Manufacturing Day events planned in Steuben
Manufacturing Day events planned in Steuben
Posted: Saturday, September 27, 2014 11:00 pm
By Mike Marturello
ANGOLA — Events are being planned to observe National Manufacturing Day in Steuben County.
The official observance is Friday. One event, at Tenneco Automotive, is planned for the official observance. A county-wide event sponsored by the Steuben County Economic Development Corp. and the Steuben County Industrial Guild is planned for Oct. 10. Another event is planned at Triton Metals, Hamilton, on Oct. 30.
Each year, the National Association of Manufacturers sponsors Manufacturing Day — a nationwide day in which U.S. manufacturers open their doors to demonstrate the potential of modern manufacturing and foster interest in manufacturing careers.
Tenneco Automotive
One of Angola’s more tenured manufacturing firms, Tenneco Automotive is planning an event that will open its doors to the community to show off what it does and where its products end up.
“As a member of the NAM, Tenneco is a supporter of Manufacturing Day as a way to highlight the company’s positive contribution to the U.S. economy as well as the local communities where we operate,” said Jeff Perkins, Tenneco plant manager.
Tenneco’s event will be held on Oct. 3 from noon to 7 p.m. at its facility at 503 Weatherhead St.
There will be tours of the facility, children’s activities and drawings for prizes.
From noon to 4 p.m. there will be guided tours of the plant. From 4-7 p.m., people can take part in self-guided tours. The drawing will be held at 6:30 p.m.
Throughout the day there will be vehicles on display from Harold Chevrolet, Stoops and Fort Wayne Truck Center to show where Tenneco’s products end up after assembled by vehicle manufacturers.
Tenneco is one of the world’s leading designers, manufacturers and distributors of clean air and ride performance products and systems for the automotive, commercial truck and off-highway markets and the aftermarket, the company’s website said.
Steuben EDC, Industrial Guild
To create a greater awareness of the role of manufacturing in Steuben County, the SCEDC and Industrial Guild have teamed up to present a Made In Steuben Expo on Oct. 10 at Potawatomi Inn, Pokagon State Park. The event will be from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
“So far, we have about 15 manufacturing companies and three or four service providers committed to attending and exhibiting, and the list is growing. The event will be open to the public, with an emphasis of getting high school and college age people attending. The goal is not necessarily for individual exhibitors to sell their products, rather, to present and highlight career opportunities that exist within manufacturing in Steuben County,” said David Koenig, SCEDC’s executive director.
There will be activity sessions for students at 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. So far, the event is receiving strong support from local high schools, Koenig said.
“There are over 100 manufacturers in Steuben County but many people don’t realize the strong presence of that sector in our community,” Koenig said.
In addition to displays and information being presented by representatives of local companies, a reception will be held from 4-6 p.m. in hopes of attracting the general public to learn about what’s made in Steuben County. Food and beverages will be available.
Admission is free. There is a fee for companies that want to participate. Those who are interested in participating should call the SCEDC office at 665-6889.
Triton Metals
Triton Metals will host Manufacturing Day activities for students from Hamilton High School on Oct. 30 from 1:30-2:45 p.m. Events are also being planned for Hamilton town officials.
“During the school tour I explain the importance of manufacturing to the U.S. and global economies and contrary to popular belief, not everything is made in China,” said John Freudenberger, plant manager at Triton, 7790 S. Homestead Drive.
Freudenberger also discusses such things as how education relates to the various positions held at Triton.
“During the plant tour we let students experience actual manufacturing processes first hand by allowing them to weld parts, form parts in our press breaks and mill parts in our machine shop,” Freudenberger said.
One of the lessons that really tends to impress students is grading by Triton’s customers. Freudenberger said anything less than 99.82 percent parts per million meeting quality expectations is a failing grade.
