Manufacturing Day 2014 Recap

Friday, October 3rd, 2014 marked the 3rd Annual National Manufacturing Day! The celebration was designed to expand knowledge about and improve the general public’s perception of manufacturing careers and the industry’s value to the U.S. economy.

Annual Made in New Jersey Event Recap:

NJMEP was proud to hold its annual Made in New Jersey Event which featured the NJBIZ / NJMEP Inaugural Manufacturing Awards. The event, which was held at The Palace in Somerset Park from 7:30am to 2:30pm, had a Building A 21st Century Manufacturing Economy theme and was attended by 400+ manufacturers and members of the business community.

Speeches Highlight Manufacturing’s Importance

Harold J. Wirths, Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Labor, provided our welcome address and discussed the wide range of skilled careers available in manufacturing. U.S. Senator Cory Booker served as our keynote speaker and discussed manufacturing’s positive impact on the U.S. economy.

    
U.S. Senator Cory Booker addresses the crowd

Left to right: Harold J. Wirths (Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Labor), Rob Stramara (NJMEP’s COO), U.S. Senator Cory Booker, John W. Kennedy (NJMEP’s CEO)

Panel Discussions

The event included three panel discussions on topics critical to improving NJ’s manufacturing community:

1. Workforce Development: finding, training and developing employees for the 21st Century
2. Logistics/Supply Chain
3. Innovations and Growth

Click here for the full agenda and list of moderators and panelists.

Networking Opportunities

The event dedicated time for manufacturers to network with other local businesses, connect with sponsors and vendors, and speak with current STEM students on career paths in manufacturing.

NJMEP’s Rob Stramara discusses career choices with attendees

NJBIZ / NJMEP Inaugural Manufacturing Award Winners

This year’s event featured the first-ever, NJBIZ / NJMEP Inaugural Manufacturing Awards! The awards program honored New Jersey companies for their outstanding accomplishments. Congratulations to all of the nominees and winners:

Manufacturer of the Year — Small (Up to 50 employees)
Desiron

Manufacturer of the Year — Medium (51-249 employees)
Strato Inc.

Manufacturer of the Year — Large (250+ employees)
Sandvik Coromant Company

Workforce Development
Eastern Millwork Inc.

Sustainability Award
EarthColor

Supply Chain Leadership Award
Westlock Controls

Next-Generation Leadership Award
Caonabo Delgado, manufacturing manager, Exothermic Molding Inc.

Bold New Strategy
Zytron Control Products Inc.

Growth, Innovation & Leadership Award
Jackie Daly Johnson, president, Beacon Converters Inc.

Raymond Hopp Award for Excellence
Presented to the Hopp family in memorial of Raymond Hopp, President / Owner of HK Metalcraft

Winners of the NJBIZ / NJMEP Inaugural Manufacturing Awards

NJ Manufacturers Host Events in Celebration of National Manufacturing Day

In addition to the event, approximately 50 NJ manufacturers from around the state hosted events such as open houses and tours at their facilities in the time leading up to, and shortly after, National Manufacturing Day. Many legislators, businesses and schooling institutions participated in these events, providing positive exposure for our industry. Click here to see a list of the events!

Thank you to everyone who made National Manufacturing Day a success for the Garden State!