MADISON – Gov. Tony Evers proclaimed October as Manufacturing Month, and Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce (WMC) will be promoting the state’s top industry throughout the month.
Manufacturing is the number one contributor to Wisconsin’s economy, producing $63 billion in total output in 2018 – 19 percent of Wisconsin’s total Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Additionally, the state’s more than 9,000 manufacturers employed 475,000 people in 2018.
“Wisconsin’s economy is driven by manufacturing,” said WMC President & CEO Kurt Bauer. “For every manufacturing job created, three to four employees are hired in other sectors. That is why Manufacturing Month is critical promoting the things we make in Wisconsin, the manufacturing careers available throughout the state and the industry as a whole.”
WMC will officially kick off Manufacturing Month on Friday, Oct. 4 – National Manufacturing Day – with the first top on the State of Wisconsin Manufacturing Tour in Green Bay. The event will feature a panel of manufacturing executives speaking about challenges and trends in the industry, highlighting the products their companies make and offering solutions to the industry’s well-known workforce shortage.
The Manufacturing Tour will also make stops in Milwaukee on Oct. 8, where National Association of Manufacturers President & CEO Jay Timmons will deliver keynote remarks and the Coolest Thing Made in Wisconsin winner will be announced; Wausau on Oct. 16 and Madison on Oct. 23, where Department of Workforce Development Secretary Caleb Frostman will deliver keynote remarks and take part in an executive panel.
In addition, manufacturers all across the state are opening their doors to communities and Wisconsinites to showcase the industry and highlight the rewarding careers available to those interested in manufacturing.
A full list of events throughout the state and more information about Manufacturing Month is available at WIManufacturingMonth.org.
