High-school students from the Detroit Public School Community District (DPSCD) engaged in interactive demonstrations and received hands-on experience with modern manufacturing techniques during Manufacturing Day 2018 events held on Friday, Oct. 5, at two Deshler Group facilities in Livonia. 

“Addressing the workforce shortage in the manufacturing industry takes strong public and private partnerships that educate and inspire students to consider manufacturing as an exciting and attainable career where there is growth potential.” said Robert Gruschow, President of Deshler Group. “The national Manufacturing Day campaign provides a remarkable platform through which we can engage students across two of our Michigan sites in the innovative work we do.  We are thrilled to support a program today that yields remarkable results for the future of these students, our company and American Manufacturing.”

Based on content created by Deshler Group employees, the two-hour tours walked students through state-of-the-art facilities to bring modern-day manufacturing processes to life. This program was created to complement existing vocational curriculum, and to inspire DPSCD high-schoolers from Adult Ed Center – West and Samuel C. Mumford High School through hands-on activities and presentations. 

Deshler Group also engaged in robust social media with and for the students at all four sites with hashtag #MFGDay18.   The company developed custom Manufacturing Day Snapchat filters, allowing students to showcase their experience to their audience and post to a combined story where locals around the sites could view as well.

As part of the Deshler Group’s long-standing commitment to youth mentoring and STEM education, the global family of companies hosted and sponsored this event as part of the nationwide observance of Manufacturing Day 2018, in collaboration with the Southeast Michigan Community Alliance (SEMCA), a leader in workforce development programs in Wayne and Monroe counties, and the Wayne County Economic Development Corporation (WCEDC).

Students took part in interactive programming at two of Deshler Group’s facilities in Livonia: Amanda Manufacturing Michigan, which specializes in automotive-focused metal-stamping applications; and Deshler Group’s global headquarters, which houses operations for sister companies GS3 Global (supply chain management, assembly, engineering,) Feblo International (warehousing,) Global Transportation Management (logistics) and Amanda Products (aftermarket automotive products). Simultaneous programs were held at Deshler Group facilities in Oakland County and Central Ohio.

SEMCA’s launch of Wayne County-based Manufacturing Day programming began in 2015 with support from WCEDC to promote the many in-demand skills and manufacturing careers in Metro Detroit and has steadily grown to include over 40 Wayne County-based companies and more than 2,500 area students. SEMCA and WCEDC are focused on providing avenues for students to explore and understand the variety of careers available in the manufacturing industry. 

Manufacturing Day is a national celebration of modern manufacturing created to inspire and educate students, businesses, media, educators and politicians about career opportunities in manufacturing. The annual event provides students a positive understanding of the manufacturing industry, with the long-term goal of addressing the skilled labor shortages U.S. manufacturers face.