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Manufacturing Matters! 2014: A Meeting of the Minds in Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Michael Reader

On Thursday, February 27, 2014, Wisconsin manufacturers representing various industries will meet at the Hyatt Hotel in Milwaukee to share in a day of learning, networking and celebration of manufacturing.  This annual event, entitled ‘Manufacturing Matters!’,  is an annual event organized by the Wisconsin Manufacturing Extension Partnership (WMEP), an organization which “enhances the success of Wisconsin’s small to mid-sized manufacturers by providing real-world knowledge in continuous improvement, business strategies and best practice.”

Click on the image on the right to watch a video welcome message from Mary Isbister, Co-Owner and President of GenMet.

Manufacturing Matters! 2014 will begin at 8:00 a.m. with opening remarks by Wisconsin’s Governor Walker and Buckley Brinkman, WMEP’s Executive Director.  Rich Meeusen, Chairman, President and CEO of Badger Meter, Inc. is the featured keynote speaker.

The late morning and early afternoon will offer several breakout sessions, featuring over 50 speakers who will talk about executive and operation hot topics, including:

  • Actionable Ideas for Operations
  • Continuous Improvement
  • Trends That Matter to Manufacturers
  • C-Suite Essentials
  • Crucial Financial and Legal Information
  •  Executive Policy and New State Incentives Update
  • Advanced Talent Management and Workforce Development, featuring the topic:  “The Skills Gap: Is It Real?”

Mike Reader, President of Precision Plus. will join Eric Isbister, Co-Owner and CEO of GenMet Corporation, and Mark Levine, Founding Director of the Center for Economic Development at the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee, as panelists to discuss the ‘Skills Gap’ subject.  Buckley Brinkman, Executive director of the WMPE will moderate this timely discussion.

Join Precision Plusand hundreds of other manufacturers at this great industry event.  For more information about Manufacturing Matters! 2014, click here.

Precision Plus’ President Mike Reader: Looking Back and Looking Forward

Michael Reader

It’s hard to believe 2013 is well behind us already, and March is right around the corner.  Now that the new year has arrived, I thought it would be a good time to thank everyone that helped make last year a success and, at the same time, lay out a few key initiatives for 2014.  Before I go into what lies ahead, let me recap a few of the highlights from last year.

2013 was a busy year with a new Precision Plus sales record and many new faces.  All told, we welcomed 18 new full-time employees to help us build for the future.

It all started in February while hosting a Manufacturing Career Panel at Elkhorn Area High School, where a number of fellow industry leaders joined me to share with these young adults all the great things going on in manufacturing.  March saw the launch of the Wisconsin Aerospace Consortium, which I am honored to serve.  In the spring, we implemented the newly-developed strategic plan where we restructured responsibilities to best align skills with roles, and set the foundation for an even better future.  June launched our first full-scale summer internship program with 10 bright young minds getting hands on experience in nearly every facet of our business.  And July saw the arrival of our Director of Education and Training, Barry Butters.  In the fall, we were all sad to see the summer interns go back to school, but we did get three new high school seniors starting a full year internship program.

2014 is already in full swing and aside from ‘Old Man Winter’ and the ever growing piles of snow, we are very busy and happy to be on track. We are putting the final touches on our new training room and must thank Hanan Fishman of PartMaker for the generous donation of 8 licenses of their CAM software.  PartMaker was here for advanced training the week for February 10th!  We are anxiously awaiting word from AutoDesk regarding a similar donation of Inventor 3D modeling software to allow us to train our team and possibly do the same as an extension of the Elkhorn Area High School this coming summer.

We are also excited to announce the Second Annual Manufacturing Career Panel at the Elkhorn Area High School, on February 26, 2014.  I am honored to be part of the panel to drive this effort forward with the school and our fellow business leaders.  Joining me will be Hanan Fishman of PartMaker, Mary Isbister of GenMet, and Brian White from GE-Energy Waukesha Gas Engines.  A day later,  I will be at the Wisconsin Manufacturing Matters Conference, being one of  three  panelists discussing the ‘Skills Gap’ and what we are doing to close it.   In March, we have scheduled the launch of Micronite software to enhance our Quality Management System in order to provide the production staff the best tools available.  Wow! That is only the first three months of the year, and I do not expect the pace to slow a bit.

