MFG Day: Building the Manufacturing Community

Each year, the first Friday of October is MFG Day, and with it comes a series of events meant to explain the vital role manufacturing plays in our everyday lives: from the products we use to the communities we live in. Events include talks and tours of local manufacturer facilities—these events are vital to bringing in the next generation of manufacturers and showing the many opportunities for growth within the industry.

Before Technical Glass Products (TGP) opens the Snoqualmie and Perrysburg glazing fabrication facilities to parents, teachers and students for tours, Devin Bowman, General Manager of TGP, and Jenni Chase, Vice President of Workforce Development at National Glass Association (NGA), sat down to answer some questions about MFG Day, glazing manufacturing and what those new to the industry need to know.

Why is MFG Day important to the NGA?

Jenni Chase: One of NGA's core goals is to advance the glass industry as a viable, thriving career path. Events like MFG Day show students the breadth of jobs available in glass manufacturing and fabrication. There are so many opportunities under one roof: from product assembly to equipment operation and maintenance, to personnel management, product engineering and production optimization.

Finding skilled labor also remains among the top challenges that fabricators face, and we're continually looking for ways to help member companies solve that problem. MFG Day provides an opportunity to put future manufacturers in contact with established companies.

What have been the most significant changes in glass manufacturing over the last few years?

Jenni Chase: Glass manufacturing and fabrication processes continue to evolve to create larger, more sophisticated products. New equipment and technology have emerged that allow for increased automation, and with that automation comes the use of more software in plants. Many top fabricators now report using software across the plant for all production processes, as well as for shipping and logistics, project management and sales. 

What are the top 3 things the next generation of glazing manufacturers need to know before starting in the industry? 

Devin Bowman: As Jenni noted, glazing fabrication is increasingly using automation and other technology on both the non-rated and fire-rated glazing side of the process, so the next generation needs to know fabrication is not only an evolving industry but one that also incorporates advanced technology. Likewise, there are many career paths. As Hope Bostwick, who found TGP during a MFG Day event, states there are so many opportunities for growth and so many things to learn within glass fabrication.

Finally, manufacturing is a team effort. While at TGP we do incorporate state-of-the-art equipment, the best tool our fabricators bring to the process is communication and collaboration. Not only do different fabrication teams need to communicate across the floor, but also fabricators and engineers often need to collaborate to ensure an assembly reaches its full potential whether it is fire-rated door or steel-framed glass curtain wall.

What resources are available for people interested in manufacturing but unsure of where to start?

Jenni Chase: I would highly recommend the National Association of Manufacturers' "Creators Wanted" site. It is a great resource for learning about modern manufacturing, the types of jobs available and how to start exploring opportunities. And if the glass industry, in particular, is of interest, please reach out to the NGA workforce development team at myglassclass@glass.org. We can connect you to training and hiring resources.

How can parents, schools and companies get involved with MFG Day?

Devin Bowman: The MFG Day website has a map of events happening across the country, so that would be the first place to look. International companies, like Allegion, also host events all over the world and online. And finally, reaching out to local manufacturers to see if they want to participate can be a great avenue for those looking to start a MFG Day event.

Although MFG Day is officially one day of the year, manufacturers and their communities can celebrate whenever makes the most sense for them. The goal is to connect people with the industry, to show the breadth and depth of opportunities within manufacturing—and this can be achieved at any point in the year.