TMA hosts annual Mayors & Manufacturers Breakfast

On Tuesday morning, Sept. 26, the Technology & Manufacturing Association hosted the annual Mayors & Manufacturers Breakfast. Elected officials and manufacturers came together to discuss the challenges that currently face the manufacturing community.

Manufacturing in Illinois has seen a resurgence. In recent decades U.S. manufacturing has adapted to become more precise, and higher value thanks to improved technology and cloud-based manufacturing. The breakfast allows elected officials and manufacturers to engage in candid conversations in order to keep Illinois manufacturers competitive in local and global markets.

Elected officials who attended: state Rep. Michelle Mussman (D-Schaumburg); Streamwood Village Manager Sharon Caddigan; Maywood Mayor Edwenna Perkins; Streamwood Village President Billie Roth; Burr Ridge Mayor Mickey Staub; Broadview Village President Katrina Thompson; Addison Mayor Rich Veenstra; Hanover Park Mayor Rodney Craig, plus several trustees and village board members.

"Manufacturing in Illinois accounts for 9.5 percent of our workforce," said Hanover Park Mayor Rodney Craig. "It's important that we continue these conversations to ensure a healthy and prosperous manufacturing industry. I have worked with TMA for years, and together we found solutions to the challenges our local manufacturers are facing, including a skilled workforce shortage. TMA's excellent on-site training is providing another career option for those in our community to consider."

"Many would be surprised to learn that U.S. manufacturing output is at an all-time high," said Steve Rauschenberger, president of TMA. "The resurgence of manufacturing in Illinois has presented a variety of challenges that could hinder growth. As precision machining continues on the upswing, manufacturers are scrambling for skilled employees for today's manufacturing jobs. TMA looks to close that skills gap."

"American manufacturing today is about precision and reliability," said Zach Mottl, chief alignment officer for Atlas Tool Works, a business his family started nearly 100 years ago. "As a trustee for my village and a manufacturer, I am able to understand both sides of the issues that face communities and manufacturers. This breakfast is a great opportunity for me to engage the right people to find solutions as a manufacturer and an elected official."