Our success has not gone unnoticed and it is exciting to field calls from people looking to learn more about what we are doing.  Some wish to learn how they may join us in the effort to raise awareness of manufacturing, while others are looking to see how they or their children can be part of the internship program.  The last few years have reinforced the importance of our single greatest asset:  people.  So while our Vision is “To be the number one solution provider of machined components for our current and future partners,”  our Mission speaks loud and clear:  “To provide a profitable, secure future for team members by building a cultural foundation based on Integrity, Empowerment, Innovation, and Respect”.  These statements will guide us in all we do, as well as those who wish to join us on this journey.

Building Expansion Update

A year ago at this time, we were working with Magil Construction to design an addition to address both current and future expected growth.  Our goal was to also add dedicated classroom and lab space for training/education, addressing both our internal training needs as well as those of the area schools that do not have the resources to do so.

While keeping up with our customers’ accelerating demands, we were filling much of our machine capacity.  From that situation, one thing was clear: our single greatest constraint to growth is finding and hiring talented people.  So, we had to rethink our priorities:  Our real focus was two-fold:  first to wring every last ounce out of the equipment we have with as many hours per week possible; and second,  we needed to establish a skilled-workforce development process to ensure we have the strongest possible pipeline of talent for the future.  So, as we continue to refine the drawings and layout for the day we put the shovel in the ground, we must now focus our energies on the most important of all: human capital.

As a footnote, we want you to know that we reconfigured some space to have a real classroom for our interns as well as for special classes.

Equipment and Technology Update

Many of you might have read the announcement about our two new ‘Killer Bs!’  We welcomed two state of the art B-Axis machines from Tsugami to the production floor.  Counting these, we have reinvested nearly 11 million dollars in production and inspection equipment over the last six years.  We now have 27-CNC Swiss-type machines from 12mm to 38mm, 6-twin and triple turret CNC lathes to 2.5” diameter, while we remain committed to our 55 Tornos single spindle Swiss-cam machines.  While often overlooked with all the cool new technology, these vintage masterpieces of engineering remain production assets in the hands of skilled craftsmen/women.  Maintaining this skillset into the next generation will be our challenge.   We continue to evaluate new equipment platforms and will invest as needed.

Advocacy

On one hand, our industry has strived to make a difference; on the other, however, we have fallen short in getting involved in matters outside our own four walls.  Too often our energy focuses inward and we forget what is happening outside of the building. Whether it’d be to work in the community and/or with schools to raise awareness about the manufacturing industry, or to stand up as a voice for the industry, it is critical we come together and step forward to craft solutions, rather than remain content to let others do this for us.

This March 25th/26th, together with my industry colleagues, I will be in Washington, DC representing all U.S. manufacturers.  We will address matters such as: workforce development to address the skills gap, tax reform to stimulate investment for innovation and domestic manufacturing, and free trade with a level playing field.

Do you want to get involved?  Call me or email me! For too long, we’ve been in reactionary mode.  Now is the time to go into action and make a difference.

Keep up with our future.  We want to keep up with yours.  After all, they are one and the same.

Second Annual Manufacturing Career Panel To Be Held on February 26, 2014 at Elkhorn Area High School in Elkhorn, Wisconsin

Michael Reader


Elkhorn Area High School
in Partnership with Precision Plus,
Hosts The Second Annual Manufacturing Career Panel
Wednesday, February 26 – 1:00-2:30 p.m.
Elkhorn Area High School Auditorium

Did you know…

  •  The highest concentration of manufacturing jobs in the United States lies within a 90-mile radius of the city of Waukesha?
  • By the year 2020, there will be 123 million openings in manufacturing in the country with only 50 million people ready to fill those jobs and that currently, there are 1000’s of job openings in our own region?
  • The manufacturing industry pays a sustaining wage that is 20% higher than most other industries?
  • Manufacturers are getting behind training programs to help ensure they will have the skilled workforce they will need for the future?

