Chamber panel kicks off month-long Manufacturing 'Day'

As if bragging about the robustness of the manufacturing sector in the Flathead, the local Manufacturing “Day” kicked off on Tuesday at the Kalispell Chamber luncheon and will conclude exactly one month later with the annual Timber Tour.

In between will be a multitude of activities to highlight local high-tech manufacturers, academic opportunities, and the booming distillery, brewery and winery industry

A panel discussion at the kick-off presentation Tuesday at the Red Lion Hotel featured manufacturing leaders discussing the challenges and benefits of manufacturing in the Flathead Valley.

Jason Manger, production manager at Applied Materials in Kalispell, moderated the presentation, asking the panel about the challenges in manufacturing and work force needed to operate in the industry.

The panel also included Jim Wright, vice president of operations at Proof Research; John Lowell, chief operating officer of ViZn Energy; and Bill Nicholson, field engineer at the Montana Manufacturing Extension Center.

“There are challenges, no doubt, but the manufacturing industry is certainly growing,” Manger said. “This is an opportunity for us to showcase our skills and abilities.”

Manufacturing is the largest component of basic industry earnings in Flathead County. Wood products manufacturing contributes 13 percent while other manufacturing contributes 15 percent, according to the Bureau of Business and Economic Research at the University of Montana.

Lowell said that one of the biggest challenges in the industry is simply finding talent from the limited in-state pool of qualified candidates or attracting new employees from out of state.  

“Retaining them isn’t the problem, once they see what life is like in Northwest Montana, but it’s hard to find good talent in Montana” that is already trained, Lowell said.

Wright said that businesses have to be creative in attracting top candidates. Proof Research has implemented a four-day work week to allow employees to enjoy a no-less-than two-day weekend each week, emphasizing a comfortable work environment. Nicholson added that some local companies are providing free snacks and drinks during the day, or adding computers to break rooms and encouraging employees to surf the web before or after work.

Wright said networking is a helpful tool during the hiring process. Having a mutual acquaintance on either side of the process helps alleviate some of the risk for both parties, he said.

When asked about the current state of education and training in the manufacturing industry, Wright noted a foreign education model he had seen during a year spent in Germany, where students are put into apprenticeships in skilled trades as young as fifth grade. The program lasts four to five years before students transition toward a more advanced apprenticeship in specialized trades.

“We’re doing great at our schools here,” Wright said. “But we might be able to take a step back and learn something from that (process).”

Lowell said that additional challenges in the manufacturing industry include supply sources and transportation in the Flathead Valley. Several manufacturers are already outsourcing elements of their process to companies in Seattle or Silicon Valley, where supplies are readily available.

Chamber of Commerce President Joe Unterreiner said he was impressed with the turnout at the Tuesday luncheon, exhibiting an increased public interest from last year’s Manufacturing Day.

“There’s a lot of curiosity and interest in the work that’s being done at these firms,” Unterreiner said.

Unterreiner said this year’s event will be generally bigger than last year’s event, which featured nine tours and 320 participants. This year’s Manufacturing Day hosts 20 tours between Sept. 25 and Oct. 22.

The Chamber is also working more closely with local education institutions in this year’s Manufacturing Day, promoting manufacturing programs at Flathead Valley Community College and Flathead and Glacier high schools.

Manger said Applied Materials’ role has changed this year after becoming a key sponsor in the event.

“We’ve sort of taken a lead this year,” Manger said. “It’s important that we get involved for our employees and show that the work we do is valuable.”

The month-long event continues Friday with the South Brewery, Winery and Distillery Tour covering the Tamarack Brewing Company, Mission Mountain Winery, Whistling Andy and Flathead Lake Brewing Company from 12 to 4 p.m. The brewery tour has a $50 fee.

Registration for individual tours is available by using the “Find an Event” tab at www.mfgday.com. Unterreiner encourages early sign-up.

Reporter Seaborn Larson can be reached at 758-4441 or by email at slarson@gmail.com.