Changing Workforce (CONT’D FROM PAGE 26)
Board Converting NEWS INTERNET DIRECTORY
if manufacturers can provide tours of their facilities that showcase the use of robotics and how automation is im- pacting jobs, students are going to be interested.” As evidence as to how much the manufacturing indus- try must do to re-educate the younger generation, Hall of- fers the following example: “When students are asked about their current views on manufacturing, it is still viewed as a dark, dirty, dull, dan- gerous, dumb industry that our grandparents used to work in and our parents discouraged their kids from going into. We need to figure out how we change the perception of the industry.” In a current study that Hall performed with 12,000 stu- dents, only 3.5 percent of the respondents had a favorable view of manufacturing. So how do companies work to change the perception of what manufacturing is? According to Hall, we need to bet- ter understand who Millennials and Gen Z’s are, who our future workers are, and how the workforce has changed. “Not long ago, manufacturing was the highest paid en- try level position a person could get,” he said. “Graduating from high school, if you wanted to make money and you wanted to make the best money, you worked in manufac- turing. “Today workers can choose the hours they want to work, have the flexibility,” he continued. “It’s a huge bene- fit. But, while we can’t offer the same flexibility in manufac- turing, we have benefits, 401Ks, mentorship, health plans. And, perhaps most importantly, if you work hard, you can get promoted. The gig economy does not offer any of that. You’re not going to work for grubhub or Lyft and work there for five years and get promoted. That doesn’t happen.” Hall recommends box converters look around their fa- cilities for ways in which they may be alienating the new workforce. “The younger generation learns much differently than past generations,” he said. “Look around your manufactur- ing floor. Are you still using paper-based work instructions? Are you still using three ring binders? Are you still using whiteboards and post-it notes to do preventative mainte- nance, to run production, to track data? Or are you using digital tools and information and digital work instructions and a computerized maintenance management system to make sure your production is running? “Because I guarantee you,” he continued, “if a genera- tion who has only grown up with digital technology feels like they are going back in time 20 or 30 years when they walk into a manufacturing floor, their first thought is going to be: If they’re not investing in technology, do I really ex- pect them to invest in me? “So the perception and how do you leverage digital tools and how you leverage the way we work and the way we learn is extremely important to manufacturing. Another way in which the workforce has changed for- CONTINUED ON PAGE 30
ARC INTERNATIONAL www.ARCInternational.com
ARC International is a world leader in the manufacturing of roller products for flexography. The latest nano-technology laser engraving in our NC and NV manufacturing facilities ensures superior quality and consistency in anilox rollers.
AES (ADVANCED EQUIPMENT SALES) www.aesales.net
AES is a leading full-service provider of integrated convey- ance systems specializing in scrap, trim, and dust. AES en- gineers custom scrap systems and works as a partner in process improvement to help businesses achieve greater profitability, productivity, and sustainability. Products include balers, shredders/hoggers, core shredders, filters, fans, and specialized dust control and collection systems. AES is the ex- clusive distributor for the AirShark Rotary Material Separator. For a wide variety of new and used equipment on to- day’s market, visit our website at www.acm-corp.com. BAUMER HHS CORPORATION www.baumerhhs.com hhs is a global leader in advanced gluing, camera verifica- tion and quality assurance systems for the packaging indus- try. Zero-defect quality and elevated production speeds are key parameters in the manufacturing of corrugated boxes. With hhs Xcam Box Monitoring and non-contact flap gluing of corrugated board, hhs offers every option for quality as- surance in the production of boxes with flexo folder gluers. AMERICAN CORRUGATED MACHINE www.acm-corp.com BLOWER APPLICATION COMPANY (BLOAPCO) www.BloApCo.com BloApCo has served the corrugated industry since 1933 with a variety of scrap handling solutions, including Hori- zontal Floor Shredders, Trim Cutters, and Material Handling Fans and Conveying Systems. BloApCo Shredders allow for continuous shredding and pneumatic removal of sheet waste stacks of all sizes, roll slab, cores, and carton scrap.
CORRUGATED MACHINERY SPECIALISTS www.cmsretrofits.com
Leading manufacturer and installer of quality retrofits, up- grades and replacement parts for S&S and Prime Flexo Folder Gluers. Specialists in reconditioning of S&S Flexo Folder Gluers, including ink, air and electrical systems.
CORRUGATOR BELT SERVICE LLC www.corrugator.com
Serving the corrugated box industry since 1991, Chicago- based Corrugator Belt Service LLC maintains corru- gator belts for peak board quality and performance.
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January 20, 2025
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