The time to get the word out to young people about these facts and the awesome career opportunities and rewards that the manufacturing industry has to offer is now!

Please plan to join Elkhorn Area High School in partnership with Precision Plus, for the 2nd Annual Manufacturing Careers Panel comprised of industry experts who will share the opportunities and rewards a career in manufacturing has to offer.  Panelists will also lay out career paths for students or community members interested in engineering or manufacturing careers with an opportunity for the audience to ask questions at the end of the presentations.

The panel will take place on Wednesday, February 26, 2014, in the Elkhorn Area High School Auditorium from 1:00 p.m. until 2:30 p.m.

This year, we are pleased to welcome the following manufacturing experts:

  • Ms. Mary Isbister, President of GenMet, a metal fabricating business located in Mequon, WI
  • Mr. Hanan Fishman, President of PartMaker, Inc., a computer-aided manufacturing software developer
  • Mr. Brian White, President of GE’s Waukesha Gas Engines, manufacturer of natural gas engines, located in Waukesha, WI
  • Mr. Mike Reader, President of Precision Plus,  manufacturer of precision turned components, located in Elkhorn, WI

Mary Isbister is president of GenMet Corp., a 75-employee metal fabricating company located in Mequon, Wisconsin.  She, along with her husband purchased the business in 1999. Since that time, GenMet has quadrupled its revenue.  In addition, the business has become ISO Certified, undergone a lean transformation, and been awarded ‘Fabricator of the Year’ by the National Fabricators and Manufacturers Association.

Ms. Isbister’s civil service includes being named in 2010 to the U.S. Manufacturing Council, which reports to the U.S. Secretary of Commerce, where she currently serves as the Council’s Vice Chair.  She has been reappointed to serve an additional two-year term as a member of this advisory council.  In 2013, Ms. Isbister was appointed by Governor Walker as Chair of Wisconsin’s Council for Workforce Investment reporting to the Secretary of the Department of Workforce Development.

Ms. Isbister’s current civic participation includes service as a member of the Boards of Directors for a variety of non-profit organizations including:

  • Wisconsin Manufacturing Extension Partnership (Chair)
  • WUWM Community Advisory Board (Chair)
  • MMAC’s Council of Small Business Executives (Chair)
  • MMAC (Director)
  • M-7 Executive Partner (Small Business Representative)
  • FMA Precision Sheet Metal Council (Director)

In 2013 Ms. Isbister received the following awards:

  • An inaugural recipient of the Manufacturing Institute’s STEP (Science, Technology, Engineering and Production) Award
  • The Milwaukee Business Journal’s Women of Influence Award

Mr. Hanan Fishman is the President of PartMaker, Inc., a division of Delcam Advanced Manufacturing Solutions, the world’s largest specialist in computer aided manufacturing (CAM) software development.  PartMaker, Inc. pioneered the field of CAM software for Turn-Mills and Swiss-type lathes with its patented ‘Visual Programming Approach’ for programming multi-axis lathes with live tooling. It assures quicker learning and easier use. It makes an extensive use of pictures to help the user describe tools, part features, and machining data. Synchronization of tools working on multiple spindles is achieved by a few mouse clicks

Mr. Fishman is the co-author of two U.S. patents dealing with the subject of automating the programming of multi-axis CNC machines.  He is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania.

Mr. Brian White is president of GE’s Waukesha Gas Engines, part of GE Distributed Power, a world-leading provider of power generation, energy delivery and water processing technologies serving all areas of the energy industry, including wind, solar, biogas, alternative fuels, natural gas and nuclear energy.

In 2010, White joined Waukesha Gas Engines, which specializes in the design and manufacture of natural gas engines to drive compressors, generators, pumps, and other equipment. Previously, he was vice president of reengineering for Dresser, Waukesha’s parent company. At Dresser, he led the transition to a ‘lean thinking enterprise’ culture, established a strategic global sourcing and logistics group to drive cost savings, oversaw facilities consolidations, led a worldwide Oracle implementation, and introduced a goal deployment process.

