National Manufacturing Day: Siemens Celebrates American Manufacturing to Inspire the Next Generation of Workers

On National Manufacturing Day and throughout the month of October, Siemens, the global industrial manufacturing company, is celebrating American manufacturing with events around the country to drive awareness about advanced manufacturing and to inspire the next generation of American workers. Starting early this week, a billboard in Times Square marked the occasion by highlighting the software revolution that is transforming manufacturing and driving the digital economy.

Investing in the modernization of manufacturing infrastructure will allow the U.S. to capture a competitive edge, but the factories of the future won’t run themselves. By 2020, there will be a shortfall of nearly 10 million skilled workers in manufacturing-related industries in America, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. In addition to modernizing production facilities and broadly embracing digital manufacturing, there is an urgent need to invest in the future workforce. As part of Siemens’ ongoing efforts to address this challenge, the company is opening its facility doors - from locations in Pennsylvania to North Carolina to Kentucky and Florida - inviting elementary, middle, high school, and college students to see firsthand the types of jobs available in the new age of manufacturing. With more than 75 manufacturing sites across the country, Siemens invests more than $1 billion annually in research and development and more than $50 million in job training programs in the U.S. to advance innovation in the manufacturing and technology sectors.

“Manufacturing Day is a national opportunity to shine a bright light on the resurgence of manufacturing in the United States and to showcase the tremendous possibilities that come with a career in advanced manufacturing,” said Eric Spiegel, President and CEO of Siemens USA. “Students need to see that manufacturing jobs are now data-driven and software-driven – and that working in a digital factory is a pathway to a rewarding career. We look forward to welcoming students from across the country into our factories and facilities.”

Now in its fourth year, National Manufacturing Day is co-produced by the Fabricators & Manufacturers Association, International (FMA), the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM), the Manufacturing Institute (MI), the National Institute of Standards and Technology’s Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP), and guest producer Industrial Strength Marketing (ISM) to improve public perception of manufacturing in America. The effort is executed at the local level and supported by thousands of manufacturers as they host students, teachers, parents, job seekers and other local community members at open houses designed to showcase modern manufacturing technology and careers.

“We are confident that this grassroots movement is reaching deeper into the educational community, which is critical for the industry’s future. One of the most important things that Manufacturing Day can do is to introduce educators and America’s youth to manufacturing and the career opportunities it provides,” says Jennifer McNelly, president of The Manufacturing Institute.

Intelligent Manufacturing Solutions

American industry is in the midst of a digital renaissance. Gone are the days of back-breaking manual labor on the factory floor. Workers today use iPads and computer-aided design to develop the newest gas turbine or passenger rail train braking system. To be competitive in today’s industry, manufacturers must respond with significant reductions in their time to market, with massively improved flexibility to enable individualized mass production, all at reduced energy and resource consumption. Siemens has been at this intersection of the physical and virtual worlds for nearly a decade and was the first automation supplier to identify these key trends and tap digitalization, automation, and simulation as solutions.

Siemens provides innovative and environmentally friendly products, solutions and services for industrial customers enhancing their productivity, efficiency and flexibility. Siemens’ portfolio for industry includes end-to-end automation technology and industrial software, complete drive systems, and technology based services. Siemens also provides vertical market expertise in industries such as oil and gas, marine, food and beverage, chemical, mining and minerals, automotive, aerospace, pulp and paper, and water/wastewater.

Engaging the Next-Generation Workforce

Siemens will host a number of National Manufacturing Day events throughout the month of October, including:

