First ever statewide Tour of Manufacturing planned October 29

It’s not every day the companies you pass on your way to work invite you in for a tour. On Saturday, October 29, manufacturing companies across the state of Minnesota will do just that. The date will mark the first annual, statewide Tour of Manufacturing.

The Minnesota Precision Manufacturing Association (MPMA), along with Arrowhead Manufacturers and Fabricators Association (AMFA), Central Minnesota Manufacturers Association (CMMA), and Tri-State Manufacturers’ Association are reaching out to their member companies and encouraging them to open their doors for tours.

“Companies in the Mankato and St. Cloud areas have done a manufacturing tour day before,” said Jaime Nolan, executive director of MPMA. “This is the first year all the associations have come together to make the tour day a statewide event.”

Open houses will be held between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., though participating companies can choose the hours they are open. A map of the participating companies, including their open house hours can be found at www.tourofmanufacturingmn.com . “Every day we drive by shops that are making jet engine parts or surgical instruments,” said Nolan. “We don’t realize how high-tech these jobs really are, or how important they are to our economy.”

For more information on the tours, or to learn how to participate, visit www.tourofmanufacturingmn.com or contact one of the following coordinators:

Jaime Nolan jaime@mpma.com 952-564-3041 (Twin Cities / Greater Metro)

Sandy Kashmark midwest@runestone.net 800-654-5773 (Northern Minnesota)

Wayne Anderson waynerta@mywdo.com 320-253-7953 (Central Minnesota)

Liz Sharp lsharp@greatermankato.com 507-385-6641 (Southern Minnesota)

Tags: minnesota news, news, updates, manufacturing