June 2019
5 Tips for a Great MFG Day
Nearly 2,800 events were held last year and one of
every 9 took place in Michigan. From open houses to
block parties to job fairs, MFG Day allows students,
parents, teachers, counselors and local leaders to see
manufacturing careers in a new light.
Every MFG Day event is different but they all
make an impact. What impact will yours have on your
local community? Here are five common types of
events you can consider participating in on 10/4/19:
1
Plant tours — Open your doors and invite your
community in. This is the most straightforward
event for MFG Day. Share your products and
your passion with the next generation. Tips to
make it great are available at mimfg.org .
2
Multi-company events or local expos — Want to
focus on the industry more than your specific
business? Partner with other businesses to host a
tour day! You can rent a tour bus, set up stops
along the way, provide some snacks and make it
a memorable day of manufacturing for your town.
3
Job fairs — Invite tomorrow’s talent to visit you
today! Work with local employment associations
like Michigan Works! to host opportunities to
build employer-employee connections and turn
MFG Day into a hiring event. Helpful strategies
are available at mimfg.org .
4
Educational fairs — Go to where the kids are
and work with local high schools, community
colleges and universities to host an event where
students can learn more about your business
without any pressure.
MiMfg Magazine
MMA Members Answer:
What was the best part of the
MFG Day experience for you?
“ Seeing the pride in our employees, inspiring the
next generation of manufacturers, highlighting
technological advancements in the industry and
displaying the processes and products that make up
Lomar Machine and Tool were significant benefits
of participating in Manufacturing Day.
– Becky Dorian, Lomar Machine & Tool
”
“ The number of students that showed up that had
a genuine interest in manufacturing and the ‘aha’-
moments of some of the counselors that there are
great job prospects in manufacturing, even without
a college degree.
– Bernard Kerschbaum, Rosler USA
”
“ My favorite part is hearing the questions students
ask our employees — Where did you go to school?
What did you study? — you can see them realize
the possibilities available for their future.
– Dino Muzzin, Emergent BioSolutions
”
“ For DeWys, the best part of MFG day is opening our
doors to the community and seeing the perception
of manufacturing change for the better within a
matter of a few hours. It gives the company an
opportunity to create positive relationships with
the community while raising awareness of career
opportunities in the skilled trades industry!
– Laura Elsner, DeWys Manufacturing
”
5
Celebrations of the manufacturing community —
Reach out to your existing partners in the
community and make a day of manufacturing
fun! Service providers, local associations and
economic development groups can all lend a hand
to make this year’s MFG Day one to remember.
Remember to register your event at mfgday.com
or contact Brett Gerrish, at 517-487-8533, to help
get the word out across Michigan.
6
MFG Day events like the one at Shape Corp. teach
women that manufacturing is a career worth pursuing.
Get More!
Find resources for planning your MFG
Day at mimfg.org and mfgday.com .
MFG Day gives companies like Rosler the chance
to showcase manufacturing’s “cool factor.”
11