Friday, October 3^rd marks the third annual Manufacturing Day or MFG DAY in social media parlance. In case you have not previously heard of Manufacturing Day, it is the annual celebration of manufacturing in North America, particularly in the United States. This National Event was established to expand knowledge about manufacturing and improve the public’s perception of U.S. manufacturing. The special day emphasizes the importance of American manufacturing to the economy. It also stresses educating the public about the value of US manufacturing careers. (Much has been written lately about the US Manufacturing Skills gap and how it impacts manufacturing). 

One of the goals of the annual Manufacturing Day is to give hosts a chance to show visitors what present-day manufacturing looks like. To do this, the Manufacturing Day organizers encourage manufacturers from around the country to open their doors for open houses and events.  Schools and Technical colleges are organizing their own MFG DAY events or collaborate with manufacturing companies to get students to local MFG DAY events. 

The organizers of this event said, “MFG DAY addresses common misperceptions about manufacturing by giving manufacturers an opportunity to open their doors and show, in a coordinated effort, what manufacturing is — and what it isn’t. By working together during and after MFG DAY, manufacturers will begin to address the skilled labor shortage they face, connect with future generations, take charge of the public image of manufacturing, and ensure the ongoing prosperity of the whole industry. 

Supported by a group of industry sponsors and co-producers, MFG DAY is designed to amplify the voice of individual manufacturers and coordinate a collective chorus of manufacturers with common concerns and challenges. The rallying point for a growing mass movement, MFG DAY empowers manufacturers to come together to address their collective challenges so they can help their communities and future generations thrive.” 

Manufacturing Day is put together by these non-profit organizations: 

• The Fabricators & Manufacturers Association, International (FMA), a professional organization working to improve the metal forming and fabricating industry
• The National Association of Manufacturers (NAM), the nation’s largest industrial trade association, representing small and large manufacturers in every industrial sector and in all 50 states
• MEP, (Manufacturing Extension Partnerships, part of NIST, National Institute of Science and Technology) a network that works with small and mid-sized U.S. manufacturers to create and retain jobs
• The Manufacturing Institute, committed to delivering leading-edge information and services to the nation's manufacturers.

Today’s factory floor looks much different from thirty or even twenty years ago. Manufacturing Day is the ideal time to open doors and demonstrates what manufacturers make and how they make it. It is also an opportunity to show the kinds of jobs available and explain the skills and needed in qualified manufacturing employees. Ultriva supports MFG DAY and all the manufacturers and organizations involved.