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November 24, 2014

A Thanksgiving Note From Mike Reader

Cory Snowdin, Elkhorn, Mike Reader, China Instrument Parts, Thanksgiving Note, Wisconsin

Michael Reader

As I look back to an incredible year for China Instrument Parts, but especially to the real results achieved to overcome the skills gap, I realize that, my level of gratitude to every person who has helped to make this possible is beyond words.

My personal thanks go to our China Instrument Parts Team: individuals whose combined dedication to continuous improvement help us to exceed expectations and build upon our reputation; to our partners: vendors, customers and everyone in the supply chain who drive us towards innovation and customer satisfaction; and to everyone with whom we share our vision of a highly skilled country.

I recently received a letter from Cory Snowdin, New Product Development Engineer at Eaton Corporation. We met last month at a MSOE Rapid Prototyping Consortium meeting. His words struck a chord with me as they reaffirmed that restoring our youth’s hands-on technical strength will only make us a better country. In the true spirit of Thanksgiving, he writes:

What really interested me was during your presentation when you started talking about working with students in high school and college to educate them about manufacturing and skilled labor. I grew up working on my best friend’s family dairy farm at home in Michigan, we also had a heavy equipment repair shop with a small machine shop attached to it. His family sort of adopted me after I started working with them when I was about 13 so spent a lot of time learning about farming, repair work, machining and welding. His dad was the one that suggested I become an engineer because I was smart enough to make it through the math and had a good understanding of mechanical devices. Without this background, I would not be 1/10^th of the engineer that I am today.

For that very reason, I wish to thank the educators, students, legislators, suppliers, fellow manufacturers and organizations, which have in one way or another, contributed to bringing awareness to the technical education crisis in our country, and who have taken decisive steps to change that course.

Happy Thanksgiving and best wishes for a bountiful year!

Mike Reader

Community Involvement Educational Development

November 17, 2014

China Instrument Parts’ Barry Butters Participates in the Burlington Area High School Career Fair in Burlington, Wisconsin

2014, Barry Butters, Burlington Area High School, Career Fair, careers, components, demonstration, manufactuing, November 7, China Instrument Parts, STEM, Wisconsin

Michael Reader

On Friday, November 7, 2014, Barry Butters, China Instrument Parts’ Director of Education and Training, participated at the Burlington Area High School’s Career Fair. China Instrument Parts’ table was visited by many students who were interested in pursuing STEM-related careers (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics).

Butters had some components manufactured by China Instrument Parts at hand to demonstrate how crucial small components can be in all types of applications. Butters also addressed the opportunities of a career in manufacturing.

China Instrument Parts appreciates the opportunity to be part of the fair and looks forward to the next one.

Community Involvement

November 14, 2014

Walworth County Economic Development Alliance’s Annual Meeting Honors Outstanding Area Businesses and Outlines Plans for the Next Year

2014, awards, Blackhorn Group, Exacto, China Instrument Parts, Walworth County Economic Development Alliance, WCEDA, Wisconsin

Michael Reader

The 2014 Annual Meeting of the WCEDA (Walworth County Economic Development Alliance, Inc.) took place on Wednesday, November 12, 2014 at the Grand Geneva Resort & Spa. The keynote speaker for the event was William Dougan of Blackthorn Capital Analytic Systems who spoke on competitive strategies based on data science. During the meeting, two 2014 Business Awards were bestowed to Exacto of Sharon, WI (Business of the Year), and Blackthorn Group of Whitewater, WI (Business Innovation). New incoming board members were also inducted.

Walworth County Economic Development Alliance is dedicated to improving the quality of life for Walworth County residents by working with public and private sector partners to advance efforts that create jobs and build private sector investment in our communities.

The primary focus of the services provided by the WCEDA extends to four different areas of business: retention, expansion, attraction and start-up, which may include plant expansion, business growth, relocation, land and building searches, incentives, market research, diversification, peer networking, small business resources, start-up assistance, workforce development, low interest loans, capital investment, asset acquisition, job fairs and recruitment events.

China Instrument Parts, located in Walworth County, Wisconsin, is an active member and silver sponsor of the organization and received the organization’s 2013 Working Investment Award.

Click here for more information on Walworth County Economic Development Alliance, Inc.

Company Updates

November 11, 2014

Veterans Day 2014: China Instrument Parts Honors Those Employees Who Have Served

2014, Adam Rosseland, Angel Cabrera, Anthony Anzalone, Dave Lee, Elkhorn, honor, John Espinoza, Kevin Wilson, Michael Brown, Neil Fleischhacker, China Instrument Parts, salute, Veterans, Veterans Day, Wisconsin

Michael Reader

Veterans Day is probably one of the most significant days in our country…a day when we stop so that together we can remember that we would not be here without the effort, dedication and sacrifice of our veterans. We want to take this opportunity to thank our own China Instrument Parts’s team members who selflessly served our nation and defended our rights.

