Waukesha’s Catholic Memorial High School PLTW Students Design a Steering Wheel that Prevent Texting and Driving, and a Summertime Sled

May 17, 2014

Waukesha’s Catholic Memorial High School PLTW Students Design a Steering Wheel that Prevent Texting and Driving, and a Summertime Sled

2014, April 30, Barry Butters, Catholic Memorial High School, Competition, driving wheel innovation, Exhibit, Precision Plus, Project Lea The Way, Project Lead The Way, sled for summer, Waukesha, Waukesha Business Alliance Education Committee, Wisconsin

Michael Reader

On April 30, 2014, students from Catholic Memorial High School in Waukesha, Wisconsin showcased several engineering design and development projects which were completed as a result of their involvement with Project Lead The Way (PLTW) program.

Among the projects showcased, was a steering wheel that requires both hands to stay on at all times, so as to prevent texting while driving. Another project featured a sled that was adapted for summertime enjoyment. Barry Butters, Director of Education and Training at Precision Plus, had been invited to attend the exhibit by the Waukesha Business Alliance Education Committee, and he was thoroughly impressed with the design and products featured by the students.

In partnership with schools, Project Lead The Way promotes “pre-engineering courses for middle and high school students.” According to PLTW, there are currently 1.3 million engineering-related jobs that go unfulfilled due to the lack of qualified individuals. Courses from PLTW integrate STEM education—science, technology, education and math.

We congratulate the Catholic Memorial H.S. students whose ideas and designs are sure to rock several industries.

Company Updates

May 15, 2014

In The News: Precision Plus Open House Featured on Lake Geneva Regional News

article, Autodesk, classroom, Elkhorn, future, in the news, Lake Geneva Regional News, PartMaker, plans, Precision Plus Inc., students, Wisconsin

Michael Reader

On April 29, 2014, Precision Plus, inc. of Elkhorn, Wisconsin, welcomed guests to an open house to showcase its new training classroom featuring CAD and CAM software from PartMaker and Autodesk. The event was featured in an article by Chris Schultz on the Lake Geneva Regional News of May 8, 2014. The article describes Precision Plus’ journey from idea to reality, and future plans.

For a PDF copy of this article, please click here!

Educational Development

May 9, 2014

On May 8, 2014, WFAW-AM 940 Interviewed Mike Reader and Barry Butters on Precision Plus’ Educational Initiatives To Overcome the Manufacturing Skills Gap

Burry Butters, Elkhorn, initiatives, manufacturing., Michael Clish, Michael Rader, Mike Reader, PDF, podcast, Precision Plus, radio interview, state of the economy., WFAW, Wisconsin

Michael Reader

On Thursday, May 8, 2014, WFAW’s Morning Magazine radio host Michael Clish, interviewed Mike Reader, President of Precision Plus and Barry Butters, the company’s Director of Education.

The interview was centered on the current U.S. manufacturing skills gap and the tangible educational initiatives Precision Plus has put in motion to overcome the skills gap. You can listen to a podcast of the interview now.

Morning Magazine’s radio host Michael Clish, and Mike Reader, and Barry Butters of Precision Plus discussed the inroads that were made last year at the company. Precision Plus purposely cast its nets in all directions in an effort to attract local education institutions, fellow manufacturing companies, local and state, and U.S. government officials, and the best and brightest of young minds to join their internship program–all with a common goal and purpose: to overcome the current skills gap in manufacturing.

Listen to a podcast of this insightful conversation , or download a PDF transcript.

Industry News

April 30, 2014

Autodesk’s 2014 $250 MM Software Donation Benefits Every Single Middle and High School in the U.S.

2014, 250 million, all high schools in the U.S., Autodesk, concerted effort, Inc., manufacturing., Preplus, software donation, Wisconsin

Michael Reader

In an effort to prepare American high school students for careers in science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics (STEAM), and in conjunction with federal, educational and manufacturing initiatives, Autodesk’s president and chief executive officer Carl Bass, announced the company’s commitment to make available $250 million in 3D design software to all middle schools and high schools throughout the United States. According to a news release of February 4, 2014, Autodesk’s “Design the Future” program, not only makes the software available to the schools and students, but also empowers teachers with the instruction necessary to pass the knowledge on.

This combined effort by federal, state, and local government, educators, manufacturers and suppliers to the industry is in response to the lack of qualified high-school and university graduates available to fill essential positions in technology and art.

Precision Plus is proud to partner up with Autodesk in this nationwide endeavor by participating in the education and training of future technology leaders.

About Autodesk

Autodesk helps people imagine, design and create a better world. Everyone—from design professionals, engineers and architects to digital artists, students and hobbyists—uses Autodesk software to unlock their creativity and solve important challenges. For more information visit autodesk.com.

Company Updates

April 24, 2014

U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Visits Precision Plus On Thursday, April 24, 2014

2014, April 24, manufacturing initatives, manufacturing., plant tour, Precision Plus, support, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin, Wisconsin

Michael Reader

U.S. Senator (Wisconsin) Tammy Baldwin is scheduled to visit and take a plant tour of Precision Plus on Thursday, April 24, 2014 between 2:45 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. The tour will include a first-hand look of the advanced and high-tech machinery in action, the company’s Quality Lab and a brand-new training facility dedicated to train local high school students in engineering and high-skilled manufacturing careers.

In 2013, Senator Baldwin joined the ‘Manufacturing Jobs for America’ initiative. After the plant tour, Senator Baldwin plans to answer employee questions regarding the current state of affairs in Washington with regards to manufacturing. Precision Plus welcomes Senator Baldwin.

