e-Trends Newsletter

This digital community newspaper offers readers a nexus of timely news of the people, companies and trends that drive Minnesota's manufacturing economy.


Enterprise Minnesota e-Trends

October 19, 2012

 

Canadian, Minnesota Manufacturers Share Industry Challenges And Best Practices       

In a lively exchange with Canadian manufacturers, Enterprise Minnesota President and CEO Bob Kill found that Minnesota manufacturers share many challenges with our neighbors to the north. Bob helped kick off a visit by Canadian manufacturers who were in Minnesota to tour manufacturing facilities in Alexandria and the Twin Cities.

The tour was sponsored by Innovations Insights, which is part of the Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters, Canada's largest trade and industry association. The group visited Douglas Machine, Donnelly Custom Manufacturing, Medtronic, 3M Innovation Center, New Flyer and Arctic Cat.

Bob used the results of the 2012 State of Manufacturing® poll to show the Canadians in real terms how Minnesota manufacturers temper their overall optimism with concerns regarding the availability of qualified workers. The State of Manufacturing® is an annual poll of manufacturers that has received national attention.

The conversation that followed his presentation made clear how much the two groups had in common.

After one Canadian executive described how the Canadian worker shortage is more acute in welding, machining and engineering and in rural areas, Bob discussed how manufacturers have aggressively sought out public and private coalitions to attract qualified workers. "When the city of Alexandria designed their new high school, manufacturers rallied to have it include advanced manufacturing. That's the way the workforce shortage is going to have to be solved," Bob told the group.

Manufacturers in both countries have tried to dispel the misperception that manufacturing jobs are dirty and monotonous by opening their plants to students and parents for tours. One Canadian manufacturer said showing elementary school students manufacturing careers is important so they might pursue relevant classes in high school.

When asked about employee-based health and wellness benefits, Bob said the State of Manufacturing® revealed it is a top concern. "A lot of manufacturers have tried to figure out how to embrace wellness with practical means into the company. Wellness is something companies can invest in to their benefit."

The visitors saw technologies and processes in action on plant floors and networked with company employees during their tour.

"The Canadian manufacturers' visit provided a great exchange of ideas for best continuous improvement practices," said Rick Paulsen, president and CEO of Douglas Machine in Alexandria.

He said he appreciated the wrap up session in which each participant shared a positive and constructive comment about his company's operations. "This feedback was important to our continuous improvement journey."

Click here to read more about Innovations Insights in Canada.

business event logo

   Successes in business Innovation - Manufacturers Show The Way

Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2012
8-11 am
US Bank
1 Meridian Crossings
Arrowhead Conference Room
Richfield, MN

Cost: Early Bird By Oct. 30 $79; Regular $119

Register Online

What to Expect: 

Come learn how successful manufacturers are growing their businesses through strategic innovative investments in processes, new products, marketing, exporting strategies and more.

Speakers:

•    Tim Keran, Owner &  President
     Western Graphics
     St. Paul
 
•    Kent Mogler, COO & Vice President
     WW Johnson Meat
     Minneapolis

Register Online Today!

Have news or events for e-trends?  Contact Sue Roe at sue.roe@enterpriseminnesota.org
 

Industry News

Officials Looking To Summit To Draw Attention To Minnesota Employers As They Struggle To Find Experienced Workers
A manufacturing showcase in Willmar a year ago was so successful at highlighting the local manufacturing industry and exposing students to potential careers that it's being repeated this year on Oct. 26. The state's business and education leaders hope to see more of these kinds of activities, which they believe will help spur the development of a critical resource - trained, skilled workers who can fill jobs.
wctrib.com article
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Enterprise Minnesota Looking for Service Delivery Consultant
Enterprise Minnesota is seeking a talented business professional to join its statewide team.
enterpriseminnesota.org article
More Information

Minnesota Manufacturers' Week Oct. 21-27
Manufacturers across the state of Minnesota will have an opportunity during Minnesota Manufacturer's week to participate in an event intended to help build a pipeline of future workers for skilled jobs in the manufacturing sector. This year, Manufacturers' Week will include a statewide Tour of Manufacturing; a week when the general public is invited to tour participating manufacturing businesses. 
More Information  

Job Numbers Up, But Recession Uemployment Persists
In Circle Pines, Minn. where Delkor Systems makes food packaging machines, CEO Dale Anderson has hired 40 people this year and now has 180 employees. "I think the economy is really ... it's picking up," Anderson said.
Ryan Broughton is one of those new workers. After leaving his job in construction, he retrained to become a machinist.
CBS Evening News article continues

Minnesota Technical Colleges To Share $13 Million Grant
A group of technical colleges in central Minnesota received a $13.1 million federal grant to train laid off workers and veterans whose jobs have gone to other countries.The funding was announced at Wyoming Machine, a precision metal fabricator based in Stacy, Minn.The consortium of colleges put together a training program designed to meet the needs of advanced manufacturers in their area.
TwinCities.com article continues

Polaris To Add 300 Jobs 
A manufacturing company plans to add 300 jobs to its office near Minneapolis over the next three years. Polaris Industries Inc. plans a $20 million expansion to its product development center in Wyoming, Minn.
marshallindependent.com
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Governor Finds Mining Optimism
Gov. Mark Dayton brought his "Working for Minnesota Jobs" tour to the Iron Range and took away some "very, very encouraging" information from mining industry and workplace post-secondary education officials.
Virginiamn.com article continues

Klobuchar Visits Wyoming Machine, Wilson Tool On National Manufacturing Day
U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar  stopped at Wyoming Machine in Stacy and Wilson Tool in White Bear Lake as part of National Manufacturing Day, designed to expand knowledge about manufacturing careers and highlight manufacturing's value to the U.S. economy.
HometownSource.com continues

IRRR Board Approves $4.845 Million For Development Projects
Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Board (IRRRB) Commissioner Tony Sertich announced that the IRRR Board approved $4.845 million for development projects. The funding will leverage over $13 million in total project investments. At least 80 jobs are projected to be created as a result of the projects.
IRRR Board article continues

Upcoming Events

Minnesota Manufacturers' Summit 
Minnesota Chamber of Commerce
Oct. 23, 2012
11:30am - 6pm
Minneapolois-St. Paul Airport Hilton Mall of America
3800 America Blvd East
Bloomington
Register Now

Minnesota
Solar Manufacturing Supply Chain
Roundtable
Blue Green Alliance Foundation
Oct. 23, 2012
8am - 4:30pm
Crenlo & Cascade Meadows
Rochester
Register Now