MANUFACTURING MATTERS - swvam.org...The Southwest Virginia Alliance for Manufacturing 851 French...

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MANUFACTURING MATTERS A newsletter of The Southwest Virginia Alliance for Manufacturing IN THIS ISSUE: Manufacturers’ Awards Banquet Manufacture Your Career Manufacturing Tours Edge Grant Funding FMLA Lunch & Learn Career Fair SVAM COE UPDATES: Pathways Welding Experience SCHEV Recertification Substance Abuse Listening Session Heart Project Update Upcoming Trainings Member Listing Volume 5 Issue 4 October - December 2018 Manufacturers’ Awards Banquet The Southwest Virginia Alliance for Manufacturing hosted its sixth annual Manufacturers’ Awards Banquet in connection with National Manufacturing Day on Thursday, October 4th. Over one hundred and fifty business, government and community leaders from all across Southwest Virginia gathered at the Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center to celebrate manufacturing and its achievements over the past year. This year SVAM invited Bill Donohue, President of GENEDGE, to join us for the evening as our keynote speaker. Mr. Donohue’s address was entitled “Industry 4.0 – How to Digitally Transform Your Business.” He discussed the nine digital technologies that make up Industry 4.0 including: advanced robotics, additive manufacturing, augmented reality, simulation, horizontal/vertical integration, industrial internet, the cloud, cyber security, and big data and analytics. Mr. Donohue talked about the current applications of each of these topics and how they could be utilized in the future. The focal point of the dinner was to recognize outstanding accomplishments of Southwest Virginia manufacturers – providing recognition to their success and the various ways they positively impact the community. Six manufacturers from all across Southwest Virginia received awards. The Environmental Excellence Award was presented to Universal Fibers of Bristol, Virginia. The Excellence in Safety Award was presented to Tempur Sealy of Duffield, Virginia. The Community Impact Award was presented to Universal Fibers of Bristol, Virginia. The Innovations in Manufacturing Award was presented to Electro- Mechanical Corporation of Bristol, Virginia. The Manufacturer of the Year Award was presented to Scholle IPN Packaging of Chilhowie, Virginia. This year a new community-nominated award was added. The Community Choice Award was presented to Utility Trailer of Atkins, Virginia. Information about each award winner can be found at www.swvam.org/2018-manufacturing-awards. Quadrant Engineering Plastic Products, located in Wytheville, Virginia graciously donated logo-imprinted tote bags to serve as favors for the dinner. SVAM would like to thank its sponsors for this event: The Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center, Virginia Economic Development Partnership, United Way of Southwest Virginia, The Manufacturing Technology Center, Neikirk Photography, GENEDGE, SWCC Procurement Technical Assistance Center, The New River/Mount Rogers Workforce Development Board, and The Southwestern Virginia Technology Council.

Transcript of MANUFACTURING MATTERS - swvam.org...The Southwest Virginia Alliance for Manufacturing 851 French...

MANUFACTURING MATTERSA newsletter of The Southwest Virginia Alliance for Manufacturing

IN THIS ISSUE:Manufacturers’ Awards Banquet

Manufacture Your Career

Manufacturing Tours

Edge Grant Funding

FMLA Lunch & Learn

Career Fair

SVAM COE UPDATES:

Pathways Welding Experience

SCHEV Recertification

Substance Abuse Listening Session

Heart Project Update

Upcoming Trainings

Member Listing

Volume 5 Issue 4 October - December 2018

Manufacturers’ Awards BanquetThe Southwest Virginia Alliance for Manufacturing hosted its sixth annual Manufacturers’ Awards Banquet in connection with National Manufacturing Day on Thursday, October 4th. Over one hundred and fifty business, government and community leaders from all across Southwest Virginia gathered at the Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center to celebrate manufacturing and its achievements over the past year.

This year SVAM invited Bill Donohue, President of GENEDGE, to join us for the evening as our keynote speaker. Mr. Donohue’s address was entitled “Industry 4.0 – How to Digitally Transform Your Business.” He discussed the nine digital technologies that make up Industry 4.0 including: advanced robotics, additive manufacturing, augmented reality, simulation, horizontal/vertical integration, industrial internet, the cloud, cyber security, and big data and analytics. Mr. Donohue talked about the current applications of each of these topics and how they could be utilized in the future.

The focal point of the dinner was to recognize outstanding accomplishments of Southwest Virginia manufacturers – providing recognition to their success and the various ways they positively impact the community. Six manufacturers from all across Southwest Virginia received awards. The Environmental Excellence Award was presented to Universal Fibers of Bristol, Virginia. The Excellence in Safety Award was presented to Tempur Sealy of Duffield, Virginia. The Community Impact Award was presented to Universal Fibers of Bristol, Virginia. The Innovations in Manufacturing Award was presented to Electro-Mechanical Corporation of Bristol, Virginia. The Manufacturer of the Year Award was presented to Scholle IPN Packaging of Chilhowie, Virginia. This year a new community-nominated award was added. The Community Choice Award was presented to Utility Trailer of Atkins, Virginia. Information about each award winner can be found at www.swvam.org/2018-manufacturing-awards.

