If you think there’s no future in manufacturing, think again. Kalamazoo area manufacturers say they’re always looking for qualified candidates and so are their peers across the nation. Even with the shaky economy, manufacturers have thrived and remained relevant because they’ve adapted.

“A lot has changed over time,” said Mark Welch, General Manager at Kalamazoo’s Flowserve Corporation. Welch has worked for the company for 19 years. He is a mechanical engineer who started out as a laboratory test technician. “Today’s manufacturing requires advanced skills in computers and math because the new equipment operates with advanced electronics and computer logic.  We are using LASER technology to machine component to the millionth of an inch. The environment is very clean and very safe, we take pride in that because our most important asset is the people.”  



Flowserve’s Kalamazoo site manufactures mechanical seals that are used in industrial pumps and other rotating equipment.  They are precision devices machined to high tolerances from specialty metals. Mechanical seals touch our everyday life. The applications range from drinking water distribution to gasoline refining. Welch said skilled positions are available in many departments at Flowserve and there are many opportunities for growth. Welch said the ideal candidate has solid “soft skills” like punctuality, dependability, dedication and the ability to work well with others. Applicants with good technical and math skills are always in demand. If you can read blue prints and use your hands and mind to solve problems, you may be well suited for a job in manufacturing. Welch said, “There’s great career potential in manufacturing. Coming into manufacturing as an entry level position still provides a lot of opportunity to grow a career.”

Kim Davies, Site Safety Manager at Flowserve, agrees. “It’s a wonderful work environment,” he said. “It’s a clean environment and a safe environment. The atmosphere in this facility is as clean as any restaurant or hospital. We’re very proud of our work environment.” Davies said that caring attitude is evident throughout the company. “Our managers know employees’ name and their wives’ and childrens’ names,” he said.

Davies said that when he first started working at Flowserve, he didn’t intend to stay for long. He quickly grew to love his work and his co-workers. “I was fascinated by the machines and the types of products we were producing,” he said. “I made great friends. We still have that family-like atmosphere.” Davies said wages in manufacturing are extremely competitive. It’s not unreasonable to make $50,000 to $60,000 when you include overtime. Even without overtime, the salary provides a comfortable living, he said. “If you only work 40 hours a week, you’ll make enough,” he said.

Bill Wilson, Flowserve’s Manufacturing/Engineering Manager has been with the company for 23 years. Wilson said, “It has been rewarding to see our migration from the many manual machine tools to the two and four axis turning centers, to the integrated five axis multitasking machines that we utilize today. All of our employees have benefited from this growth in technology as it offers the opportunity to expand their skills and knowledge base. Some of the most talented people within our manufacturing Engineering group are those who came from our production team. They have the opportunity to continue their education and apply their problem-solving skills to all areas of our operation. Opportunity is whatever you make it.”

Diane Finch, Director of Student Career and Employment Services at Kalamazoo Valley Community College, said Career Fair participants who are searching for jobs should bring copies of their resumes, dress for success and be prepared to meet with potential employers. Employers who wish to participate in the Career Fair may register online at www.kalamazoocareerfair.com. Reservations are due by Jan. 16, 2012. A list of participating employers, video interviews with area employers, tips for job seekers and other details are also available on the Career Fair website at www.kalamazoocareerfair.com. For more information contact Diane Finch at 269-488-4603.

The Consortium includes over 26 area manufacturing companies, plus Kalamazoo Valley Community College, Kalamazoo/St. Joseph Michigan Works!, Southwest Michigan First, HRM Innovations LLC, Kalamazoo Regional Educational Service Agency, Glen Oaks Community College, and the St. Joseph County Economic Development Commission.
Since January 2011, the group has held industry focus groups and team meetings to develop action plans to address the concerns of area manufacturers regarding the challenge to fill open positions. The initial collaboration was developed by area manufacturers, KVCC, Kalamazoo/St Joseph Michigan Works! and Southwest Michigan First. Topics that the group discusses include recruiting more candidates into manufacturing careers; identifying individuals who have talents best suited to the manufacturing environment; and key elements needed in an advanced manufacturing, competency-based training academy. David Maurer, Director of Sales and Manufacturing at Kalamazoo’s 110-year-old Humphrey Products company said he thinks the Consortium and its efforts are a boon to the area. “We have always felt that having a strong foundation of local manufacturers and a skilled and engaged manufacturing workforce was the finest economic development plan ever conceived,” Maurer said. “We’re thrilled to be associated with initiatives such as this that help to move that message into the forefront and what’s more, make it a reality for this community.”

Maurer said throughout his company’s long history, there have almost always been more jobs available than qualified applicants. He explained, “It has almost always been the case that regardless of the circumstance, we have had good jobs available for the most competent and well prepared people – and it has to be more than just a coincidence that during those periods where we had our best prepared and most committed employees, we also enjoyed our best success as a company. Hence, the attraction and development of
the very best people into careers in manufacturing not only helps to ensure the future success of Humphrey, but that success renews our ability to reward those folks with a competitive and fair compensation package.”

Maurer said a well trained manufacturing work force translates into a healthier community overall. “Because manufacturing a good provides our community with the opportunity to export that good to another region or even another country, we have the rather unique capability of bringing dollars from outside the community into it,” he said. “These dollars can then be turned multiple times in our community providing jobs and wages to yet others.”

Tim St. Onge, Vice President of Operations for Eliason Corporation, a company that has been operating for over 60-years and makes double-action traffic doors, said he’s involved in the Consortium because he has a hard time finding skilled, qualified workers. While he is willing to teach new employees the technical skills that they need to work for him, St. Onge said he’s been most surprised that so many candidates lack basic “soft skills” like initiative, organizational skills and punctuality. These are issues that the Consortium continues to explore and is working to address. St. Onge said he likes being a part of the Consortium because it involves “a lot of minds coming together and a lot of talent working together.”
All meetings take place at KVCC’s M-TEC location at The Groves. The next full group meeting is scheduled for Dec. 9 at 7:30am. Future meetings will be scheduled as the group’s action plan is developed and implemented.

For more information, contact Trish Schroeder, Director of Corporate Training at MTEC, pschroeder@kvcc.edu or 269.353.1275.