• Elk Grove Daily Herald Business Ledger Newsmaker Forum, October 1 (Elk Grove, IL): The Forum looked at emerging trends that will affect 21st century manufacturing at home and around the globe. Steve Czajkowski, with Siemens Motion Control business, participated on the panel as Siemens has a local presence in the community with approximately 125 employees.
• Siemens Orlando, October 1 & 2 (Orlando, FL): Siemens is hosting college students from Central Florida for a 24-hour “DevJam” (Developer Jam) competition – with Siemens IT developers, architects and business analysts teaming up with students to develop innovative solutions for real-world challenges related to manufacturing. Participants have access to software and hardware – including devices and technology from Siemens’ innovation lab – throughout the competition. A panel of Siemens judges will evaluate the teams and present awards at the conclusion of the contest. Participating schools include the University of Central Florida, Rollins College, and the Florida Institute of Technology.
• Siemens Large Drive Manufacturing Facility, October 2 (New Kensington, PA): Siemens’ New Kensington facility will host students from the University of Pennsylvania enrolled in engineering to tour the plant and attend an interactive session with local management. Recently, New Kensington celebrated the 20th anniversary of the Perfect Harmony drive which was invented by Peter Hammond. During the celebration, the facility announced a scholarship in honor of Peter Hammond. The $40,000 scholarship will be awarded to an undergraduate student who has achieved outstanding academic success in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at University of Pittsburgh Swanson School of Engineering.
• Siemens and Okuma America, October 2 (Charlotte, NC): Siemens and Okuma America will host local high school students. The students will be given the opportunity to tour each facility and learn how CNC (computer numerical control) machining and modern manufacturing play important roles in a multitude of industries. At Siemens, Manufacturing Day participants will see first-hand the production of steam turbines, gas turbines, and generators while gaining a better understanding of the skills necessary to work in manufacturing today.
• Siemens Mobility & Governor’s Safety Award, October 2 (Marion, KY): Deputy Secretary Rocky Comito of the Kentucky Labor Cabinet presents Siemens and its Marion employees with the Governor’s Safety and Health Award. The award recognizes more than a million hours without a lost time incident at Siemens Marion rail automation manufacturing facility which recently underwent a $2 million expansion and has added nearly 100 jobs. Siemens engineers, manufactures and assembles rail signaling and automation products, such as grade crossing warning lights, bells and gates, for rail lines around the U.S. and worldwide at this 280-person facility. Complex control equipment required for train control systems, wayside signal systems and grade crossing warning systems are also assembled and wired at this site.
• Siemens GA400 Employee Appreciation Event, October 6 &7 (Alpharetta, GA): Siemens GA400 manufacturing facility, which develops and manufactures drive components that support major American industries, including rail, mining, and transportation, will host an employee event on October 6 to celebrate the hard work and dedication of its employees and manufacturing milestones at the location. The facility will also host the local Cumming Rotary Club for a plant tour.
• Siemens Motors Manufacturing Plant STEM Tour, October 9 (Norwood, OH): The Norwood facility which manufactures large motors, traction motors and motor parts used in industries such as rail systems, oil and gas, chemical, pulp and paper, mining and power generation, will host local students for a plant tour and presentation on manufacturing. The facility, originally built in 1898 is one of Siemens’ oldest manufacturing sites in the world will partner with Siemens Product Lifecycle Management Software business located in Milford, Ohio highlighting Siemens’ design software to students.
• Siemens West Chicago Control Products Facility Job Shadow Experience, October 12 (West Chicago, IL): The West Chicago facility which engineers, designs and manufactures motor control centers, switchboards and enclosed controls, will host high school students for a job shadow experience. The experience will provide insight into exciting careers in engineering and cover multiple engineering disciplines including order, development, electrical, mechanical, application, sales, and manufacturing engineering. The focus products will be electrical distribution equipment (motor control centers and switchboards). A tour of the manufacturing facility highlighting the interaction between engineering and manufacturing will be included. University of Illinois engineering alumni will participate in the event. Advice on resume building and interviewing, and what to do in college to have a strong resume after graduation, will also be covered during the event.
• Siemens’ Introduce a Girl to Engineering, October 14 (Elgin, IL): With more than 200 employees, the Siemens’ Elgin facility which manufactures mechanical drives, will host local female high school students for an evening of engineering exploration. The event will include hands-on STEM activities and a plant tour.
• Siemens Healthcare STEM Day, October 19 (Glasgow, DE): The Glasgow facility will host students from the University of Delaware enrolled in the Medical Technology program to showcase manufacturing within the healthcare diagnostics industry.
• Siemens Healthcare Schools to Career Event, October 21 (Walpole, MA): Siemens is working with the School to Careers Partnership to bring high school students in to its Walpole facility to showcase manufacturing career opportunities within healthcare diagnostics.
• The Siemens Science Discovery Day, October 27 (Memphis, TN): Siemens Building Technologies is working closely with the Shelby County School District to host its first-ever Science Discovery Day in an effort to inspire STEM interest in youth and promote awareness and readiness for jobs in science, engineering and manufacturing. More than 500 students are expected to take part in the Siemens Foundation Science Day program and view exhibits from groups including NASA, electric/hybrid automobile manufacturers Nissan and Honda, and local universities and community colleges.
• Siemens Fort Madison, October event (Fort Madison, IA): Siemens Fort Madison will host several events in connection with Manufacturing Day, starting with a visit on October 1 from members of the Keokuk High School robotics team, who will participate in an exchange of ideas with Siemens engineers and representatives from the factory’s process team. On October 28, Siemens will participate in the Lee County Economic Development Group’s Salute to Industry Summit 2015. And on October 29, students enrolled in Wind Technician and Wind Blade Repair programs at Cloud Community College in Kansas will learn about blade manufacturing through a tour of the Fort Madison factory and on-site classroom demonstrations.
• Siemens Healthcare, Early November (Flanders, NJ): The facility will open its doors to students for a student tour. Recently, Flanders held a ribbon cutting event celebrating the expansion of the facility. Employment at the site has grown from 450 before the project began to 550 today, with total employment expected to reach 900 over the next decade. Many will be highly-skilled, high-tech workers supporting both Research and Development and the design and assembly of Siemens diagnostic instruments. These workers will include mechanical, electrical, biomedical, process and quality engineers; assembly, laboratory and engineering technicians; assembly operators, supply chain and procurement specialists.

In addition to National Manufacturing Day events, Siemens continues to emphasize the importance of training today’s youth in STEM initiatives and providing hands-on training for college and university students with programs such as the Siemens Foundation, Siemens Cooperates with Education (SCE), Siemens Product Lifecycle Management Software business GO PLM academic program, and local partnerships with grade schools and colleges in the communities where Siemens has a manufacturing presence.

The SCE program recently reached a milestone of more than one million dollars of automation equipment provided to public educational institutions. In addition, since 2009, over 400 instructors have been trained at over 200 institutions. SCE partner schools include Georgia Tech, Auburn University, and Clemson University. For a full list of partners, visit the SCE Partner website.

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Siemens Corporation is a U.S. subsidiary of Siemens AG, a global technology powerhouse that has stood for engineering excellence, innovation, quality, reliability and internationality for more than 165 years. With 343,000 employees in more than 190 countries, Siemens reported worldwide revenue of approximately $98 billion in fiscal 2014. Siemens in the USA reported revenue of $22.2 billion, including $5.2 billion in exports, and employs approximately 50,000 people throughout all 50 states and Puerto Rico.

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