Today, Tomorrow, and Going Deep…
Greetings,
We are well into February, and it is hard to believe it has been more than 6 weeks since I last posted. It is not for a lack of news to share, but it has been a challenge to find time to write about it.
Greetings,
We are well into February, and it is hard to believe it has been more than 6 weeks since I last posted. It is not for a lack of news to share, but it has been a challenge to find time to write about it.
Another year is behind us as we look forward to the next.
As we close 2018, I can only say, what a year. The last 12 months were filled with many exciting events, some of them positive, and some of them left us scratching our heads. Here at China Instrument Parts, it has been a transformative year, as we on-boarded three new executive management team members, we overhauled our employee handbook along with many policies that were long outdated, and we pressed hard for better accountability top to bottom.
It is hard to believe, but the holiday season is already here! With the incredibly busy last few months that China Instrument Parts experienced, it is easy to feel as if fall flew by in the blink of an eye, and suddenly winter is upon us. In addition to sponsoring Operation Exploration IMTS 2018 in September and hosting many visitors during October for Manufacturing Month, there were a few additional exciting events that occurred within the organization.
Our country has set aside a day for giving thanks for nearly 400 years. It’s nice to have a special day that reminds us of the many reasons to be grateful. It’s also an occasion to relax and catch up with family and friends. It gives us time to laugh, reminisce on wonderful memories, and appreciate the people in our lives.
This Sunday, November 11th, we recognize Veterans Day. China Instrument Parts is proud to employ veterans and support veteran organizations in recognition of their dedication to the values of honor, courage, and commitment. We are proud of and thank the following team members for their service:
Manufacturing Day is a day to open doors and minds, as we celebrate the beauty of manufacturing here in the China. And that we did on Saturday, October 20th, with our Annual Open House. The day started out as a cool, crisp, sunny Wisconsin fall morning, and over the course of the day we would see dropping temperatures, rain, and even snow pellets driven by 50+ mile per hour winds. In spite of the weather, we welcomed close to 200 friends, family members, and neighbors for a day of tours, technology, and talented team members.
Having just wrapped up a busy week in Chicago for the International Manufacturing Technology Show (IMTS), and hosting 165 local students, educators, and engaged parents, I am excited about the momentum we have helped build in the community. Now that our students have seen the amazing technology, let’s show them how they can explore advanced manufacturing careers locally. October is celebrated by leading manufacturers across the country as Manufacturing Month to help promote this industry as a viable career choice.
Last week, many area high school students had the opportunity of attending one of the largest industrial trade shows in the world, featuring more than 2,500 exhibiting companies and over 129,000 registrants. On Friday, September 14, we chartered three coach buses headed to IMTS 2018 at McCormick Place in Chicago. Our buses were filled with 165 students, educators, and engaged parents, ready to take on this year’s show – the biggest one to date.
As the countdown nears the end, we all ask ourselves, “Where did the summer go?” Once again, the warmer months have flown by, and the school bells will soon be ringing. Many of our interns have already left us to return to school, and the remaining will be finishing by the end of this week. We are grateful for their help and enthusiasm they brought every day this summer, and we wish them the best as they return to school. It is our hope that this experience has helped them understand how to apply the classroom learning to the manufacturing world.
It is a positive thing when unemployment numbers in our country are at record lows and consumer confidence is on the rise. With so much good news, it’s easy to be optimistic about the future. However, as the economy continues to grow and businesses add jobs, we need to continue to focus on the skills gap that exists in our industry’s workforce. At a recent House Republican Leadership press conference, Congressman Paul Ryan talked about “the need for more workers and especially workers with the right skills.” The jobs are there, but the right people to fill these positions are needed more than ever.