Manufacturing Day serves as an annual reminder for everyone to share the impact and accomplishments of equipment manufacturing, engage and connect with the workforce of tomorrow, as well as continue to find new and innovative ways to take equipment manufacturing to the next level and ensure a bright future for the industry. With that being said, AEM sat down with Ryne DeBoer, CEO at AEM member company The Morey Corporation, to highlight the importance of celebrating equipment for all the many ways it contributes to the economy and society.
AEM: Manufacturing Day serves to raise awareness among students, parents, educators, and the general public about modern manufacturing and the rewarding careers available. With that in mind, what are some reasons why people looking for quality employment should consider manufacturing and the skilled trades as a potential path for themselves?
DeBoer: The manufacturing business is so complex, so it opens the door for so many different areas to work in throughout a career. You can start your career at the lowest level of the organization work your way up to be an executive. The business acumen you can acquire from being a part of a manufacturing business is a lot higher than what’s found in other industries. And it opens you up to incredible opportunities to find a fulfilling and long-lasting career.
When you look at the data that surrounds manufacturing, it has a tremendously positive impact on local communities. It creates jobs and boosts local economies, but also allows people to create and manufacture things that make the world a better place. So, you are contributing to society in a unique, major way.
AEM: Why is it so important that we take the time to recognize manufacturers and their impact on both the economy and society?
DeBoer: Having gone through the supply chain crisis, that just put a giant spotlight on the fact that it’s so important for countries to be able to make their own products and manufacture the things that allow us all to have more prosperous lives. So, celebrating manufacturing is critical. For decades, I think the manufacturing industry got a bit of a bad rap. But again, in light of the recent supply chain crisis, we would all agree now that having manufacturing as a core part of the DNA of our country is especially important.
The AEM Manufacturing Express, the largest public engagement in the association’s 130-year history, is proud to make a stop at The Morey Corporation this Friday, Oct. 4, which happens to also be ‘National Manufacturing Day’. For more information and to follow along with the tour, visit manufacturingexpress.org.
AEM: What changes have you seen in the industry while you have worked in manufacturing, and where do you see the industry headed in the future?
DeBoer: In the last 20 years, you’ve seen automation find its way into the factory a lot more than ever before. And now that automation is here, there’s data being produced by all the machinery that is connected. How you use data to be able to run your business more efficiently is such a critical question for manufacturers these days. And then how you use artificial intelligence (AI) to handle and process transactions will be an important consideration as well.
To me, one of the most difficult aspects of running a manufacturing business is just the volume of transactions and, having to do so many things to produce high-quality products. I believe automation analytics and AI is going to really change, supplement, and increase the ability to do more with what you already have right now.
AEM: What do you feel like your organization does to support the industry and the skilled trades at large?
DeBoer: We have several leadership and development programs internally at The Morey Corporation, enabling us to invest in the next generation of manufacturing leaders. In addition, we pride ourselves on being able to hire someone with no experience and train them up to succeed in a particularly prominent position quickly. Finally, if someone is talented, we don’t create levels of bureaucracy for them to level up, because we really want people to feel empowered and have opportunities to be promoted within the organization. That’s why, I’m proud to say, we have more than 60 people who have worked at Morey for over 30 years.
AEM: What are some of the biggest challenges manufacturers are facing today? How can they be overcome?
DeBoer: I think one of the biggest challenges that we all face currently in the industry today is the cost of the things we must purchase in order to build our product. Inflation has been incredibly challenging, and some of the trade conflicts that are happening are also causing some uncertainty.
In terms of overcoming those challenges, you know, a key factor is having the ability to be a great partner with your customers and suppliers. Also, whatever initiatives you can utilize to drive down costs should be explored.
AEM: What advice would you give fellow manufacturers on how to have a positive impact on the communities around them?
DeBoer: When I think of things The Morey Corporation is involved in, the AEM Manufacturing Express is at or near the top of the list. Any opportunity to shed light on just how amazing the industry is, along with the companies and people in it, is so great. There is also a ton of cool stuff going on with companies like NVIDIA, Tesla, and SpaceX, and all of that is causing the overall interest levels in the industry to go up. And to me, that is very encouraging to see and bodes well for the future of our organization and the industry as a whole.
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