Operations

Faces of Manufacturing 2023: Uniquely Rewarding, Every Day Brings a New Challenge

Oct. 6, 2023

To celebrate Manufacturing Day 2023, we asked manufacturing workers to tell us why they love their vocation. Here are their stories.

Jill Jusko

It takes a village of talent to build a manufactured product, and it's IndustryWeek's pleasure to shine a light on some of the people who embrace the challenge.

See More Manufacturing Day Coverage Here

As we've done in the past few years, IW put out a call for worker profiles for Manufacturing Day. In response, we heard from workers who find great satisfaction in making a tangible product and who like to solve problems. We heard from employees who value team work and who like to teach the next generation. We heard from workers who are enthused about operating cool technologies and others who enjoy helping customers install new equipment and repair older equipment.

We heard from workers who love manufacturing.

Usually, IndustryWeek editors are telling the stories of manufacturers who are making a difference in their industry. This feature is different: The manufacturers themselves are sharing their stories directly.

Enjoy the slideshow.

The following individuals are featured:

Flex: Rahul Katkar
Great Day Improvements: Katherine Devora
Sandvik Coromant: Tracy Rhodes
Designatronics: Keith Bauer
Hatch Stamping Co.: Kalene Nelson
The Raymond Corporation: Michael Kretzmer
Valmet: Thierry Boily
Wabash: Brian Bauman
Red Lion Controls: Laura Burkholder
Orbis Corp.: Todd Wudke
Festo Didactic: Mike Nager

About the Author

Jill Jusko

Bio: Jill Jusko is executive editor for IndustryWeek. She has been writing about manufacturing operations leadership for more than 20 years. Her coverage spotlights companies that are in pursuit of world-class results in quality, productivity, cost and other benchmarks by implementing the latest continuous improvement and lean/Six-Sigma strategies. Jill also coordinates IndustryWeek’s Best Plants Awards Program, which annually salutes the leading manufacturing facilities in North America.

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