He began his career as an apprentice at Caterpillar Tractor Co.  Later at Sperry Sun UK, he moved up from a design engineer to program manager through a series of successively responsible positions, ultimately being named vice president of manufacturing for Sperry Sun Drilling Services.

Mr. White has a bachelor’s of science in electrical and electronics engineering from Northumbria University, Newcastle, UK.

Mr. Michael Reader, President/Owner Precision Plus has spent the last 18 years working to advance the family-owned and operated business, which specializes in precision turned metal components.  Serving a diversified customer based–from aerospace to music instrument manufacturers and from Fortune 100 companies to small businesses–has allowed the company to experience tremendous growth over the years.  Reinvestment in people, training, and state-of-the-art equipment are all part of the foundation driving success for Precision Plus and their 60-team members.

Precision Plus understands an organization is only as good as their people. Facing an imminent shortage of highly skilled manufacturing professionals, Precision Plus became proactive in the efforts to attract the next generation of skilled machinists, engineers and support staff. Starting in the fall of 2012, Michael hosted faculty from the Elkhorn Area High School for plant tours and conversations regarding critical skills needed for today’s advanced manufacturing.  This led to a career panel presentation involving approximately 180 students in February of 2013, and then to 10 internships over the summer.  Precision Plus has continued its internship program throughout the school year and is preparing for the Second Annual Manufacturing Career Panel EAHS.

While deeply invested in workforce development efforts, Michael is also very active with the industry trade association PMPA (Precision Machined Products Association), where he is a former board member and currently sits on several different committees to advance the industry and association membership.

President Barack Obama Cites Wisconsin’s Efforts to Bring Manufacturing Jobs Back to the U.S. as a Model for the Rest of the Nation

Michael Reader

On January 30, 2014, President Barack Obama visited the GE-Energy Waukesha Gas Engines plant to celebrate the inroads made by Wisconsin manufacturing companies in designing and implementing training programs aimed to fill vast vacancies for highly skilled jobs.

GE-Energy Waukesha Gas Engines’ employee Reggie Troop, who introduced the President, represents the essence of the success of this program.  Once unemployed, Troop received training from the Wisconsin Regional Training Partnership (WRTP)/BIG-STEP, an organization which is “industry-led, worker-centered and community-focused.”  Their mission is “to enhance the ability of private sector organizations to recruit and develop a more diverse, qualified workforce in construction, manufacturing and emerging sectors of the regional economy.”

In a speech before hundreds of employees of the GE-Energy Plant, some of whom have gone through the training programs, President Obama laid out a multi-part plan to address filling jobs in manufacturing through training, and signed an executive order appointing Vice President Joe Biden to lead a review of worker training programs across all states.  Obama said, “The country can take a page from the Badger State’s book,” to show the Nation how worker training is essential for creating and filling more jobs. “It includes creating more manufacturing jobs, training more Americans with the skills to fill those jobs, and making sure the hard work pays off with good wages,” the President added.

Brian White, President of GE-Energy Waukesha Gas Engines and his team, have relentlessly worked to reverse the skills gap and create jobs.  In September of 2012, the company announced the hiring of 115 employees.  Brian’s career in manufacturing started in a shop, as an apprentice.  He was featured in a video by Dream It! Do It! Wisconsin titled “Upward Bound – Wisconsin Manufacturing Careers,”  which documented his journey.

In a January 31, 2014 article by Alison Bauter of the Milwaukee Business Journal, White was quoted referring to the working training at GE, “phenomenal.” “You’ve never seen that level of excitement before,” Brian White added, “ It’s like, ‘Oh, this is great! Finally, manufacturing is back alive in America. We’re not outsourcing jobs, we’re growing the businesses, bringing jobs in and training people.’”

Brian White will be part  of the Second Manufacturing Career Panel at Elkhart Area High School to be held on Wednesday, February 26, 2014.  Other panelists include Mary Isbister of GenMet (who was a VIP guest for the President’s visit), Hanan Fishman of PartMaker, and Mike Reader of Precision Plus

Speaking of the impending review of worker training programs across the U.S., Mike Reader added, “Any program that has been in existence for a number of years, may need a major overhaul. I can speak for all manufacturers when I say that we would be happy to have a seat at the table.  Talking about it is the easy part, implementing the right changes to drive success will take leadership and tenacity.  We would be happy to share ideas on a path forward.”

