Manufacturing Day Gaining Momentum: More than 150 Manufacturers Participating

ROCKFORD, Ill., September 18, 2012 – Manufacturing companies from across the country have pledged their participation in Manufacturing Day 2012. The event will highlight the importance of manufacturing to the nation's economy and draw attention to the many rewarding high-skill jobs available in manufacturing fields.

Participating companies and partnering organizations will host open houses, public tours, career workshops and other events, with the goal of demonstrating to as many people as possible the important role manufacturing plays in local communities and at the national level.

The Manufacturing Day effort is coproduced by the Fabricators & Manufacturers Association, International (FMA), the U.S. Commerce Department's Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) and its branches in many states, the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM), and the Manufacturing Institute. It is supported by dozens of regional and national manufacturing associations and related businesses.

"Manufacturing plays a vital role in the economic health of the nation," said David Boulay, president of the Illinois Manufacturing Extension Center. "Manufacturing is an essential contributor to our nation's and our state's prosperity. It is imperative that we continue to get the message out about how manufacturing is changing. Careers in manufacturing are fundamentally different from a few decades ago; manufacturing work settings are also fundamentally different, all for the positive. The MEP system is here not only to help transform the state of manufacturing competitiveness, but also to help spread the word about the importance of manufacturing for our economy and as a career choice."

"It's encouraging to see how many manufacturers and manufacturing education providers have embraced this opportunity to open their doors and invite students and people from their community to visit," said Ed Youdell, president and CEO of the Fabricators & Manufacturers Association, International. "The wide range of participating company types and sizes provides a broad overview of the manufacturing sector."

More than 150 companies and educational facilities have already registered their participation at www.mfgday.com, but new participants are encouraged to pledge their support either through their own program, or by participating in a local public outreach effort. The sponsors also invite additional associations and organizations supporting the manufacturing industry to join the program.

To learn more about Manufacturing Day, log on to www.mfgday.com or call 888-394-4362. Organizations that wish to become involved as official sponsors of this program should call 888-394-4362 or email info [at] mfgday.com (info[at]mfgday[dot]com). Planning is underway for Manufacturing Day 2013; interested companies and associations may inquire now to get a jumpstart preparing.

Additional Contact:
patl [at] fmanet.org (Patricia Lee)
Director of Marketing
Fabricators & Manufacturers Association Intl.
815-227-8286

About the FMA
Based in Rockford, Ill., FMA is a professional organization with nearly 2,500 members working together to improve the metal processing, forming and fabricating industry. Founded in 1970, FMA brings metal fabricators and fabricating equipment manufacturers together through technology councils, educational programs, networking events and the FABTECH® tradeshow. FMA also has two technology affiliates, the Tube & Pipe Association, Intl. (TPA), which focuses on the unique needs of companies engaged in tube and pipe producing and fabricating; and the Green Manufacturer Network, a professional organization of individual members dedicated to working toward environmentally friendly manufacturing. Learn more at www.fmanet.org.

About NIST MEP
Headquartered in Gaithersburg, Md., the National Institute of Standards and Technology's Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership (NIST MEP) is a public/private partnership that works with small and mid-sized U.S. manufacturers to help them create and retain jobs, increase profits, save time and money, develop new customers, and expand into new markets. Founded in 1988, the nationwide network provides a variety of services, from innovation strategies to process improvements to green manufacturing. MEP field staff includes more than 1,400 technical experts located in every state. For every dollar of federal investment, the MEP generates around $30 in new sales growth ($3.6 billion in new sales annually). For every $1,570 of federal investment, MEP creates or retains one manufacturing job. Visit www.nist.gov/mep or call 1-800-MEP-4MFG for more information.

About NAM
The National Association of Manufacturers is the largest manufacturing association in the United States, representing manufacturers in every industrial sector and in all 50 states. Manufacturing has a presence in every single congressional district, providing good, high-paying jobs. For more information about NAM or to follow us on Shopfloor, Twitter and Facebook, visit www.nam.org.

About The Manufacturing Institute
The Manufacturing Institute (the Institute) is the 501(c)3 affiliate of the National Association of Manufacturers. As a non-partisan organization, the Institute is committed to delivering leading-edge information and services to the nation's manufacturers. The Institute focuses on developing human capital strategies through education reform and workforce development, conducting applied research to provide critical information to public policy makers on challenges and opportunities for today's industry, and advancing the innovation capacity of manufacturers operating in a global market. Visit www.themanufacturinginstitute.org.