It’s never too early to think about Manufacturing Day (MFG Day). This annual event, celebrating manufacturing and inspiring the next generation of manufacturers, is held on the first Friday of October, although any day can be MFG Day.
By hosting an event, you can share your company’s story with your community and showcase your products and processes through tours and presentations. MFG Day events are also an excellent way to inspire the future workforce by hosting student groups. Students will learn what modern manufacturing is and isn’t and can explore manufacturing as a career opportunity. Post MFG Day surveys indicate students have a more positive perception of manufacturing.
The first MFG Day was held in 2012 and included 240 events. Participation has continued to grow tremendously each year. In 2019, there were over 3,041 events held in the United States with 119 of those held in North Carolina.
Let’s increase North Carolina’s participation in 2020 and promote the importance of manufacturing to the state’s economy and community. Ready to share your company’s story and inspire the next generation? Getting involved is easy – you can register your event at https://www.mfgday.com/ be sure to check out the available resources to help promote your event. Resources include logos and toolkits to help with planning and marketing.
If you are looking for a co-host to help promote and organize your event or if you need a guest speaker, the North Carolina Manufacturing Extension Partnership (NCMEP) is here to help. NCMEP is a network of seven North Carolina organizations that provide extension services designed to enhance the productivity, innovative capacity and technological performance of NC manufacturing companies.
NC State’s Industry Expansion Solutions hosts the center and is joined by partners from the North Carolina Community College System; NCWorks Customized Training; the Economic Development Partnership of NC (EDPNC); the Polymers Center of Excellence; the Manufacturing Solutions Center; East Carolina University and North Carolina A&T State University. As one of the U.S. Commerce Department’s NIST Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) centers, NCMEP helps small- and mid-size manufacturers create and retain jobs, increase profits, become more globally competitive, and save time and money.
For assistance with your MFG Day event, please contact NCMEP, your IES Regional Manager or Susan Barber, Assistant Director of Manufacturing Programs.
