Modern Manufacturing on Display - Making It in KC Showcases Manufacturing's Finest

Kansas City, Mo. --- On Thursday, June 23, a group of 100 representatives from area manufacturers, career and technical colleges, and civic leadership met to celebrate the innovation of local manufacturers at the Making It in KC Annual Manufacturing Crawl and Awards event sponsored by the Alliance for Innovation in Manufacturing (AIM-KC), Mid America Manufacturing Technology Center (MAMTC), Kansas City Manufacturing Network (KCMN), and the Missouri Enterprise Business Assistance Center.

The Manufacturing Crawl featured tours of Dimensional Innovations, a full service architectural signage and design assist firm based in Overland Park; Lenexa-based Corporate Express' InteliMail division, which offers production of direct-mail materials; Unitech, Inc., a precision machining tools manufacturer in Lee's Summit; and Unitech's sister company, Advanced Coatings, Inc., a paint and industrial coatings facility, also of Lee's Summit.

Crawl participants were able to get an inside look at each of the facilities where they learned about new state-of-the-art manufacturing technologies, as well as the skill and craftsmanship of those working in manufacturing careers.

Following the crawl, five area manufacturers were recognized in an awards ceremony at Arrowhead Stadium for commitment to excellence in manufacturing: Haldex Brake Products, Robbie Manufacturing, Standard Motor Products, Inc., DIT-MCO, and Deluxe Financial Services, Inc.

"Manufacturers in Kansas City are demonstrating tremendous dedication to technology, innovation and efficiency, and as a result, are competing successfully nationally and globally," said Paul Scianna, executive director for AIM-KC. "But, if we don't inspire young people to consider manufacturing as a career choice, we will face a serious shortage of skilled workers in the manufacturing sector. Events like Making It in KC are designed to update public perceptions of manufacturing careers, and to inspire young people to consider the great opportunities in manufacturing."