November 28, 2023 by SME The first Friday in October of each year is traditionally recognized as Manufacturing Day. In 2023, SME made the entire month of October a celebration of manufacturing. That’s because it’s our mission to advance manufacturing by accelerating technology adoption and building North America’s talent and capabilities. Here’s a look at some of the activities we sponsored on an organizational level; some our chapter network conducted locally: Wayne County Manufacturing Day 2023 Held at various Wayne County manufacturing facilities and college campuses on Oct. 5th, these events that were exclusive to high-school students helped the county and its manufacturing base expose students to a variety of manufacturing careers, provide student tours to manufacturing facilities, and offer education on manufacturing training programs. SME served as a Prototype sponsor and actively participated onsite. The Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation:Manufacturing Day This world-renowned museum and educational experience provided more than 800 students access to the museum and a specially crafted educational program on Oct. 5th and 6th. The program included opportunities to speak with engineers and skilled tradespeople from Ford about career possibilities, discuss and demonstrate the company’s Ford Model e electric vehicles, provide live demonstrations of power using a Ford F-150 Raptor, and experience 3D printing up close and personal. Troy High School SME PRIME School Launch Event This event, which was open to students and guests, was the official launch of Troy High School’s SME PRIME program. Troy High School was one of 16 Michigan schools selected for the SME PRIME program in 2021 as part of a $6 million appropriation by the state of Michigan. PRIME classes began at Troy High School at the start of the 2023-24 school year. After hearing from several speakers from industry, academia, and Michigan government, a tour of the classrooms followed. The SME Education Foundation, which conducts the SME PRIME program as its signature program, also announced that the Michigan legislature recently approved funding for 16 additional SME PRIME schools in Michigan, which will bring the total to 49. Local Chapters Celebrating MFG Day In addition to the SME organizational activities conducted during Manufacturing Day and Manufacturing Month, SME’s professional and student chapters sponsored a significant number of local activities designed to educate the public and give them a first-hand look at career opportunities. Following are five events that helped the public understand the benefits of working in manufacturing: Oregon State University’s SME Student Chapter S019 organized a Manufacturing Day event that marked a departure from previous editions. Instead of the traditional tour of the OSU Advanced Technology and Manufacturing Institute (ATAMI), the focus shifted to a dynamic tabling session. Collaborating with industry giants such as Georgia Pacific, HP, ENTEK, ATI, Micro Systems Engineering, Concept Systems, and MECOP, students from various engineering disciplines engaged with companies to explore career opportunities and operations. The event also featured poster presentations by graduate students conducting advanced manufacturing research, a networking session with lunch, and introductions from SME chapter members and industry professionals, fostering valuable connections and attracting over 65 student participants. The success was celebrated with a LinkedIn post appreciating all contributors. Texas A&M University's SME Chapter 099 orchestrated a dynamic three-day celebration for Manufacturing Day. On October 14th, Officers Ben Smith and Michael Nielsen led 20 students through part 1 of the Americas Cutting Edge (ACE) training on CAD to CAM, delving into machining aspects in a lecture-style classroom setting. The students are set to complete the hands-on portion at the Facility of Advanced Manufacturing (FAM) in December. On October 20th, the chapter hosted Lockheed Martin for a lunch talk, attracting 40 students to learn about the company's culture and opportunities. President Colton Lee, a current manufacturing engineering co-op, shared insights into his role. Lastly, on October 27th, SME Chapter 099 officers engaged with students at Houston Community College Stafford campus, showcasing the world of manufacturing and exchanging experiences with the University of Houston SME Officers. The events aimed to inform, inspire, and connect students with the diverse facets of manufacturing. The Dallas Chapter SME Chapter 51 held a meaningful Manufacturing Day celebration at the open house of Hexagon on October 26, 2023. Chapter board