Beloit Memorial High School in Wisconsin at the Forefront of Technical Education

Michael Reader

On January 28, 2014, Barry Butters, Precision Plus’ Director of Education and Community Outreach and Mike Reader, President, presented a monetary contribution to Beloit Memorial High School’s Project Lead The Way (PLTW)’s Leader Tammy Spoerk, who teaches engineering and STEM classes at the school.

Both Mike Reader and Barry Butters were highly impressed with the Career and Technical Education (CTE) Program and Curriculum at Beloit Memorial High School, which has been under the tutelage of Ryan Rewey, Director of Career & Technical Education, since June of 2013.

Following a facility tour on January 7th, Barry Butters commended BMHS for their vision.  Mike Reader added, “Barry and I have toured a lot of educational facilities, high schools, tech colleges, universities, and this is—by far—the best (CNC) training facility we have seen, hands down.”

The video below features Precision Plus’ presentation, and a detailed recap of BMSH’s Career and Technical Education program’s endeavors to the school’s Board of Directors.

Click here to see a short version of Mike Reader’s and Barry Butters’ presentation.

Precision Plus is proud to support the efforts of Beloit Memorial High School’s teachers and students.

PMPA’s 2014 Management Update Conference to Take Place February 21-23, 2014 in Las Vegas

Michael Reader

For three intense days, members and industry colleagues of the PMPA (Precision Machined Products Association) will convene in Las Vegas, Nevada to attend their annual Management Update Conference, which begins on February 21, 2014 and will be held at the new Cosmopolitan Hotel.

This conference is not limited to PMPA members only, but it is open to the entire North American precision machined products industry. In an open letter to the industry, Conference Chairman Brad Smith, wrote:  “Management Update, which is widely considered the premiere management conference for our industry, has much to offer this year as you’ll see when you review the conference program.  The education sessions offer wonderful learning experiences, combined with daily networking opportunities where you’ll have time to pick the brains of leaders from the industry’s top companies.”

Some of the topics to be covered during this conference will be lifestyle motivation, customer service, marketing and sales, business development strategies, social media applications for manufacturers, improved communication with employees, accountability, laws affecting the industry, and the economic outlook for 2014.

Click here for more information.

Community Involvement is One of Precision Plus’s Pillars of Business Strength

Michael Reader

By Barry Butters

As a company, Precision Plus maintains multiple metrics to measure our progress. These metrics are generally comparisons of where we are today compared to where we were last year, last month, and perhaps even yesterday. As anyone who sets goals knows, it’s the process of always chasing the elusive next level that leads us forward. However, when the dust settles and there is that moment of clarity for the big picture, one asks, “Is there more to life than business?” The Reader family, who has owned Precision Plus Inc. since 1988, keeps that big picture in focus and has generously supported the local community and organizations that serve, protect and care for us in times of need.

“Contributing positively to our community and environment” is one tenant of the pillar of Integrity that Precision Plus has built into its business vision. The company gifts monies to a number of organizations that serve and protect: Elkhorn Fire Department, the National Fire Safety Council, and the Sharon American Legion. Adding to that list, Mike Reader is leading a campaign through the PMPA to support a group called “Workshop for Warriors,” which is a non-profit organization dedicated to training, certifying, and placing veterans in manufacturing careers.

Support from Precision Plus extends especially deep into the education community, adding financial support to its ongoing efforts to educate the area’s best and brightest students on careers in manufacturing. Among the organizations that have received this support:

  • The 4-H of Walworth County
  • The E-TECH Club of Elkhorn Area High School, a group of high school and middle school students who participate in First Robotics and promote Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) initiatives in the younger grades.
  • Beloit Memorial High School’s group, similar to E-TECH that is involved in establishing a local FIRST Robotics Community in the Beloit School District
  • Wisconsin Project Lead the Way (PLTW) –  Precision Plus was a lead sponsor for the PLTW State Teachers Conference held in Pewaukee on December 9th. At the conference, Wisconsin’s Lieutenant Governor Rebecca Kleefisch addressed the state’s PLTW teachers who are working in conjunction with the PLTW program through the Milwaukee School of Engineering to stimulate interest in careers in engineering in Wisconsin’s youth.