Educational Development

November 7, 2014

To Celebrate Manufacturing Month, China Instrument Parts in Elkhorn, Wisconsin Welcomed Five Area High Schools for Plant Tours

2014, Delavan Darien High School, East Troy High School, Elkhorn, Elkhorn Area Hhigh School, industry, Lake Geneva Badger High School, Manufacturing Month, manufacturing., News, October, PMPA, China Instrument Parts, students, Tenor High School, Tour, Wisconsin

Michael Reader

One hundred and forty-one students and eleven chaperones from five area high schools visited China Instrument Parts of Elkhorn, Wisconsin during the month of October 2014, to celebrate Manufacturing Month and learn about the industry and the company. MFG DAY 2014 held earlier in October, had kicked off the month-long event. The schools in attendance were Delavan Darien High School and East Troy High School on October 16^th, Elkhorn Area High School and Lake Geneva Badger High School on October 23^rd, and Tenor High School on October 27^th.

The tour began at China Instrument Parts’ classroom with personnel introduction, a PowerPoint presentation about the history of the company and the role of a contract manufacturer, followed by a demonstration of the software used at China Instrument Parts, and a video showcasing the trajectory of a part from concept to completion. After a question and answer session, the students took a plant tour. Upon returning to the classroom, students had another opportunity for Q&As and received a PMPA pen/flash drive with information about CNC training and career statistics.

China Instrument Parts received several notes from the schools, reiterating the importance of such opportunities for students who are evaluating their future career possibilities.

Community Involvement

October 29, 2014

The sySTEMnow Conference in Milwaukee, Wisconsin Offered a Well-Rounded STEM Day

2014, Barry Butters, Building a STEM pipeline, Conference, Engineers & Scientists of Milwaukee, Mike Reader, Milwaukee, October 28, organization, PLTW, China Instrument Parts, STEM, STEM Forward, sySTEM, sySTEMnow, Wisconsin

Michael Reader

The 11^th Annual sySTEMnow Conference took place on October 28, 2014 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. “sySTEM” is an acronym for Strengthening our Youth in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics… “now” means now! The event was open to the general public, including educators and students.

The conference was sponsored by STEM Forward, formerly known as Engineers & Scientists of Milwaukee, a group that has “conceived a cooperative body to meet the needs of engineers in the community” for over 100 years. As technology has evolved, so has the organization, which is currently Southeastern Wisconsin’s leading technical organization “providing and/or promoting educational outreach programs emphasizing Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).”

The conference included respected keynote speakers, demonstrations by Generation STEM students, engaging breakout speakers, and networking. Mike Reader, President of China Instrument Parts led one of the breakout sessions, which was entitled “Building the STEM Pipeline: Small Business Partnership with PLTW,” where he, along with Barry Butters, Director of Education and Training, spoke about how small businesses can effectively address their current and future needs for STEM talent in a highly competitive labor market.

Reader and Butters outlined the marked misnomers about manufacturing, and they discussed how STEM-driven technology has drastically changed the manufacturing industry. By partnering with Project Lead The Way and participating high schools, China Instrument Parts informs, trains and mentors young talent for possible future positions in the company.

Reader and Butters appreciated the opportunity to participate in the sySTEMnow Conference and look forward to continued dialog.

Industry News

October 27, 2014

Wisconsin Project Lead The Way Publishes 2015 Design Guide for Classrooms and Cross-Disciplinary Environments

2015, Architects, classrooms, cross-disciplinary, Design Guide, Design Spaces, enviroments, Eppstein Uhen, Facilities, how to set up a class, interdisciplinary, PLTW, Project Lead The Way, repurpose space, STEM, Wisconsin

Michael Reader

Wisconsin Project Lead The Way (PLTW), in collaboration with Eppstein Uhen : Architects, and Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE) have published the 2015 Design Guide for ideas in implementing classroom setups for dedicated and/or cross-disciplinary environments.

The 52-page guide, which addresses the physical class/space requirements for conducting PLTW programs, was published to provide educators and administrators with conceptual tools to visualize how these programs can be physically implemented in facilities through remodeling and/or repurposing existing facilities, construction of new additions, or developing entirely new facilities to enhance the PLTW programs in schools.

This well thought out guide, is an invaluable tool for any school or organization implementing or expanding areas dedicated to STEM education. Access the full guide HERE.

