Page 89 - MetalForming October 2016

Author Aaron Wiegel, president of Wiegel Tool Works, Inc.: “Let’s turn the tide and tell the market who we are and what we do, rather than allowing the market to tell us what they think we are.”
importantly, for suppliers like us, large OEMs are finding out that cheaper is not always better. These companies have begun to source their manufac- turing locally, bringing manufacturing jobs back to the United States.
As demand for manufacturing in
the United States grows, so does job creation. Basic economics will tell you that if demand outweighs supply, the value of the current supply will increase. We are seeing manufacturing jobs created without skilled labor to support the growth, and the skilled labor that does exist has experienced a sizable increase in compensation.
Further, referencing the letter to the editor again, I respectfully disagree that manufacturing does not offer career paths. Manufacturing creates wealth, and supplies value-added goods and services to markets through- out the world. Yet, as an industry we have done a horrendous job promoting careers in manufacturing. We have allowed people to hold a negative per- ception of careers in manufacturing, instead of dispelling myths by sharing truths.
With today’s global standards and expectations, we no longer are a “dirty, grungy, oily” operation. Manufacturers have adopted lean and 5S principals,
strived to achieve zero defects, and instilled continuous improvement in their culture, all while keeping safety the number-one priority. Manufactur- ing companies also work with advanced technologies such as robotics and auto- mated equipment that require highly skilled operators. In return, these employees now have secure careers. How then do we change the perception of manufacturing careers? Here are some ideas.
Network—Getting proactively involved in communities, schools and trade associations such as PMA, and similar local organizations, is the place to start. Not only am I the president of Wiegel Tool Works (WTW) and vice chairman of the Technology & Manu- facturing Association ( TMA), I also serve on the TMA Education Founda- tion, which works to promote careers in manufacturing in local high schools and colleges. Together we brainstorm ideas and form committees to help resolve the issues we all face. Network-
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