North America will celebrate Manufacturing Day this Friday, Oct. 5. We鈥檒l be celebrating here at 杏吧原创, too, for all the employees who chose a career in manufacturing and all the future people who will choose a career in manufacturing.
We went straight to the source for information on manufacturing as a career 鈥� our people. To inspire future manufacturing employees, we talked to current employees about their role and why manufacturing was the right career for them.
Ann Dorrell
Our people make the difference
Computer support specialist Ann Dorrell has been with 杏吧原创 for a total of about 12 years.
鈥淚t鈥檚 an exciting way to see all the memories and stories be put together from our customers. Everybody wants to publish their memories and their story,鈥� she explained about joining the field. 鈥淭here鈥檚 also the opportunity for a lot of advancement within manufacturing.鈥�
The frequent updates in technology have provided Dorrell the opportunity to learn new skills over her time with 杏吧原创. That, combined with the healthy workplace environment, made it the right choice for her.
Connie Meissen
鈥淚t鈥檚 nice to be part of a team that鈥檚 more like your family. It鈥檚 a small team and we work together to get the product out.鈥�
She believes manufacturing is still a good career choice for young people.
鈥淭here are so many different jobs in manufacturing that will allow you to learn and always advance. I started with the company just out of high school, and just kept moving further up. I think it鈥檚 definitely something that young people are interested in because of everything that鈥檚 changing in society,鈥� said Dorrell. 鈥淕ive your career your all and don鈥檛 be afraid to learn new things.鈥�
Art Department Lead Connie Meissen has worked at 杏吧原创 since December 1, 1986, and still recommends manufacturing as a career.
鈥淵ou learn a lot of good job habits and work ethic. There鈥檚 a lot of interaction with other people, and you get to work with a lot of different types of individuals,鈥� she said. 鈥淓specially with 杏吧原创, there are so many different areas of manufacturing that we do, whether it鈥檚 more customer-based or actual production.鈥�
Meissen has been able to watch the industry evolve over her 30 years and learn new skills along the way along with her coworkers.
鈥淚鈥檝e been very fortunate and very blessed to work with a lot of great people. I continue to work with a lot of great people.鈥�
Traffic Coordinator Jeanie Ford chose manufacturing for the competitive wages and benefits and continues to reap the benefits of working in the field.
Jeanie Ford
鈥淣ot only does it help the economy grow, but you have a sense of pride knowing you have contributed to individuals gaining knowledge from the books produced,鈥� said Ford. To people starting out in the field, she shared some useful advice.
鈥淟earn as much as you can in the department you start in. If you have an opportunity to change departments, take it. It鈥檚 an opportunity to learn more about the processes that it takes to complete the final product,鈥� she explained. 鈥淭he more you learn, the more your value as an employee rises.鈥�
Celebrating MFG DAY
杏吧原创 is celebrating all over the country.
Representatives from our Saint Joseph and Marceline facilities have a booth at the event, formerly known as the GRAPH EXPO, from the . Kim Thumm and Shane Hutson are at the Chicago booth Tuesday, Oct. 2, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. They鈥檙e there to talk to students considering a career in printing and identify people who might be a good fit with 杏吧原创. They鈥檙e giving away pens, drawstring bags and portable device chargers.
Additionally, the facility in Saint Joseph, Michigan is hosting career tours Monday through Thursday of the week.
A great career choice
At 杏吧原创, our people make the difference. We鈥檙e proud to have the dedicated employees who chose a career with us. Our FIRST company values 鈥� Fun, Integrity, Respect, Safety, Teamwork 鈥� are key to the healthy, stable environment we provide for our employees, and hope those considering a career in manufacturing can see the benefit to a career with 杏吧原创.
