Celebrating Manufacturing Month: Inspiring Innovation and the Next Generation

SEATTLE (Waste Advantage): In October, Rotochopper celebrated Manufacturing Month by showcasing the innovations and craftsmanship that drive our industry. Through events with local schools and community outreach, we highlighted exciting career opportunities in manufacturing and emphasized the potential of this evolving industry.

Individuals were invited to explore the latest advancements in manufacturing technology through the Central Minnesota Manufacturers Association (CMMA) virtual tour. This tour offers an inside look at the innovative work happening at Rotochopper’s manufacturing facility and the world-class equipment built here.

Several local student groups recently toured Rotochopper’s manufacturing facility to gain firsthand insight into the opportunities within the manufacturing industry. These groups included the West Stearns CEO (Creating Entrepreneurial Opportunities) program, the Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa (BBE) Manufacturing and Production Systems class, the Kimball High School Small Engines class, ROCORI’s Mechanical Design and Exploring Metals classes, and Melrose High School’s Welding, CAD, and Mechatronics classes.

The West Stearns CEO (WSCEO) class visited Rotochopper on October 8, 2024, as a part of their year-long program designed to foster partnerships that offer insights into business development and operations. WSCEO’s mission is to cultivate future leaders in Albany, Melrose, and Sauk Centre by connecting them with today’s leaders. During their visit, the students toured Rotochopper, engaging with various aspects of the business and asking insightful questions. Their top takeaways included the importance of embracing curiosity, the value of consistency, and the understanding that while everyone’s career path is unique, developing strong problem-solving skills is key to achieving success.

On October 9, 2024, the Kimball Small Engines class toured Rotochopper, diving into the world of manufacturing and machinery. The students showed great curiosity, asking questions about our machine painting process, our best-selling models, and the types of materials our horizontal grinders process. They learned that building a machine from start to finish takes approximately four to six weeks. The group was also interested to know more about our job shadowing opportunities for students.

In mid-October, the BBE Manufacturing and Production Systems (MAPS) class visited Rotochopper for a tour. The students were highly engaged, asking insightful questions about various components that make up our machines. They also showed curiosity about our manufacturing processes, the engineering programs we utilize, and the employee benefits we offer.

Students from ROCORI High School’s Mechanical Design and Exploring Metals classes toured Rotochopper on October 29^th, 2024. They had the chance to see the manufacturing process behind our machines and were especially intrigued to learn that our grinders are used in hurricane and disaster cleanup efforts. One student shared, “The tour of Rotochopper was fun and entertaining. It was interesting to see how big the machines are and the process of putting them together and how many people are involved in it. It is also interesting to learn how much they cost.” Their teacher also commented, “The staff at Rotochopper did a great job showing and explaining the manufacturing process of the machines to our students. They took the time to start with the history of the company and move through the manufacturing area of their impressive machines.”

Wrapping up our student tours, the Melrose High School Welding, CAD, and Mechatronics classes visited Rotochopper. The students were amazed by the size of our machines and showed great interest in our painting process and annual sales, particularly in international markets. They also asked thoughtful questions about employment opportunities and the education paths required to work in the industry.

At the end of October, Rotochopper proudly participated in EPIC (Exploring Potential Interest & Careers). Team members Keith Burg, Noah Ritter, Hayden Schliemann, Cory Olmscheid, Skylar Posusta-Chrast, and Vickie Zierden connected with students to explore careers in welding and manufacturing. As part of the event, Rotochopper donated steel cutouts of Minnesota and platforms for a hands-on welding project. Keith and Vickie guided students in the welding shop, with Noah and Hayden teaching welding techniques for their projects. Meanwhile, Cory supported students in the electrical section, and Skylar provided guidance in the millwright section.

As we look back on another Manufacturing Month, it’s clear that this industry is a dynamic and constantly evolving force. From technological innovations to sustainable practices, October highlights the diverse world of manufacturing.

Courtesy: www.wasteadvantagemag.com