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MiMfg Magazine May 2017
Member
Spotlight
“
The effect of manufacturing can vary
from town to town, but every community’s
story is impacted by the companies and
employees who call it home. At the same
time, the values and economic success of
a business can be closely tied to its
surrounding community. For the last 20
years, the stories of the Roscommon
community and Lear Corporation have
been intertwined — and both have thrived.
“I love the Roscommon community —
it’s a diverse town filled with people who
have such pride in their work. As much as
Lear has made its mark on Roscommon,
I’d have to say that the people of Roscommon
have made an equal mark on Lear,” says
Vern Manning, plant manager for Lear
Corporation’s Roscommon location.
With its products on more than 400
vehicle nameplates, manufactured by
approximately 150,000 employees across
37 countries and ranking #154 on the
Fortune 500, Lear has the global presence
of a large corporation yet continues to
reflect the values of the many small
communities like Roscommon which
house its many facilities.
Rear seat recliner assemblies
prior to going to the assembly line.
Manufacturing is still all about small communities and the
local facilities that populate Michigan and other locations
around the world. Successful manufacturers are always
looking to connect with the community. They invest locally,
hire locally, and seek long-term relationships with local
educators, businesses, and leaders.
“Manufacturing is still all about small
communities and the local facilities that
populate Michigan and other locations
around the world,” reflects Manning.
“Successful manufacturers are always
looking to connect with the community.
They invest locally, hire locally, and seek
long-term relationships with local educators,
businesses and leaders.”
Since 2009, Lear has invested more
than $22 million in the Roscommon
plant. These efforts have allowed for
facility improvements, the purchase of
new equipment, the development of
internships and apprenticeships, and
more than a 330 percent increase in jobs.
Laser welding rear seat back frames
at Lear’s Roscommon plant.
”
“Roscommon is responsible for
stamping, welding, autophoretic
painting and assembly utilizing
unique, cutting-edge technologies
like in-die extrusion and tapping
and robotic laser welding,” says
Manning. “Ours was the first Lear
location to use these high-tech
methods and we’re continuing
to develop new, innovative
manufacturing processes.”
As the acquisition of talent
becomes more difficult, these
high-tech offerings provide job
seekers a reason to seriously consider
a career in manufacturing.
“Matt Simoncini, Lear’s
president & CEO, always says
‘our greatest asset and our
competitive advantage is our
people’ and that’s the truth,”
Manning says.
Lear works with the Michigan
Works! program, recruits at the
local and county level, and has
developed a DOL-accredited
apprenticeship program to help
prepare workers for where the
industry is heading.
“I’m really excited about Lear’s
current direction,” says Manning.
“A lot of that is because of where
we are and who we employ. The
story of Lear and Roscommon is far
from over — our most exciting
chapters are still waiting to be
written. Who knows what the next
20, 50 or 100 years will bring.”
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