Senator Tammy Baldwin Visits Precision Plus -PDF

UPDATE: On April 24, 2014, Senator Tammy Baldwin visited Precision Plus Here is our own Steve Dues pointing out the features of one of our Tsugamis.

Community Involvement Company Updates

April 17, 2014

Precision Plus of Elkhorn, Wisconsin Receives Business Friends of Education Award from the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction

2014, Business Friends of Education Award, Countryview Veterinary Clinic, Cummins Emissions Solutions, Deputy State Superintendent Mike Thompson, education, GenMet, Lakeshore Health Care Alliance, Mike Reader, New Manufacturing Alliance, Precision Plus, Project SEARCH, Superintendent Tony Evers, WESTconsin Credit Union, Wisconsin, Wisconsin Departmet of Public Instruction

Michael Reader

On April 11, 2014, Mike Reader of Precision Plus , Inc. along with Amy Robinson of Country View Veterinary Clinic in Oregon, Denny Horn and Lisa Thompson of Cummins Emissions Solutions in Mineral Point, Eric Isbister of GenMet in Mequon, Lakeshore Health Care Alliance in Sheboygan, Mark Kaiser of NEW Manufacturing Alliance in Green Bay, Dr. Eileen Ahearn, Mary Mussey, and Richard Murphy of Project SEARCH in Madison, and Chuck Jerrick of WESTconsin Credit Union in Hudson, received the Business Friends of Education Award from Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction. This award recognizes the power of businesses that go beyond the call to help students graduate and be well prepared for future educational and career endeavors.

The awards were announced by Tony Evers, State Superintendent and were presented by Deputy State Superintendent Mike Thompson, during the annual Wisconsin Association for Career and Technical Education Professional Development Conference in Middleton. Mike Reader and other award recipients also participated in a panel discussion following the celebratory breakfast.

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“The collaborative partnerships fostered between industry and education play a key role in preparing Wisconsin students for the future,” said Evers. “These supportive relationships make a difference in student’s lives and strengthen our communities for years to come.”

Precision Plus is humbled to have received such honorable award.

Click here for a PDF of the official news release.

Company Updates

April 15, 2014

Precision Plus Training Classroom Open House Scheduled for Tuesday, April 29, 2014

2014, 840 Koopman Lane, April 29, Elkhorn, Open House, Precision Plus, Training Classroom, Welcome, Wisconsin

Michael Reader

Company Updates

April 10, 2014

Precision Plus In the News: Elkhorn’s Precision Plus Receives State Award

2014, accomplishments, April 10, Business Friends of Education Award, businesses working with students, Elkhorn, in the news, Mike Reader, Precision Plus, State Superintendent, WACTE, Wisconsin

Michael Reader

Lake Geneva Regional News has published an article about Precision Plus which has been chosen by the State of Wisconsin’s Department of Public Instruction to receive the 2014 “Business Friends of Education Award.” The article features a recount of the strides made in the last year to help educators and students in training and providing apprenticeships for technology careers.

For more information any any of the educational and training initiatives by Precision Plus, please contact Barry Butters, Director of Education at 262-743-1700 or via email.

Industry News

April 6, 2014

On March 26, 2014 PMPA Members Took On Capitol Hill

1st District, 2014, association, Congressman Paul Ryan, Government Affairs Committee, government regulations, March 26, members, Michael Kobylka, Mike Reader, PMPA, precision machined products, skills gap, tax reform, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, U.S. Congress, Washington D.C., Wisconsin

Michael Reader

On March 26, 2014, thirteen members of the PMPA’s (Precision Machined Products Association) Government Affairs Committee flew into Washington D.C. to discuss several industry key issues with members of the U.S. Congress.

Photo Courtesy of PMPA

These issues included:

Tax reform
Skills gap
EPA and OSHA regulations and NLRB rulings

The group was also able to conduct a PMPA Government Affairs Committee meeting and briefing at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce headquarters, which is located across the street from the White House.

Mike Reader, President of Precision Plus was among the delegation. In the image to the left, Mike and PMPA Executive Director Michael Kobylka stand before the Capitol.

On the image to the right, Mike Reader stands next Paul Ryan, U.S. Congressman representing Wisconsin’s 1st District.

Read the original report, “PMPA VOICES HEARD ON CAPITOL HILL” here.

Educational Development

April 2, 2014

Precision Plus in Elkhorn Announces Autodesk 3D CAD and PartMaker CAM Additions to Training Classroom

3D, Autodesk, CAD, CAM, classroom, donation, Elkhorn, manufacturing., PartMaker, Precision Plus, software, Wisconsin

Michael Reader

Precision Plus of Elkhorn, Wisconsin is pleased to announce the addition of eight seats of Product Design Suite Ultimate 3D CAD software ) as a donation from Autodesk, as well as eight seats of CAM software as a donation from PartMaker to their Training Classroom.

When Roger Orban, Territory Sales Executive–Manufacturing Solutions for Autodesk, visited Precision Plus in January of 2014, he saw the viable inroads being made by Precision Plus in an effort to close the manufacturing skills gap. So did Hanan Fishman, President of PartMaker, Inc. Then, something incredible happened: both companies committed to donating CAD and CAM software respectively, to support the active effort. Precision Plus’ goal is to provide courses on advanced machining to local high school students.

On behalf of the entire Precision Plus Team and the future manufacturing professionals who will come through the training class, Mike Reader, President, and Barry Butters, Director of Education and Training wish to thank PartMaker and Autodesk for their generous donation. The marriage of the 3D CAD (Computer Aided Drafting) software Inventor from Autodesk with the CAM (Computer Aided Manufacturing) software from PartMaker will allow students to learn the complete design process from print to product.

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Tag : Wisconsin