Effingham County Manufacturing Day Thursday

Effingham County manufacturers are opening their doors to the community Thursday as part of the fourth 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.

10 area manufacturers will be hosting student tours Thursday morning and afternoon. They will also be conversing with students and other businesses during the Manufacturing Day Luncheon at the Effingham Knights of Columbus Building and even hosting open houses at their place of business Thursday 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 area high schools will be participating in the event. Each student will tour three manufacturing plants and join with businesspeople from across the county for lunch and further exposure to career opportunities in Effingham County. They will be able see even more facilities in the evening at Open Houses. Three manufacturers Waupaca Foundry, Stevens Industries, and Versatech will have Open Houses that will run from 4 to 6 p.m. The public is invited to participate. Tours will be repeated throughout the evening, so residents can attend as many of the open houses as they would like to.

During Manufacturing Day, organizers are asking students to post questions about manufacturing using #AskJoeMFG. The panel of manufacturing experts will answer the student questions at the lunch program. The expert Joes are: Joe Forbes, Co-Owner of Versatech, Joe Emmerich, President of John Boos, Joe Tillman, Division Chair of Technology of Lake Land College and Joe Schumacher, Plant Manager of Stevens Industries.

The Chamber invites the community to take part in the activities. The cost of the lunch is $15 and reservations can be made with the Chamber Office, 903 North Keller Drive, or by calling 217-342-4147.

Manufacturers participating in the event include Waupaca Foundry, Hodgson Mill, John Boos & Company, Kingery Printing Company, Mechanovent, Nova Solutions, Quad Graphics, Sherwin Williams Distribution Center, Stevens Industries and Versatech LLC.

Effingham County Manufacturing Day is being sponsored by The Effingham County Chamber of Commerce, The City of Effingham, The Effingham County Board, and The Effingham Regional Growth Alliance.

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.