members and members gathered to witness a demonstration of Hexagon's capabilities in supporting manufacturers. The event, coordinated by Chapter Chair Brian Rhodes in collaboration with Eric Evens from Hexagon, provided valuable insights into cutting-edge technologies and solutions for the manufacturing industry. Greenville-Spartanburg No. 164 Chapter hosted an event in celebration of Manufacturing Day with an insightful plant tour of Bosch USA Anderson facility, delving into the intricacies of their operations. AB Young and Hannah Bright played crucial roles in organizing and facilitating the event, with gratitude extended to Patty Stamey, Bill Reno, and Angela Kimball. Attendees were particularly impressed by Bosch's emphasis on talent, notably recognizing Manufacturing Engineering and Data Scientist as key positions, marking a noteworthy acknowledgment of the evolving landscape within the manufacturing sector. California State University, Fullerton S282 celebrated the resounding success of Titan Manufacturing Day 2023, an event that highlighted the future of modern manufacturing and its impact on the community. Centered around the theme of "GreenTech Manufacturing," the event emphasized sustainability and innovation in the industry. With approximately 450 attendees, including students, educators, and industry professionals, the day featured activities such as an industry speaker series, diverse workshops, and a GreenTech Manufacturing Student Innovation Showcase, showcasing prototypes addressing environmental challenges. Generous sponsorship from the Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME) Student Relations Committee contributed to the event's success, providing funding for lunch, and facilitating valuable networking opportunities between participants and industry professionals. SME Waterloo Iowa Chapter 186 held a Dinner & Learn session with newly appointed SME Student Chapter 126 officers at the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls. Student chapter advisor Krishna Vuppala, who on the national level also serves as a member of SME’s Member Council, said the training meeting was a great way to wrap up Manufacturing Month. Webinars and Shop Talk Sessions Webinar: Empowering Diversity – Tackling Labor Shortages in Manufacturing Held on Manufacturing Day, “Empowering Diversity – Tackling Labor Shortages in Manufacturing,” was a remarkable conversation that featured a dynamic panel, including Drew Crowe, a passionate advocate with a remarkable journey, Dajon Battle, an expert in workforce development promoting diversity and inclusion, Meghan Ziemba, a technical writer and champion for women in manufacturing, and Jamie Goettler, a leader in industrial distribution focusing on technology for competitiveness. Shop Talk: Finding Your Place in the Manufacturing Industry Conducted on Oct. 11th, the "Shop Talk: Finding Your Place in the Manufacturing Industry" event was an inspiring journey through the diverse realms of manufacturing. With a dynamic panel featuring industry experts like Lucie Yeomans, Zach Loeb, Jacob Sanchez, and Christie Hasbrouck, attendees gained valuable insights. Jacob Sanchez's tale of stumbling into an engineering class and discovering his passion for manufacturing resonated with those seeking unexpected career paths, while Zach Loeb's dedication to environmental sustainability showcased the importance of eco-conscious manufacturing. Shop Talk: Growing a Career and Defining Opportunities in Manufacturing On Oct. 18th, SME Membership offered "Shop Talk: Growing a Career and Defining Opportunities in Manufacturing," a program that featured a diverse panel of experts, including Dr. Danielle P. Hilliard, George Coles, Kameron Stevenson, Marion Wells, and Chad E. Chmura, who shared invaluable insights. Attendees gained a deep understanding of the ever-evolving field of manufacturing and the skills required for success in changing work environments. The program emphasized the importance of diversity and attracting talent, with a particular focus on career progression. Shop Talk: Breaking the Stereotype: Exploring the Contributions of Women in Industry The October 25th Manufacturing Month “Shop Talk: Breaking the Stereotype: Exploring the Contributions of Women in Industry," featured a diverse panel including Jane Christyson, Fallon Pulley, Bryan Kuhr, and Shonali Ditz. The discussion delved into pivotal career moments, actionable steps for overcoming gender-related challenges, crucial leadership skills for women in manufacturing, successful initiatives for encouraging women in the industry, anticipated changes in the manufacturing sector, and innovative practices for diversity and inclusion.
