
Celebrating Manufacturers in Western Kansas this Manufacturing Day
October 5, 2023
Manufacturing jobs tend to get a bad rap, as they are often associated with repetitive tasks in dull workspaces. Manufacturing today, though, requires workers to get creative to come up with innovative ideas and use the latest technologies to produce advanced products for consumers.
Western Kansas is home to manufacturing companies producing goods using the latest technologies and raw materials. Kicking off on Manufacturing Day — Friday, October 6 — and continuing throughout the month, we at WKREDA celebrate these companies’ employment opportunities and innovations that grow our economy.
Modern Manufacturing
Manufacturing Day helps show the reality of modern manufacturing careers by encouraging thousands of companies and educational institutions nationwide to open their doors to students, parents, teachers, and community leaders. Manufacturing careers are full of opportunities for exciting endeavors, personal advancement, and stability.
“There’s no such thing as a low-skilled job in manufacturing anymore,” NAM Chief Economist Chad Moutray said in a 2023 Industry Outlook article for Manufacturing Dive.
Today’s typical manufacturing roles incorporate the latest technology like artificial intelligence, cloud computing and robotics into existing processes, quality control and problem-solving techniques. Additionally, sustainability is quickly becoming a focused aspect of manufacturing as companies seek to find ways to produce customary items in manners that coexist positively with their natural environment.
Western Kansas has Numerous Benefits for Manufacturing Companies.
Western Kansas offers several advantages to national and global manufacturing companies. Among them are infrastructure assets such as a central location for convenient shipping, low input costs, and a well-trained labor force.
Robust transportation access in Western Kansas allows businesses to receive raw materials and ship finished products quickly and efficiently to and from major markets throughout the country. Sites and buildings are available for manufacturing companies looking to expand. Here, businesses have the room they need to grow, and local economic developers are available to make it easy to find the perfect location. In some instances, financial incentives make the move an even better investment.
Western Kansas’s workforce is plentiful, drawing on a large labor force. Additionally, workers possess skills applicable to the manufacturing industry, while employers utilize the Kansas Industrial Training (KIT) Program to build those skills specific to their operation.
In 2007, the WKREDA team developed the “We Have Jobs” initiative. The Western Kansas Jobs website, with at least 20,000 visitors per month, offers a simple way to explore Western Kansas job opportunities while discovering the features of specific job locations.
Leaders in Western Kansas
Many manufacturers have realized success due to the favorable economic environment in Western Kansas. These manufacturers are leaders in combining the latest technology and good workplace practices to produce high-quality products and consistently innovate to progress their industries. WKREDA is proud that these companies have made their home here.
- ABCO Wire
- AGCO
- Amber Waves
- Applequist Manufacturing
- Arlwin Manufacturing
- Blattner Manufacturing
- Broce Broom
- C5 Manufacturing
- Callicrate Manufacturing
- Cashco
- Cross Manufacturing
- Curtis Machine
- Denning Machine
- Double T Industries
- Dragon-Line
- Finn Kool
- Flame Engineering
- Fuller Industries
- Great Bend Industries
- Great Plains Manufacturing
- Harper Industries
- Hess Services
- Holcomb Scraper
- KBK Industries
- Kitchens Inc
- Liberal Gasket
- MaiCo Industries
- MCM Manufacturing
- Midway Manufacturing
- Miltech Machine
- MJE Livestock Equipment
- Moly Manufacturing
- Natoma Manufacturing
- New Age Industrial
- Nu Life Market
- Osborne Industries
- Palmer Manufacturing and Tank
- Premier Tillage
- Pro-Bound Sports
- RANS Designs
- Redbarn Pet Products
- Roadruner Manufacturing
- Ross Mfg Inc
- Roto Mix
- Sizewise
- SurePoint Ag Systems
- T&C Manufacturing
- TAMKO Building Products
- Wilkens Manufacturing
Kansas is a State for Manufacturing Growth
Manufacturing’s importance in Western Kansas and throughout the state comes from its stability and growth, ultimately creating jobs and economic opportunities for local communities. Manufacturing contributes over $28.68 billion to the Gross State Product annually, according to the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM).
In 2021, Kansas boasted $9.93 billion in exported manufacturing goods. 11.84 percent of workers in the state are employed in the Kansas manufacturing industry, with an average annual compensation of $79,722.51.
Showcase your Manufacturing Operation
Manufacturing Day offers manufacturers in Western Kansas an opportunity to help familiarize our community with what the company does and what positions are available. Hosting a Manufacturing Day event can help students, parents, teachers, community leaders, and the future Western Kansas workforce to get an in-depth understanding of career paths in today’s manufacturing world. We encourage manufacturers throughout the region to use the Manufacturing Institute’s toolkit as a guide for setting up tours at your place of business.
We at WKREDA understand that manufacturing is incredibly valuable to local economies and residents of Western Kansas. Call us today at (800) 982-3501 or email us at wkreda.ks@gmail.com for more information about manufacturing opportunities in our area!