FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, August 24, 2015
Contact: Robynn Albert, VMEC Marketing & Training Manager
Vermont Manufacturing Extension Center (VMEC)
P.O. Box 12, Randolph Center, VT 05061
Cell: (802) 793-2078 / [email protected]
Vermont and National Manufacturing Day/ Month scheduled for October 2, 2015 and entire month of October
Randolph Center, VT – The Vermont Manufacturing Extension Center (VMEC) is spreading the word that the fourth annual National Manufacturing Day (MFG DAY) is scheduled for Friday, October 2, 2015 and in Vermont the entire month of October has become part of a growing national Manufacturing Day initiative. Manufacturers, educational institutions and others are encouraged to host events that highlight the importance of manufacturing to the Vermont and U.S. economies and also draw attention to the many rewarding high-skill and higher paying jobs that modern manufacturing provides. Manufacturing companies and other supporters are being encouraged to sponsor and register their events or find an event to attend at www.MFGDAY.com where ideas for events and many resources are available.
Last year during MFG DAY 2014, nearly 1,700 manufacturers across the United States and in Canada and Puerto Rico opened their doors to tens of thousands of guests in a coordinated effort to help illustrate what manufacturing is and what it is not. This year’s celebrations will feature many open houses, public plant tours, career workshops and activities designed to increase public awareness of 21st Century manufacturing. In addition to a day-long celebration on October 2nd, Vermont Governor Peter Shumlin has proclaimed October 2015 as “Manufacturing ‘Month’ in Vermont.” So, if October 2nd doesn’t work well for you and your team, you can shine a spotlight on the importance of manufacturing by hosting an event on another day this October, or perhaps celebrate more than once.
Participation in MFG DAY 2015 helps address common misconceptions by giving manufacturers an opportunity to open their doors and showcase manufacturing. This emphasis on manufacturers can also help to address the job and career opportunities available in this critical economic sector. VMEC is encouraging Vermont manufacturers and all supportive entities to be creative in developing their ideas and plans in ways that will showcase local manufacturing companies and their many outstanding products and services, especially on Friday, October 2nd.
According to VMEC Director & CEO Bob Zider, “Manufacturing is absolutely critical to Vermont’s economy, with every $1 in manufactured goods generating an estimated $1.32 in additional economic activity, the highest of any other sector. It also provides very good paying jobs and benefits to about 32,000 Vermonters, which represent over 10.4% of Vermont’s working population, compared to an average 9% across the United States. And in Vermont, manufacturing contributes about $3.3 Billion or 12% of our state’s gross domestic product (GDP), with every manufacturing job supporting at least an additional 1.6 jobs and each advanced manufacturing job supporting as many as 4.9 other jobs. Manufacturing has clearly been changing and its long-term future remains very bright. There are many excellent job and career opportunities available right now with some really great Vermont companies. So why wouldn’t we want to strongly encourage manufacturing growth throughout Vermont by highlighting and celebrating MFG DAY and Month 2015 this October?”
The nationwide MFG DAY effort is co-produced by the Fabricators & Manufacturers Association, International (FMA), the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM), the Manufacturing Institute (MI) and the National Institute of Standards and Technology’s (NIST) Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) – with whom VMEC is affiliated – and Industrial Strength Marketing in Nashville.
To learn more or register your MFG DAY 2015 event, log on to www.mfgday.com where many free resources and ideas are available to companies, organizations and educational institutions desiring to host special events.