Y
September 2017
our business is more important to
your community than you realize.
Manufacturing means more than just
jobs or investment dollars to your town.
Manufacturing provides a sense of pride
and belonging to people. It gives them a
chance to drive past your local facility,
smile and feel like they are a part of
something greater than themselves —
a business that improves the lives of
people around the world.
That is part of me.
My family helped build this.
Those are powerful thoughts but the
most successful communities don’t just
have communities who support their
manufacturers, they have manufacturers
that support their communities. Neither
the business nor the town can reach its
full potential without the other’s
continuing engagement.
Unfortunately, much of manufacturing’s
impact on local communities is not
publicized. Each year, ac cording to the
National Association of Manufacturers,
manufacturers put millions of dollars and
countless resources into local efforts and
charities. Many of the more than 600,000
people employed in manufacturing
contribute countless hours of their
time to making their community as
great as it can be. For every $1.00 spent
in manufacturing, another $1.81 is
added to the economy.
The influence a successful manufacturer
can have on its hometown is immense.
MMA reached out to five well-
known industry leaders for examples of
manufacturers reaching out to their
community. As you read these unique,
but not uncommon stories of local
manufacturers, consider these questions:
Wolverine Coil Spring
Makes Talent a Top
Priority in Grand Rapids
Successful manufacturers recognize
that the health and vibrancy of our local
community has a direct impact on its
business and its employees. Wolverine
Coil Spring has adopted a triple-bottom
line focus so our mission specifically
calls out “actively participating in
improving our community” as a key
purpose. This underlying mission
ensures all employees feel empowered to
get involved in community activities.
“Partnerships between manufacturers
and educators are always in demand, so
connecting with your local school district,
ISD, community college, or four-year
institution is an important starting
point for any manufacturer’s community
“
We are constantly asking
ourselves what role could
or should a manufacturer
play in this community
development challenge.
Are we doing enough?
Can we do more?
”
— Jay Dunwell
Wolverine Coil Spring Co.
MiMfg Magazine
engagement effort,” says Jay Dunwell,
president, Wolverine Coil Spring Co.
Workforce development has been
a long-term focus of Wolverine’s
community efforts. Local efforts like
MiCareerQuest (www.micareerquest.org),
Discover Manufacturing (www.discover-
manufacturing.com) and participation
in National MFG Day (www.mfgday.
com) are fun career exploration efforts
that impact perceptions of manufacturing
careers. Discover Manufacturing is, by
design, a collaboration or educators,
workforce developers, economic developers
and manufacturers; always interested in
connecting with more manufacturers to
help with their talent needs.
As part of our partnership with Grand
Rapids Public Schools Union High School
and Kent ISD, Wolverine recently
sponsored a 3-D printer and supplies for
students to have a 3-D printer in their
classroom and to bring manufacturing
to life in a hands-on fashion.
“A challenge we and others are
trying to improve is the disparity of
economic success and opportunity,”
remarks Dunwell. “Certain geographical
areas have much higher unemployment
and have not been lifted by the economic
wave so many others in Grand Rapids
have enjoyed. We are constantly asking
ourselves what role could or should a
manufacturer play in this community
development challenge. Are we doing
enough? Can we do more?”
• Is your business making a positive
impact on the local community?
• Is the mission of your business tied
to the vision of your community?
• What resources can you provide to
make tomorrow better than today?
• Is there something more you can
do to build relationships within
your hometown?
These are some of the questions
all manufacturer must ask themselves
because if manufacturing doesn’t lead
local communities, who will?
The team at Wolverine Coil Spring know how to have fun
with their community through exciting events all year long.
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