in a plant just like ours."

A lot of the industry-specific training is available online, Rogers said, suggesting job candidates check it out.

"We've had people hire in after prepping for an interview who went on YouTube to see how it's made or just Googled injection molding," she said.

Applicants who have taken drafting, wood and metal shop classes in high school also are good candidates.

"We find that people with spatial skills, who understand X, Y and Z, have a particular skill set that translates well to automation programing and robotics inspection tools," Rogers said. "Those aren't things that show up on a standardized test or an ACT test."

The plastics industry is growing, and one of its best opportunities will be incorporating more recycled materials, she added.

"That's a big hurdle for this industry," Rogers said. "The industry is ready to use recycled materials. We have to get the consumers used to collecting them and a means of processing those materials."

Sustainability efforts in the plastics industry will create new jobs, she said.

"If fossil fuels go away and everything goes wind and solar, all of that is in plastic housings, all of that is polymer films," Rogers told students. "Plastics will be used for a long time."

Last year in the midst of the pandemic, Bekum participated in a virtual Manufacturing Day celebration. This year, students toured the blow molding machine building facility in Williamston, Mich., in person. They saw machine demonstrations, participated in question-and-answer sessions and experienced the apprenticeship training center.

"Our award-winning apprenticeship program has changed the lives of many high school graduates and is a great way to begin a rewarding and fulfilling career right here in Williamston," Bekum America's President and Chief Operating Officer Steven London said in a news release.

Bekum program organizers work with various school districts and career centers to identify and recruit students. Each apprentice must complete 8,000 hours of training and approximately 60 tuition-paid credit hours at a community college as they work toward an associate degree.

The company established the program in 1994. About 50 percent of Bekum America's manufacturing workforce have graduated from it or are currently registered.

The young visitors also learned about advancing technologies for automation, 3D printing and robots. Another part of the message was that manufacturers have the highest job retention in the private sector, and 90 percent of manufacturing workers have medical benefits.

Injection molder Revere Plastics Systems LLC participated in MFG Day for the first time on Oct. 1. The company needs machine operators for all shifts.

The jobs are great positions for young adults, according to Kristi Stuetzer, head of human resources at Revere. However, she is encountering hurdles.

"Not enough people [are] interested in our industry, and too many employers are competing for the same talent," Stuetzer said in an email.

Revere held informal, in-person, small presentations about the company and gave a short tour of the plant that was targeted for the eighth-grade level and above.

Stuetzer described the message the company tried convey.

"Plastics manufacturing as a whole is a hands-on industry that makes America competitive," Stuetzer said. "At Revere Plastics, we build everyday products for everyday use that can be seen on cars and trucks, in our homes, yards and at hospitals, sporting events and more. To do this, we are working toward approaching manufacturing in a new way ... with our people. We offer part time, full time, paid on-the-job training, tuition assistance and regular recognition events."

Westfall Teknik Inc. also celebrated Manufacturing Day 2021 at several facilities, according to an overview given by CEO Mark Gomulka on LinkedIn.

The manufacturing technology supplier invited high school juniors and seniors in a skilled trade program to their facility in Wakefield, Mich., in the state's Upper Peninsula. The students were given a tour of the tooling and production plants and had an opportunity to ask questions about EDM, quality and engineering.

In the Twin Cities area, both the New Richmond, Wis., and Willernie, Minn., site invited students and instructors from a college as well as a representative from the Wisconsin Department for Workforce Development into the facilities for tours. Both sites also participated in interviews with local news outlets.

The plant in Ansonia, Conn., had a successful turnout hosting guests from MASC Technical Training Center. Plant managers gave student tours, spoke about roles within the facility, explained molds and bioresins, and answered general questions about manufacturing.

In Elizabethtown, Ky., the company encouraged all employees to bring their families to see where they work, the products produced, what the day in a life of a manufacturing professional looks like and gain insight on technology in manufacturing.

The site in Tijuana, Mexico, marked the occasion with continued training in Wittmann robots.

In South Elgin, Ill., most local schools weren't permitting field trips due to COVID-19, but that didn't stop Hoffer Plastics from promoting opportunities in manufacturing as it had in past years.

Hoffer Plastics built on its "Break the Mold" initiative to rebrand job interest in the field of manufacturing in the Chicago area through a video series and a dedicated webpage targeted at the 18- to 24-year-old demographic.

The custom injection molder is expecting unprecedented growth in the coming years. The company currently employs 350 people who produce more than 3 billion plastic parts annually for the packaging, medical, automotive, appliance and consumer industrial markets.

The third-generation family owners have found that many groups lack education about the manufacturing field, its expected growth and increased demand for labor, according to Charlotte Hoffer-Canning, chief culture officer.

"We have to reeducate and enlighten young adults and their parents/mentors to the fantastic opportunities that manufacturing offers and break some of the lingering stereotypes about the industry," Hoffer-Canning said in an email. "And we have to be sure we deliver on what young people expect in this post-COVID environment: flexibility in terms of work-life balance, environmental and social responsibility, on-the-job support, work with a meaningful purpose and, of course, good pay and benefits."

Hoffer Plastics is using the online and video platforms to amplify the voices of its employees who wish they knew more about manufacturing job opportunities when they were in high school and that the company isn't just a job, but a great place to work.

Hoffer also opened its headquarters to the media for on-site tours and background during regular business hours and by appointment to promote the campaign.

"We're seeing steady progress," Hoffer-Canning said. "Our Break the Mold campaign is generating stronger-than-average click-through rates, and we're seeing steady increases in applicants, interviews and hires."

The company currently has 15 openings due to COVID-related challenges, business growth and natural transitions such as retirements.

"Like most companies, we're eager to fill these roles with new talent that can bring fresh ideas and perspectives," Hoffer-Canning said.

Apple Valley, Minn.-based Uponor North America didn't host any tours or events for MFG Day this year because of concerns about the COVID-19 Delta variant, but it is taking many other actions to attract applicants to the 40 jobs open at its pipe-producing, warehouse and office facilities in the U.S. and Canada.

The company expanded its use of social media, print ads, radio spots and billboards in local markets to highlight the open roles, which it bills as head-of-household career opportunities with perks, that are available at its manufacturing and warehouse operations.

The perks include a benefits plans with up to five weeks of one-on-one training, personal development programs, four weeks of paid time off annually, company-provided PTO to volunteer in the community, 401K with a company match and competitive pay.

For employees outside its manufacturing area, Uponor is developing a more flexible approach to working at both the office and home.

Uponor also says it offers job security and chances for advancement amid strong demand for its products in the residential and commercials markets.

In addition, the company points to a great corporate culture and recognition as a top workplace in Minnesota for eight years.

Uponor also has built strong alliances with high schools, vocational schools and local colleges and universities. The company donates products and offered install advice during the construction of tiny houses made by students and it gives out scholarships to prospective talent to establish pathways for career success upon graduation.