October kicked off with the celebration of Manufacturing (MFG) Day and we’re continuing to celebrate. Held annually on the first Friday in October, MFG Day celebrates the reality of modern manufacturing careers and seeks to inspire the next generation of employees. Advancements in technology, automation, and robotics continue to transform the manufacturing industry, presenting both challenges and opportunities. Today, there are more open manufacturing jobs than there are skilled workers to fill them. Over the next decade, an estimated four million manufacturing jobs will need to be filled in the U.S. alone.
With over 11,000 employees globally, Mauser Packaging Solutions is committed to reinvigorating the manufacturing workforce. We sat down with Mark Burgess, CEO of Mauser Packaging Solutions, to learn more about his experience in the manufacturing industry and what the company is doing to support the next generation of employees.
What is the most rewarding part of working in a manufacturing company?
Manufacturing companies are the foundation of a strong economy. Our products and services help keep the economy going and affect almost everything in our lives. For example, our packaging helps transport food ingredients to suppliers, stores chemicals used to make our drinking water safe, and provides pharmaceutical products that support the public’s health and safety. Manufacturing is an exciting environment to be part of and at Mauser Packaging Solutions we are focused on utilizing new technology, continuous improvement process discipline, and creativity to push the boundaries of what is possible.
One other fun benefit of working in this industry is the ability to see the fruit of your labor with real, tangible products. It’s fun to point to a package in a movie or tv series and say, “I made that!”
What are some common misconceptions about careers in manufacturing?
Sometimes manufacturing jobs are not considered as exciting as those in consulting, investment banking, or high-tech companies. In reality, manufacturers provide incredible opportunities for people to learn new skills as well as the basics of business which can be utilized at any job and within one’s personal life. For example, a consultant can’t consult unless they understand business and an investment banker cannot make good investment decisions without understanding basic business. A career in manufacturing is a great foundation for learning and can be leveraged in a million different ways in the future.
What advice would you give to someone considering a career in manufacturing?
- Don’t be afraid to get your hands dirty.
- Be curious and ask questions.
- Always ask yourself, “how can we do things better?”
- Learn how to work with people as a team to make the business better.
How is Mauser Packaging Solutions supporting the next generation of manufacturing employees?
First and foremost, we invest in a safe working environment. Nothing is more important than our employees going home safe every day. Safety is a core value at Mauser Packaging Solutions and practicing safety is a daily effort undertaken by all team members.
We also have several programs in place including an apprenticeship program for key technical positions, a traineeship program for recent graduates, and internship opportunities for students to gain valuable on-the-job experience while contributing to real-world projects that impact our business. With a wide range of available job functions, employees can grow both personally and professionally by using our tuition reimbursement program and career pathing opportunities to take on new roles within the company.
Last, but not least, we launched a new program this year for employees to submit ideas that identify opportunities for efficiency improvements, improve safety, reduce waste, or optimize processes. Our employees’ ideas help us all!
To view our current openings in North America, click here.
To view our current openings Internationally, click here.
MFG Day is an initiative of The Manufacturing Institute. The Institute grows and supports the manufacturing industry’s skilled workers for the advancement of modern manufacturing. The Institute’s diverse initiatives support women, veterans, students and workers through skills training programs, community building and supporting the advancement of their career in manufacturing. As the workforce development and education partner of the National Association of Manufacturers, the Institute is a trusted adviser to manufacturers, equipping them with resources necessary to solve the industry’s toughest challenges.
