Issue link: http://www.insightdigital.biz/i/80745
print separate, personalized statements without changing a thing on the printer – the computer does it all. the success of his company and other manufacturers. To that end, he noticed in the mid-2000s that a lot of his employees "had gray hair or were going that way" and there didn't seem to be a pipeline of well-trained workers to take their place. "We have a skilled labor shortage in manufacturing. He is convinced that a skilled workforce remains key to " People hear it all the time and it's true. We need workers," Rauscher says. "This isn't just an EMT thing or a New North thing. It's happening across Wisconsin and the country. We are feeling it more intently here because we are so heavily involved in manufacturing. integral role and finding them continues to be a challenge. "There is a lot of competition out there for engineers. There's not enough of them," Rauscher says. That skilled worker shortage was the impetus behind the NEW Manufacturing Alliance. Since EMT designs its own equipment, engineers play an " A champion for manufacturing The environment is also what most outsiders might not expect. The dim, industrial factory most people imagine is replaced by a bright, airy facility where employees work in cells and no two days are the same. Presenting this next generation of manufacturing to the public – especially teenagers and their parents – is one of the NEW Manufacturing Alliance's key initiatives. An aging workforce and the perception that it's a dying, dirty industry are part of the problem. "For a long time, I n Rauscher's mind, the work done at EMT is an example of what manufacturing is today – a fast-paced, challenging workplace using the latest in technology. Manufacturing First Expo & Conference Wednesday, Sept. 26 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. KI Convention Center in Green Bay Website: www.manufacturingfirst.com For more details, see "Connections, P " page 22 aul Rauscher, president of EMT International, will be among the speakers at the second annual Manufacturing First Expo & Conference Sept. 26 at the KI Convention Center in Green Bay. Rauscher and Kristi Jankowski, senior vice president of innovation at Sargento, and Ron Kadlubowski, project-advanced technology manufacturing manager for Karl Schmidt Unisia, will present a breakout session, "Best Practices in Innovation," at 11 a.m. Manufacturing First is an event designed for Wisconsin Manufacturers to showcase industry advances, highlight successes, announce the latest developments, and provide premier networking opportunities. this work, we would need manufacturers to take the lead," she says. "They would need to help guide us about what they're seeing in the industry and the skills they need to succeed. Paul more than stepped up to the plate. Paul's passion and his ability to get out and talk to his colleagues in manufacturing really helped us to grow. involved. Today, the Alliance has a total of 101 members, with 75 of them manufacturers ranging in size from When the Alliance started, there were 12 manufacturers " >>>> >>>>>>>> >> "Educators – for the most part – have a diff they did before we started. There is more is a valid career." –PAUL RAUSCHER people didn't pursue careers in manufacturing or the people out there weren't equipped for what was needed, Rauscher and Franz met in January 2006 to discuss " he says. the lack of skilled workers. Six months later, the NEW Manufacturing Alliance held its first meeting. "I knew manufacturers had to get involved. We had to would know." Franz echoes those sentiments. "When we first started meeting (about the Alliance), it became clear that to make get out there and share our story – what we are doing and what skills we need, " Rauscher says. "If we didn't, no one 30 | INSIGHT • September 2012 giants like Oshkosh Corp. and Marinette Marine to small manufacturers with only a few dozen employees. In addition to manufacturers, educational institutions and workforce development boards also serve as members. "Educators – for the most part – have a different opinion of manufacturing than they did before we started. There is more discussion about how manufacturing is a valid career, need. Low- or no-skill jobs are few and far between. Most everything in manufacturing requires a one-year, two-year or four-year degree. " he says. "It's also out there about the skills we " www. insightonbusiness.com