Manufacturing 2.0
Rock River Valley manufacturing experts discuss the many facets of manufacturing: technology, education, training, events, people and any other aspects of this important segment of our economy. They’ll use this blog to get the word out and solicit feedback on local and global manufacturing. They hope to better engage our employers, employees and our future work force and increase their understanding of manufacturing.

Archive for May 22nd, 2009

The British are Coming!

Add comment May 22nd, 2009

They’re coming to rescue a Chicago manufacturer….see it here…. Brits

Nuts, Bolts and Thingamajigs

Add comment May 22nd, 2009

You may have seen on local television that John Ratzenberger, formerly Cliff Claven on Cheers, is is town doing some filming as part of his mission to get more youth into manufacturing.  His foundation, Nuts, Bolts and Thingamajigs, is now part of the Fabricators Manufacturers Association, national headquarters located here in Rockford.

Here are some highlights….

The mission of Nuts, Bolts and Thingamajigs is to nurture the tinkering spirit.

  • NBT will be the recognized resource for career development information programs, outreach, training, and services to facilitate a skilled manufacturing work force.
  • NBT will be the recognized voice for the general public awareness of the challenge and solutions for renewing the future manufacturing work force.
  • NBT will be a powerful fundraiser that is successful in developing and implementing its funding campaigns.

Core Value

  • Be involved
  • Youth are the future
  • Inspire people to work with their hands and minds
  • Respect for individual skills
  • Lifelong learning by doing
  • Empowering people of all ages to tinker
  • Pursuit of craftsmanship
  • Honing interest into ability

For more information, visit their web site….http://www.nutsandboltsfoundation.org/

Let’s Celebrate Manufacturing!

Add comment May 22nd, 2009

Some are fighting everyday to keep manufacturing healthy in our USA while others seem to be fighting everyday to weaken it! Just see Blogs’ from Bob this week! I want to celebrate two neat things directly related to manufacturing and the Rockford Region in particular! During the Hubble Telescope Repair I could see parts purchased by the Goddard Space Center and Made in Rockford! Yesterday, in Washington State, Boeing started the engine of the 1st 787 off the assembly line—-at least one Hamilton Sundstrand electrical engineer was on board to listen to the success of our great HS facility plus the work of many small companies that put parts on that plane! YEA! Think about what your companies parts are doing and where they are working right NOW! I am proud of manufacturing—-those who design and make the parts as well as those who are fighting everyday to keep manufacturing here in this USA!