Quadrant Engineering Plastic Products, located in Wytheville, Virginia graciously donated logo-imprinted tote bags to serve as favors for the dinner.

SVAM would like to thank its sponsors for this event: The Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center, Virginia Economic Development Partnership, United Way of Southwest Virginia, The Manufacturing Technology Center, Neikirk Photography, GENEDGE, SWCC Procurement Technical Assistance Center, The New River/Mount Rogers Workforce Development Board, and The Southwestern Virginia Technology Council.

SVAM GOALS:

The Southwest Virginia Alliance for Manufacturing operates under the following three goals which guide programming and initiatives to support the sustainment and advancement of manufacturing in the region:

To establish and promote the regional collaborations in support of manufacturing and manufacturing careers as part of an economic development initiative.

To redefine the image of manufacturing with young people and their parents, their educators, the community and policy makers in a manner that increases the number of young adults and other members of the workforce who pursue manufacturing careers.

To close the skills gap for regional manufacturers by aligning educational and workforce training resources with the most pressing demands of area industry.

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MANUFACTURING MATTERS UPDATES FROM THE SVAM CENTER OF EXCELLENCE

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Manufacture Your Career Panel Discussion

SVAM Coordinates Manufacturing Tours in Support of Manufacturing Day

SVAM Received EDGE Grant Funding in Support of #MadeinSWVA

SVAM and King University organized a Manufacture Your Career event held on October 15th, 2018. This event focused around a panel discussion highlighting the manufacturing sector and the career paths it offers. Panelists discussed multiple topics including pay and benefits, facility safety, common misconceptions, employer desired soft skills, and different job opportunities. Students took the opportunity to ask the panel members interesting and insightful questions about manufacturing. Students networked with the panelists at the end of the event, discussing job opportunities, internships and asking further questions. The event was a terrific opportunity for local manufacturers to interact with possible

future employees. The 108 people in attendance of the event represented a variety of college majors.The panelists for this event included: Shannon Sizemore, AMNO South Regional OpEx Leader at Komatsu; Melinda Roberts, Human Resources Manager at Scholle IPN Packaging; Mark Hill, Design Engineer at Samuel Pressure Vessel Group; Dedra Helbert, General Manager of Human Resources & General Affairs at Tadano Mantis Corporation; and Eric Miller, President and Owner of Wolf Hills Fabricators, LLC.

The Southwest Virginia Alliance for Manufacturing recently received a $10,000 EDGE Grant from Appalachian Power. SVAM was one of more than 20 government and nonprofit organizations who recently received grant funding from Appalachian Power in support of programs and initiatives that attract industry and encourage business expansion. The funding is part of the company’s ongoing effort to promote local economic development in the company’s three-state service area. SVAM will use the funds to purchase two-way radio headsets that can be used to enhance manufacturing tours and to purchase additional equipment to improve the quality of #MadeinSWVA manufacturing videos.

Manufacturing Day is a celebration of modern manufacturing meant to inspire the next generation and increase the number of individuals pursuing careers in manufacturing. It occurs on the first Friday in October every year and is celebrated all month long. Throughout the months of October and November, about 60 students and their teachers from around the region were invited to tour Southwest Virginia manufacturing facilities to gain a better understanding of the companies providing exciting career opportunities in their own backyard. Facilities toured included Tempur Sealy, Komatsu, Mayville Engineering Company, and Samuel Pressure Vessel Group. We greatly appreciate our manufacturers for their hospitality and enthusiasm to educate young people about manufacturing careers. Additional tours, as part of an extended celebration, are being coordinated for the Spring.

FMLA Lunch and LearnOn October 23rd SVAM hosted a Lunch & Learn led by Catherine Karczmarczyk and Ramesh Murthy of PennStuart, entitled “FMLA: What Every HR Manager Needs to Know.” This training covered the basics of FMLA, common questions, and missteps to avoid. You can view a blog covering this training at SVAM’s Profession Concession blog at www.svamblog.wordpress.com.

Elementary School Career FairSVAM participated in a career fair for 225 4th and 5th grade students from Bristol, VA Public Schools. SVAM staff provided students with the opportunity to learn about manufacturing and its careers through a presentation and 3-D Virtual Tour of a manufacturing facility. The Career Fair allowed students to visit different booths to learn about the many job opportunities available in Southwest Virginia.