The Readers have also supported organizations that advance the treatment, prevention and search for a cure to cancer related illness. They generously support U.W Carbone Cancer Center and the H Foundation,  as well as the MCGMO Golf Outing for cancer prevention.

What is clear from these efforts is that Precision Plus pays attention to more than just its own bottom line. The Reader Family, the company, and its employees are committed to improving the metrics of the community.

 

Precision Plus on the Move: Barry Butters Visits Area Schools

Michael Reader

As part of the continuing effort to bring attention to the manufacturing industry as a viable career option for today’s youth, Barry Butters, Director of Education and Training, and other representatives from Precision Plus Inc. have been traveling to Wisconsin area high schools and technical colleges.

On November 1st, Butters spent the day at Burlington High School’s Career Day Fair.  The event allowed students to gather information from the booths of various prospective employers from a wide array of industries.

“It was evident from the discussions with the students, that there are still a number of misconceptions about manufacturing,” said Butters.

Butters then traveled three and a half hours to Eleva Strum High School on November 7th. Technology Education teacher Craig Cegielski, has developed an operational manufacturing company run by the students within the school. The Eleva Strum staff, students and community were filled with pride about what their program has accomplished to date.  Cegielski’s outstanding efforts bring real-life manufacturing experiences into his classroom.

Butters and Production Supervisor Charles Lankford, traveled to Blackhawk Technical College in Janesville on November 19th.  They took a tour of the CNC Machine Program facility and met with CNC Technician Instructor Rich Grossen.  The entire manufacturing program at Blackhawk will be moving to a new facility in nearby Milton in the near future. The Advanced Manufacturing Training Center at Milton will result in larger capabilities for the program.

On November 26th, both Barry Butters and Mike Reader, President of Precision Plus, traveled to Richmond-Burton High School to speak to an “Introduction to Business” class about the manufacturing industry.  Mike shared the challenges of running a manufacturing business in the current economy, and Barry focused his remarks on employability skills.

Subsequently, Butters traveled to East Troy High School on December 1st to speak to Mark Beilman’s “Introduction to Engineering” class about the manufacturing industry and specifically what is manufactured at Precision Plus Inc.  East Troy is a first-year Project Lead the Way (or PLTW) school with just one-course offering. Beilman shared that East Troy High School plans to add an additional PLTW course each year.  Precision Plus Inc. is a big supporter of the PLTW Program, which follows the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) Initiative to promote the field of engineering. The PLTW curriculum strives to provide experiences to stimulate interest in the manufacturing industry.

 

Reader and Butters attended the State Project Lead the Way Conference in Pewaukee on December 9th, for which Precision Plus is a “Friend of STEM” donor.  At the conference, Wisconsin’s Lieutenant Governor Rebecca Kleefisch addressed the state’s PLTW teachers, where she acknowledged the skills gap that companies, such as Precision Plus, are facing.  It was encouraging to see the sheer number of high school educators working in conjunction with the PLTW program through the Milwaukee School of Engineering to stimulate interest in the youth of Wisconsin toward this field.

On January 7th, Precision Plus representatives, President Mike Reader, Director of Sales and Engineering William Wells, Production Supervisor Tom Lankford, Director of Education, and Barry Butters, Director of Education and Training, traveled with Elkhorn’s District Administrator Jason Tadlock and Assistant Principal Dan Kiel to tour Beloit Memorial High School’s Technical Education facility. What has been accomplished at this facility in a short period of time is remarkable. Steve McNeal, Beloit’s District Administrator, said it was truly a partnership between the school and local industry leaders.  Beloit Memorial High School has also hired Ryan Rewey to be the Technology Education Coordinator to ensure the program’s success.

