Fuller Industries Inc. and the Great Bend Chamber of Commerce hosted a special event Thursday, Oct. 30, to celebrate Manufacturing Month. The Chamber Coffee, held at the Fuller facility, highlighted the business and the Manufacturing Institute’s efforts to recruit young talent.
Joe Mann, Fuller general manager, said the gathering was a chance to “inspire the next generation and build the foundation for the manufacturing workforce of the future.” Mann stressed the importance of industry collaboration to address challenges and help communities thrive.
“Manufacturing is important to Barton County and to the entire country,” he said. He noted the company’s partnership with the chamber and Barton Community College.
Mann, whose company has a rich heritage in the area and makes commercial janitorial products, also took the opportunity to highlight Fuller’s exciting efforts to expand and its dedication to developing innovative, sustainable products.
In addition to making cleaning products under its own labels, it sells to retail giants such as Hobby Lobby.
Chamber President Megan Barfield called manufacturing the “backbone of our economy and the innovators who keep it moving.” She noted that in Barton County, manufacturing is “a legacy of craftsmanship, ingenuity and community impact.”
“There is a lot of cool stuff being made right here in Barton County,” she said. She urged those present to give a “pat on the back” to those involved in manufacturing.
Mann affirmed Fuller’s support for the observance, known nationally as MFG Day. He said the event’s purpose was to “introduce young people to manufacturing and the opportunities it holds for quality jobs,” helping the industry find needed staffing matches.
The Manufacturing Institute, which promotes Manufacturing Month, estimates the U.S. will need 3.8 million new manufacturing workers over the next decade. National Manufacturing Day, the official observance, was held Oct. 3.
About Fuller Industries Inc.
Based in Great Bend, with a rich heritage dating back over a century to the Fuller Brush Man, Fuller Industries is a leading American manufacturer of industrial products, including cleaning chemicals and supplies, as well as brooms, mops, brushes and more. Fuller serves manufacturing, commercial, institutional and agricultural clients across the Western Hemisphere. Call 620-792-1711 or visit Fullerindustriesllc.com.
Chamber Announcements
• The City of Great Bend, Great Bend Convention and Visitors Bureau, Great Bend Chamber of Commerce and Great Bend Alive invite local retailers and community members to participate in the 2025 “Holiday Open Houses” on Saturday, Nov. 8, to kick off the shopping season in Great Bend. Businesses don’t need to be a Chamber member to participate. For questions, contact Chamber CEO Megan Barfield at mbarfield@greatbend.org or City of Great Bend Public Relations Director Addison Crites at acrites@greatbendks.net.
• Home for the Holidays parade entry is open. This year’s theme is Holiday Movie Madness. The event will be on Nov. 29.
• Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 4. Don’t forget to vote.
• The next Chamber Coffee will be at 9 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 6, at the Great Bend USD 428 District Office, 1809 24th St. It will be hosted by the USD 428 Education Foundation with a program at 9:30 a.m.
• The Nov. 6 coffee will be followed by a ribbon cutting at the Crest Theater, 1905 Lakin Ave., around 10 a.m. This will be in celebration of the Crest Theater’s 75th Anniversary.
• The Crest’s 75th Anniversary celebration and re-creation of the 1950 grand opening will be on Sunday, Nov. 9. The Crest will present two showings of the 1950 grand opening film, “Two Weeks with Love,” starring Jane Powell and Ricardo Montalban. Doors open at 1 p.m. with the screenings at 2 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Admission will be $1, which includes popcorn. People are invited to wear 1950s attire for a “Best 1950 Dressed Contest.”