Last Friday, November 10th, S.C. Johnson CEO Fisk Johnson and the S.C. Johnson team hosted the historic signing of the Foxconn Technology Group contract, bringing a projected $10 billion investment, 20 million + square feet, and up to 13,000 high tech jobs to southeastern Wisconsin.
For the past several years, October has been proclaimed Manufacturing Month by the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM). To help promote their mission to change the outdated perceptions of American Manufacturing, NAM has encouraged manufactures all over the country to open their doors, hosting tours and events for community members of all ages. While it is targeted as the first Friday in October, we like to say, “Every day is Manufacturing Day for Precision Plus.”
This Saturday, November 11th, we recognize Veterans Day. Precision Plus is proud to employ veterans and support veteran organizations to thank them for their dedication to the values of honor, courage, and commitment. We are proud of and thank the following team members for their service:
The Coolest Thing Made in Wisconsin contest has become one of the most fun things about Manufacturing Month in Wisconsin. This year’s contest garnered nearly 200,000 votes — more than 10 times as many votes than WMC’s inaugural coolest thing contest, which crowned Harley-Davidson’s Milwaukee Eight Engine the winner last year.
It’s been a busy month as we recognize Manufacturing Month during October. Last week’s theme for Manufacturing Month was High-Tech Manufacturing. Our high-tech industry has changed – and is still changing – by leaps and bounds in the last 20 to 40 years. Still, business owners find the demand for skilled workers in our industry is on the rise. We also continue to fight that outdated perception of the dark, dirty factory. While we modernize our facilities, discover innovative processes, and create new positions, we also depend on our partnerships with local educators to help us find and instruct the talent that will become the next generation of manufacturers.
Earlier this year, Girl Scouts of the USA introduced several new badges related to STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) education. Girl Scouts now have the opportunity to earn badges by creating algorithms, designing robots and racecars, trying their hand at engineering, and more. It’s one of the Girl Scout organization’s biggest badge rollouts in years, and it should prove to be an instrumental program that encourages girls to learn new skills and encourage their interest in STEM and careers in manufacturing.
In celebration of Manufacturing Day (MFG Day) 2017, Precision Plus invites the community to attend an open house on Saturday, October 7th, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. This is a day to celebrate our industry, showcase modern manufacturing in action, promote career opportunities, and inspire the next generation of manufacturing professionals.
From left to right: Anthony Alagna, Nick Flock, Mike Reader, Cade Fink, Jack Flitcroft, Fred Ganter and Mark Beilman
This past spring, Mr. Fred Ganter of Elkhorn Area High School (EAHS), along with some of his SkillsUSA team members, made a presentation to Precision Plus requesting support to help them attend and compete at the National SkillsUSA competition June 19-23, in Louisville, Kentucky. Mike Reader committed to helping the team, and this week the group of high school seniors returned to accept the check, report back on the competition, and discuss their post-graduation goals. Also, to show their gratitude, the students presented Precision Plus with a branded cornhole game set they made in the recently upgraded EAHS Technical Education Department.
Summer – where has it gone, and how did I miss it?
It seems to me like we just celebrated Memorial Day, honoring our service men and woman. Now we are staring down at Labor Day, which confirms summer is officially over where I come from. Our interns have either left already, depending upon where they go to school, or will depart by the end of this week. We are sad to see them go after a great few months, but we wish them the best. Summer seems to go by in a blink of the eye. I hope you took the time during the warmer months to rest and relax and enjoy some fun with your loved ones. As we know all too well in the Midwest, WINTER IS COMING. While winter was fun as a kid, I do not enjoy it nearly as much in my adult years. Let’s hope fall sticks around long enough in between.
When Horton’s Home Lighting of Chicago lost their friend and co-worker, 31-year old Pamela Herts in 2001 to cancer, a determined group of friends started The H Foundation to raise money and find a cure for this terrible disease. Since its start, the organization has raised $7 million. All proceeds benefit Basic Science Cancer Research, which supports the early, novel ideas that in turn lead to additional grants. The money this group has raised together with the Robert H Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center at Northwestern University, so far, has resulted in over $35 million in additional research funding. However, until there is a cure to stop this disease that does horrible things to a person and their family, there is still much work to be done.
This is the 17th year that The H Foundation will host its annual Goombay Bash – a Caribbean-themed celebration of life to raise funding for cancer research. This year’s event takes place Saturday, July 29, at the Navy Pier Grand Ballroom in Chicago. The event has become one of the largest and liveliest cancer research fundraisers in Chicago. It’s a night of wonderful food and drink, raffles and auctions with amazing prizes, celebrity guests, and a fireworks finale. And, of course, it’s a night that we can all share the memories and celebrate the lives of those we have lost.
In memory of the late Kathleen Ann (Frederick) Reader, a nurturing woman of strong German and Irish heritage who was a wife, mother, grandmother, and friend, Precision Plus and the Reader family are proud supporters of the H Foundation. Mike & Patricia Reader have attended Goombay Bash every year since they were first invited in 2003, honored to join others like us who refuse to give up and fight as Kathleen taught us, until a cure is found. If you wish to purchase tickets, get involved, or learn more about The H Foundation and Goombay Bash, visit http://www.goombaybash.com.
The H Foundation and its supporters are united by the common goal of finding a cure. Together, we can make a difference in the fight against cancer.
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