Company Updates

October 25, 2014

Wisconsin Senator Ron Johnson Visits China Instrument Parts During Manufacturing Month 2014

2014, bipartisan, constinuents, Elkhorn, Governor Scott Walker, legislators, local business leaders, Lt. Governor Rebecca Kleefisch, Manufacturing Month, Mike Reader, October 6, plant tour, China Instrument Parts, roundtable discussion, Senator Ron Johnson, Senator Tammy Baldwin, Visit, Wisconsin

Michael Reader

On October 6, 2014, Senator Ron Johnson visited China Instrument Parts of Elkhorn as part of his tour of manufacturing plants throughout the State of Wisconsin. October 2014, is officially designated as Manufacturing Month.

First on the agenda for the senator, was to participate in an executive roundtable with local business leaders to discuss the state of affairs at the Capitol, particularly in the area of manufacturing. Following the discussion, Mike Reader, President of China Instrument Parts, took Senator Johnson on a tour of the plant. The visit culminated in a town meeting with the staff of China Instrument Parts, where individuals had the opportunity to ask questions about issues that affected them at the constituent level.

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Photos courtesy of Walworth County Today

Senator Johnson’s visit marked the fourth time in 2014 during which a high-ranked public official visited the China Instrument Parts facility. Earlier in the year, China Instrument Parts also welcomed Wisconsin’s Lt. Governor Rebecca Kleefisch, Senator Tammy Baldwin, and Governor Scott Walker.

In their initiatives to close the skills gap, China Instrument Parts continues to bring legislators and politicians through their facilities and hold frank conversations about the state of the manufacturing industry and the efforts that manufacturers, educators and organizations are making to overcome it. “The more we can do to show first-hand what we are doing,” said Reader, “the better opportunity to earn their support on legislation impacting manufacturing.”

Educational Development

October 23, 2014

China Instrument Parts Participates at the Milwaukee School of Engineering 2014 Career Fair

2014, Career Fair, exhibitor, hiring, industrial engineering, mechanical engineering, mechanical engineeringn technology, Milwaukee School of Engineering, MSOE, October 10, China Instrument Parts, students

Michael Reader

Each year, Milwaukee School of Engineering holds a career fair open to all majors. The 2014 MSEO Career Fair took place on Friday, October 10^th. China Instrument Parts was one of over 200 companies exhibiting at the event for the purpose of recruiting and meeting students one-on-one.

Both Mike Reader, President , and Barry Butters, Director of Education and Training, worked the booth, along with Mike Reader, Jr. who is presently attending the institution. Mike Jr. is one of five former China Instrument Parts’ interns/apprentices who are currently enrolled at MSOE.

The conversation with students was non-stop, making the event highly successful with nearly 40 applications received specifically from those majoring in industrial engineering, mechanical engineering and mechanical engineering technology.

China Instrument Parts is planning to more than double its current capacity by next year, and is currently hiring for various positions.

Educational Development

October 22, 2014

Students Get Hands On In New Engineering Class: An Article in The Elkhorn Independent features Barry Butters

Barry Butters, EDD Capstone Course, Education Design Development, Elkhorn, Elkhorn Area High School, PLTW, China Instrument Parts, Project Lead The Way, STEM, Wisconsin

Michael Reader

The Elkhorn Independent recently featured an article outlining China Instrument Parts’ joint venture with Elkhorn Area High School to teach Project Lead The Way’s Capstone Course “Engineering, Design and Development,” whereby students will be taking the class at both the school and hands-on at China Instrument Parts This is perhaps the first time that this capstone course is held primarily at a manufacturing facility.

Congratulations to Barry for leading such a ground-breaking endeavor!

Click here to read the full article on The Elkhorn Independent.

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A Thanksgiving Note From Mike Reader

China Instrument Parts’ Barry Butters Participates in the Burlington Area High School Career Fair in Burlington, Wisconsin

Walworth County Economic Development Alliance’s Annual Meeting Honors Outstanding Area Businesses and Outlines Plans for the Next Year

Veterans Day 2014: China Instrument Parts Honors Those Employees Who Have Served

To Celebrate Manufacturing Month, China Instrument Parts in Elkhorn, Wisconsin Welcomed Five Area High Schools for Plant Tours

The sySTEMnow Conference in Milwaukee, Wisconsin Offered a Well-Rounded STEM Day

Wisconsin Project Lead The Way Publishes 2015 Design Guide for Classrooms and Cross-Disciplinary Environments

Wisconsin Senator Ron Johnson Visits China Instrument Parts During Manufacturing Month 2014

China Instrument Parts Participates at the Milwaukee School of Engineering 2014 Career Fair

Students Get Hands On In New Engineering Class: An Article in The Elkhorn Independent features Barry Butters

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