If a Picture is Worth a Thousand Words …

Video is a powerful tool. Oftentimes, hearing someone say something can have a much stronger impact than reading it. Seeing expression and hearing emotion from the people speaking can actually make you feel something. And that is exactly what I have been experiencing this past year as I’ve worked on a few video projects with MMT’s parent company, Gardner Business Media (gardnerweb.com), and industrial photographer/videographer Creative Technology (creat.com).

Whether it has been a video about the industry as a whole, the technology used by the industry, the outstanding shops that make up this industry or the people employed by this industry, I’ve felt a sense of pride about what manufacturing means and how much it matters.

Currently, I am working on a video to promote careers in manufacturing—specifically mold manufacturing—that will be unveiled later this fall. Its goal is to enlighten, encourage and excite a new generation of mold designers, plastics engineers, mold builders, programmers, quality inspectors, processing technicians, project leaders and so much more. It also strives to educate parents, teachers and counselors on the wealth of career opportunities this segment of our economy offers. We will accomplish this by highlighting the specific job functions, technologies, processes and training that go into making one life-saving product that is used every day.

I am excited about the prospect of creating visual stories about the industry MMT covers every day—its value, its opportunities, its high technology, its culture and, of course, its people. Ah, the people—that is what makes this industry so great. People who have a sense of pride, a stellar work ethic, an interest in innovation, an eagerness to learn, and a commitment to family and community. 

It is in this spirit that I want to talk a little about Manufacturing Day, to be held October 3. On this day, U.S. manufacturers are encouraged to hold events in their facilities to draw attention to the many rewarding jobs in manufacturing fields. Such events can include open houses, public tours, workshops and more. 

According to its mission statement, MFG Day “addresses common misperceptions about manufacturing by giving manufacturers an opportunity to open their doors and show, in a coordinated effort, what manufacturing is—and what it isn’t. By working together during and after MFG Day, manufacturers will begin to address the skilled labor shortage they face.”

Sounds like we are on the same page. Check out the details at mfgday.com, and then let’s commit to making October Manufacturing Month.