When you imagine a rural versus an urban manufacturing company, that picture might look a bit different. But some things are the same. Both types of manufacturers face challenges, but do they face different ones?
The good news is that there are some incredible people and businesses in the industry who are on a mission to bridge connections, build up local communities, and train future talent to solve those challenges.
Live from the Midwest Manufacturers Trade Show & Conference, we sit down with three manufacturing champions to talk about the different challenges facing rural and urban-based manufacturers. We chat about the great work that companies and individuals are doing to raise awareness of the opportunities in manufacturing and connect the dots between businesses and future talent.
You’ll hear from Krisi Schell, Executive VP of HR at SRC Holdings Corporation, Chris Oravec, the Director at L&R Industries, and Manufacturing Happy Hour regular Drew Crowe, Founder of the New American Manufacturing Renaissance. Krisi, Chris, and Drew all bring their experiences of different sides of manufacturing, what they’ve learned about connecting with the local community and solving the talent shortage issue.
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3 Quick Things from this Episode
- Investing in the local community, in organizations, schools, charities, is a win-win for everyone. The community gets the support, and you get to spread brand awareness and develop long-term connections with potential talent.
- At SRC Holdings, they have a culture of businesspeople. Open about their financials with everyone in the organization, this encourages a sense of ownership and transparency.
- When manufacturing left inner cities for rural areas, it lost its significance with a lot of people. Fewer were considering it as a career path, but part of the work that Drew’s been doing is to raise awareness of the opportunities. And it’s working!
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Tweetable Quotes
- “Being conscious of what you give to the community is where you are able to build that brand and build those relationships and then attract the talent that you need.” – Krisi Schell
- “If you can get an employee to buy into, say putting a new product line in, they want to be involved in that project. And the company wants them to be involved. Your productivity is going to go through the roof.” – Chris Oravec
- “ When manufacturing left the inner cities, it almost took that middle class with it. And it took a lot of opportunity with it.” – Drew Crowe
Please Scroll Down for Recommended Resources from this Episode
Do you want to connect with other leaders that are moving the needle in manufacturing everyday? Then make sure to join us in the Manufacturing Happy Hour Industry Community on LinkedIn.
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What We Discuss with Krisi, Chris, and Drew
- How to make a company people want to work for – Krisi explains SRC Holdings’ approach to building a company culture of businesspeople
- Why more organizations don’t open up their finances to the employees despite the positive impact on SRC Holdings
- Some background on SRC Holdings Corporation as a job saver and creator
- The benefits of organizations, particularly in rural areas, investing in the local community
- Krisi’s advice for manufacturing leaders to build their culture and community
- Chris gives us a backstory on his company as a family-owned, small-town manufacturer
- How L&R Industries manages to attract and retain talent by looking after its people
- The different ways L&R Industries gets involved with and gives back to the community
- Chris’ advice for attracting and retaining talent, plus building connections with other organizations
- What Drew has learned from traveling around the country to talk to manufacturers
- The different challenges for rural-based manufacturers vs. those in the inner cities
- Drew explains the two main parts of his mission – raising awareness and building connections between organizations and potential talent
- Strategies that are working for rural and urban manufacturers and how to get the right people involved to solve challenges
Recommended Resources
- SRC Holdings, helping Original Equipment Manufacturers sell parts and whole goods through custom remanufacturing programs
- L&R Industries, producing large and complex heavy-duty industrial metal fabrications
- Drew ‘The MFG’ Crowe, inspiring the next generation of manufacturing leaders
- The Great Game of Business, written by Jack Stack; an open-book approach to management
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