Effingham County Manufacturing Day is Friday

Print

Published on September 28 2015 11:13 am
Last Updated on September 28 2015 4:35 pm
Written by Greg Sapp

Effingham County manufacturers are opening their doors to the community next Friday as part of the third annual Effingham County Manufacturing Day. This event sheds light on the misconception that manufacturing is a low-skilled, assembly line job when in reality modern manufacturing facilities are technologically advanced, utilizing automation, robotics and other state-of-the-art equipment to produce a variety of products shipped around the world. The Expo will run from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Eleven area manufacturers will be hosting student tours Friday morning, conversing with students and other businesses during the Manufacturers Expo and First Friday Luncheon at the Effingham Knights of Columbus building and even hosting open houses at their place of business Friday evening.

“The future of our community depends on the education and vocational opportunities that align with our manufacturers’ skilled labor needs”, Chamber President & CEO Norma Lansing. “By exposing our youth to the potential for satisfying careers right here in Effingham County, we are building the workforce of tomorrow.

“We are working together to ensure the ongoing prosperity of our region. There is an increasing demand for highly skilled professionals in the manufacturing sector who can design, program and operate technology” Lansing continued. “Effingham County is home to a wide variety of manufacturers and distributors who are providing jobs and contributing to our local economy.”

Over 300 students from several area high schools will be participating in the event. Each student will tour two manufacturing plants and then join with business people from across the county for lunch and further exposure to career opportunities in Effingham County. They will be able to interact with manufacturers participating in the Manufacturers Expo and can go to more facilities in the evening to gain exposure to the manufacturing climate in Effingham County.

The Chamber is combining its October First Friday Luncheon with Manufacturing Day and invites the community to take part in the activities. The cost of the lunch is $16 and reservations can be made with the Chamber Office, 903 North Keller Drive, or by calling 217-342-4147. Throughout the luncheon and expo, slides of participating Effingham County manufacturers will be available for viewing. The buffet luncheon will begin at 11 a.m and continue until 11:45 a.m. The reservation deadline is 5 p.m. Wednesday.

Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner will be visiting Manufacturing Day and will speak at the Chamber First Friday Luncheon at noon, following brief presentations at 11:45 a.m. by participating manufacturers.

Manufacturers participating in the event include Hitachi Metals Automotive Components, Hodgson Mill, John Boos & Company, Kingery Printing Company, Mechanovent, Nova Solutions, Quad Graphics, Sherwin Williams Distribution Center, Siemer Milling Company, Stevens Industries and Versatech LLC.

The open houses will run from 4 to 6 p.m. and are being hosted by Hitachi Metals, John Boos, Quad Graphics, Sherwin Williams, Stevens Industries and Versatech. The public is invited to participate. Tours will be repeated throughout the event so residents can attend as many of the open houses as they wish.

Effingham County Manufacturing Day is being sponsored by The City of Effingham, Effingham County Board, Effingham Regional Growth Alliance and Lake Land College.

For more information about Effingham County Manufacturing Day, visit www.effinghamcountychamber.com. Information about the national observance of Manufacturing Day can be found at www.mfgday.com.