“Great things are done by a series of small things brought together.”
The making of goods by manual labor or by machinery (typically on a large scale),
has long been considered the lifeblood of the American economy. In fact, only fifty years ago, 1 in 4 Americans worked on the line. Flash forward to 2020, and approximately 1 in 25 working Americans hold a job in the manufacturing sector. Economists attribute this meteoric shift to a handful of reasons, many of them explained in this recent article shared via PBS.org. Even so, there are still ample jobs available, but seemingly fewer professionals with the necessary skills. Over the next decade alone, major U.S. manufacturers predict needing to fill 4.6 million vacant jobs.
Manufacturing Day aims to inspire and educate next generation
Recognizing a growing shortage in specialized laborers amidst a high volume of available jobs, the Manufacturing Institute and the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) launched Manufacturing Day (MFG Day). Held annually on the first Friday of October, MGF Day organizers encourage applicable companies and educational institutions to open their doors to students, parents, teachers and community leaders. In doing so, exposing the next generation of creators to the reality of the profession. More than just a series of special events, MFG Day is also a platform for industry insiders to advocate for improved access to education and job training opportunities.
Insulfoam understands the high-value and impact of American labor
And as the nation’s largest producer of block-molded expanded polystyrene (EPS), we at Insulfoam are privy to the powerful impact that U.S. manufacturing has on our local and national landscape.
Our recent project on U.S. 36, CO, is a perfect demonstration of what our factory line workers are capable of accomplishing. Operating within a tight deadline to repair a section of collapsed roadway, it was all hands-on deck to fabricate over 6,100 eight-foot blocks of material fill. Six multi-operational plants located throughout Colorado, Nebraska, Arizona, Florida, Washington and California rallied to meet this need. In just 20 days, our hardworking teams produced and coordinated logistics for over 200 truckloads of EPS geofoam to help Colorado’s Department of Transportation (CDOT) reopen the highway. During that narrow time frame, each plant remained fully operational, continuing to conduct regular business.
While unprecedented in scope, our U.S. 36 job is one of many Insulfoam projects that demonstrate the far-reaching impact that blue collar workers have on our country’s ability to function smoothly and continue moving forward. That is why we firmly believe it’s important to spark the next generation’s interest in a manufacturing career. If you’re interested in joining us in supporting MFG Day, please visit www.creatorswanted.org.
