Manufacturing companies from across the country have pledged their participation in Manufacturing Day 2012 on Friday, 5 October 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 co-produced 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@mfgday.com. Planning is underway for Manufacturing Day 2013; interested companies and associations may inquire now to get a jumpstart preparing.