Held annually on the first Friday in October, MFG Day took place on Oct. 4 throughout North America. It is designed to show students, educators, job seekers, elected officials, community leaders, and others the current state of manufacturing processes, as well as showcase potential careers and opportunities by encouraging thousands of companies and educational institutions around the nation to open their doors for plant tours and educational sessions. Companies that were unable to hold an event on Oct. 4 have the opportunity to hold it another day during the month because October is also Manufacturing Month.
Several AMT members that hosted plant tours or other events include ABB; AstroNova, Inc.; GF Machining Solutions; Index Corporation; Jergens, Inc.; Mastercam/CNC Software, Inc.; Okuma America Corporation; Sandvik Coromant; Toshiba Machine Co.; and United Grinding North America.
Started in 2012, MFG Day has grown every year, and this year, there are 1,265 events planned. Last year, 275,000 people participated in events across North America—and after attending these events, more than 80 percent of students said they became more convinced that manufacturing provides interesting and rewarding careers.
MFG Day gives manufacturers the opportunity to open their doors to the public, connect the future workforce to potential employers, and update the image of manufacturing and manufacturing jobs in their communities through guided plant tours and educational events. The current state of manufacturing, including the use of advanced technology, can be showcased and discussed. For companies in highly secure industries such as defense, virtual tours and events provide a similar educational experience.
It is not uncommon for residents to be unaware of the manufacturing companies and facilities in their region because they are often located in office parks or remote locations, and they are rarely open to the public.
By working together to promote the manufacturing industry during and after MFG Day, manufacturers address the skilled labor shortage they face, connect with future generations, put a contemporary spin on the image of manufacturing, and ensure the ongoing prosperity of the entire industry.
Created by Founding Partner Fabricators and Manufacturers Association International in 2012, MFG Day is supported by many organizations aligned with its mission. Organizations that have played a vital role in working with FMA include the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM), the Manufacturing Institute (MI), the National Institute of Standards and Technology’s (NIST), and Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP). MFG Day is currently produced annually by the NAM with key contributions and support from the MEP and the MI.
To promote MFG Day and provide resources on locations, the website www.mfgday.com lets users easily search locations by city and region. The site also includes current information on available scholarships, success stories, and other useful information.
