Fuller Industries Inc. and the Great Bend Chamber of Commerce invite the public to join them and business leaders for a special chamber coffee at 9:30 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 30, at Fuller as they celebrate Manufacturing Month 2025, an annual observance of the Manufacturing Institute’s efforts to recruit young people to enter careers in the industry.
Joe Mann, Fuller general manager, emphasized the event’s potential to shape the future: “This event is a chance to inspire the next generation, positively influence perceptions about our industry, and build the foundation for the manufacturing workforce of the future.”
He continued, stressing the importance of collaboration: “It empowers manufacturers to come together to address their collective challenges so they can help their communities and future generations thrive. Amid the changing landscape in manufacturing, our collective efforts are as important now as ever.”
Chamber President Megan Barfield said this is a chance to “recognize the backbone of our economy and the innovators who keep it moving. In Barton County, manufacturing isn’t just a sector. It’s a legacy of craftsmanship, ingenuity and community impact.”
This region is home to “a diverse array of manufacturers who fuel local employment, drive exports and anchor our economic resilience,” Barfield said. “These businesses not only produce goods, they build futures.”
Fuller, a local manufacturer primarily focused on commercial janitorial products with a global reach, wholeheartedly supports MFG Day, Mann said. As the longtime company modernizes and grows, Mann said they understand the need for young talent.
He said the purpose of the event is clear: “It introduces young people to manufacturing and the opportunities it holds for quality jobs. This helps all of us in industry to find the staffing matches we need.”
According to the Manufacturing Institute, over the next decade, 3.8 million new manufacturing workers will be needed in the U.S. There are millions of new modern manufacturing jobs coming online in the next decade — opportunities to contribute and connect. Finding the right match between people and position delivers a rewarding experience to the employee and value to both our customers.
As part of this celebration, National Manufacturing Day falls on the first Friday of October. This year was Oct. 3.
Since 2012, MFG Day has helped students discover financially rewarding job opportunities. MFG Day is more than a single event. It is a series of grassroots events hosted around the country.
Visit fullerindustriesinc.com or see #MFGDay24!, MFGDay.com, #CreatorsWanted or MFGDay.com.