MANUFACTURING MATTERS UPDATES FROM THE SVAM CENTER OF EXCELLENCE

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The SVAM Center of Excellence hosted a group of workforce development and business services professionals for the “Pathways Welding Experience.” The group wanted to gain a greater understanding of the welding craft so they could better work with their businesses and participants. After a safety

session, attendees put on their PPE and experienced welding first hand. They should be commended for their willingness to try something new to better serve the workforce participants and businesses of Southwest Virginia. Gerald Austin, the instructor, spent the first hour on safety before the welding began.A special thank you to Kimber Simmons for making the arrangements for these folks to experience welding.

SVAM-CoE staff received news in November from the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV) that their recertification application had been approved. SVAM-CoE is Certified to Operate (CTO) by SCHEV as a Career and Technical School. SVAM-CoE was first certified on September 19, 2016. The recertification process is required 2 years after initial CTO is received and then annually.

On December 14th, Stephanie Surrett, SVAM-CoE Director, represented area manufacturers on a workforce-focused panel during the Appalachian Regional Commission’s “Substance Abuse Listening Session” at the Goodloe Center on the campus of Mountain Empire Community College. Ms. Surrett shared some of the thoughts and policies of area manufacturers regarding the hiring and employment of people in recovery from drug abuse/addiction. Surrett joined Megan Healy, Governor Ralph Northam’s Chief Workforce Development Advisor, and Jodi Manz, Virginia’s Assistant Secretary of Health and Human Resources, on the panel.

To date, fourteen Business Roundtables have been held in multiple locations across the region. Roundtables are held to provide an opportunity for businesses in the area to come together to discuss issues and share ideas around our community. This quarter, roundtables were held in Haysi, Buchanan County, Lee County, Wise County, and Wythe County.

Upcoming Trainings:• Federal and DoD Contracting Training Series – Starting January 29 • GMAW for Manufacturing – Starting January 2019 • Welding Inspection Training – Starting February 2019 • Lean Six Sigma Black Belt Training – Starting March 6• Effective Personal Productivity – Starting March 13th, every other Wednesday for 8 sessions. The EPP leadership training program is designed to help participants develop better habits in time management, goal setting, achieving results, controlling priorities, communicating effectively, and dealing with interruptions. This program is appropriate for leaders who would benefit from spending more time on those activities most important to their organizations.

For more information and to register, all upcoming trainings can be accessed at svamcoe.eventbrite.com.

If you would like to learn more about SVAM-

CoE, contact Ms. Surrett to schedule a presentation at your business or organization by

calling (276) 525-1400 or

[email protected]

SVAM-CoE is Certified to Operate

by SCHEV.

Why become a member of SVAM?• Networking opportunities

• Training opportunities

• Priority access to SVAM worker pool

• Company exposure on website,at events, on newsletter, etc.

• Peer-to-Peer Best Practices Meetings

• Free admission to Manufacturers’ Appreciation Dinner

• Community outreach opportunities to change the image of manufacturing

Pathways Welding Experience

SVAM-CoE Recertified by SCHEV

Representation at ARC’s Substance Abuse Listening Session

The Heart Project

The Southwest Virginia Alliance for Manufacturing851 French Moore Jr. Blvd., Suite 109, Abingdon, VA 24210(276) 492-2100 • [email protected] • www.swvam.org

Associate MembersManufacturing Technology Center; Machine Tech Inc. (Mazak Corp.); Southwest Virginia Workforce

Development Board; Virginia Highlands Community College; Hollingsworth and Vose; First Community Bank; Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center; HR Alliance, LLC.; AtWork Personnel Services; Brown

Edwards & Company, L.L.P.

Affiliate MembersTri-County Skill Center; Occupational Enterprises, Inc.; United Way of Southwest Virginia; Russell County

IDA; Russell County Government; Virginia Coalfield EDA; Alliance Engineering; Virginia Economic Development Partnership, International Trade; GKT Properties; Dickenson County Board of Supervisors; Genedge Alliance; New River/Mount Rogers Workforce Development Area Consortium Board; Joint IDA

of Wythe; Mountain Empire Community College; Micronic Technologies; Virginia’s Industrial Advancement Alliance; OpX Solutions, LLC; SWCC’s Procurement Technical Assistance Center; The Virginia Tech Office of Economic Development; Wytheville Community College; The Southwestern Virginia Technology Council; People Incorporated of Virginia-Workforce Development Services; US Small Business Administration; King University; Smyth County Chamber of Commerce; Wytheville-Wythe-Bland Chamber of Commerce; UVa-

Wise Office of Economic Development; Allegheny Brokerage Company; Emory & Henry College

County Partners: Smyth County Board of Supervisors and Washington County Board of Supervisors

Members of the Southwest Virginia Alliance for Manufacturing