Butters again traveled back to Beloit Memorial High School to speak to PLTW teacher Tammy Spoerk’s classes on January 10th.  Butters message centered on the potential for a great career in the manufacturing industry and specifically, what is manufactured at Precision Plus

Butters went back to East Troy High School to speak at their Career Day on January 14th. He and fellow manufacturer Jerry Heckel from Heckel Tool & Manufacturing Corporation gave a presentation to 40 students on the skill-set needed to join the manufacturing industry, including problem-solving skills, a significant background in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, as well as experience in traditional metals classes.

Butters plans to visit Delavan-Darien High School and Woodstock High School in the near future.  Mike Reader is committed to the cause of re-introducing the manufacturing industry to the next generation of professionals, dispelling the misconception that manufacturing is a dirty and dangerous profession. Precision Plus Inc. invites any individual or group interested in learning more about the manufacturing industry to their facility for an informational tour.  Furthermore, Barry Butters and Mike Reader will travel to speak to any group interested in learning about the manufacturing industry.  Feel free to contact them with any requests at 262.743.1700 or via email: Barry ButtersMike Reader.

 

Precision Plus Interns are Featured on Geneva Lake West News

Michael Reader

Precision Plus interns Britt Campbell, Markus Gudel, Eric Bain, Martin Korsholm,  and Brad Killen were featured on a recent issue of the Geneva Lake West News in two articles, which were published on January 9th.

On “Manufacturer confronts worker shortage,” LGWN’s Chris Schultz interviews Mike Reader and Barry Butters to report on the state of the manufacturing industry, and the shortage of skilled personnel to fill jobs, preventing companies such as Precision Plus from expanding. Precision Plus is taking a very active role in reversing the trend, and has established internship programs for high-school and college students, while expanding on educational and in-house training programs.  The article features some of the interns from Precision Plus’ pilot summer program, and follows their progress within the industry.

On “Badger benefits from Precision internship,” Chris Schultz chats with Britt Campbell of Badger H.S., who also races a Mazda Miata race car.

In both instances, the emphasis is on educational proactivity to empower the manufacturing industry.

Precision Plus Spotlighted During the Project Lead The Way’s Wisconsin Professional Development Conference

Michael Reader

Project Lead The Way (PLTW) is much more than a slogan to companies involved in trying to find new talent.  It exemplifies one of the premier programs in providing educational curricular programs to schools across the United States with over 5,000 schools nationwide participating in the movement.

PLTW’s focus is on science is on STEM–technology, engineering, and mathematics. STEM education is at the heart of today’s high-tech, high-skill global economy.  In a typical year, over 3,000 high-school and middle-school teachers and counselors are trained through the PLTW programs, and PLTW-Wisconsin ranks second among all states, with over 60 new Wisconsin schools joining PLTW in 2013.

Precision Plus helped sponsor the 2013 PLTW – Wisconsin Professional Development Conference held at the Country Springs Hotel and Convention Center on December 9th & 10th .  President Mike Reader, and Director of Education and Outreach, Barry Butters were in attendance for the opening night dinner and keynote speech by Lieutenant Governor, Rebecca Kleefisch.

Not only did Mike and Barry find themselves at the same dinner table as the Lt. Governor and Milwaukee School of Engineering President, Dr. Hermann Viets, but were both deeply humbled to hear the Precision Plus name prominently mentioned in the keynote address, with reference to setting the foundations for economic development in our State.

Specifically, Lt. Governor Kleefisch referred to the ongoing efforts of Precision Plus in helping with education and training efforts throughout the community.  Internships, participation in the Wisconsin Aerospace Consortium, activities for Wisconsin Manufacturing Day, and an active role with local school programs have all helped to put the company at the forefront of developing the next generation of manufacturers.

Precision Plus supports  PLTW Wisconsin and works with the organization to bring STEM to the front burner. The Lt. Governor’s comments reiterated the values for which Precision Plus stands.  Two of our pillars of business are ‘Integrity and Empowerment.’ Being a valuable member of the community is one of the values of our ‘Pillar of Integrity.’  Providing training opportunities to our current and future employees, fuels our ‘Pillar of Empowerment.’

In as much as we are thankful for the recognition, we know that our efforts to bring manufacturing back to the United States are just at the beginning stages.

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