Issue link: https://nebusinessmedia.uberflip.com/i/1166208
F A L L 2 0 1 9 / S T U F F M A D E I N M A I N E I n a state where the median age keeps getting older, it's nice to see so many young people getting involved in manufacturing. As Larry Robinson, president of the Maine Manufacturing Extension Partnership, says in a Q&A in these pages, "Manufacturers realize they are at the leading edge of the baby boomer retirement. With those retirements, decades of know-how is also retiring." Happily, as we can see in the stories in this issue of Stuff Made in Maine, young people are flocking to boatbuilding, aerospace, robotics and STEM fields in general. One such young worker, Hal- ey Follett-Thomas of Back Cove Yachts in Rockland, profiled in Senior Writer Laurie Schreiber's "Faces of manufacturing" story, says there's great satisfaction to be had from being part of a team that's building something. "Seeing your handiwork on a Maine-made product is amazing," she says. "It's awesome to see a finished product that you've put all your effort into, and to say, 'Wow, I was part of that.'" Keith Ward, who is working for one of Maine's fastest-growing manufacturing firms, F3 Manufac- turing in Waterville, talks about the career possibilities. "You do the job and they don't just pay you, they look at you as, 'This man does a good job.' If you have initiative, you'll go far," Ward says. In Senior Writer Renee Cordes' story about robotics programs, high school students talk about their joy in solving robotics problems. "I went to high school not entirely sure about my career interests. By the end of it, robotics really put me on this path of engineering," says Annie deCastro, a Falmouth High school graduate and incoming fresh- man in the University of Michigan's mechanical engineering program. As Nick Stinson, director of design engineering at ON Semi- conductor in South Portland, says: "Robotics programs give students an opportunity to experience an environment they might be exposed to in a real-world environment." We couldn't have said it better. We hope you enjoy this look at the possibilities you'll find in the manufacturing sector in Maine. n — Peter Van Allen Editor, Mainebiz Letter 5 In a state where the median age keeps getting older, it's nice to see so many young people getting involved in manufacturing. Manufacturing is cool, but don't take our word for it Helping Manufacturers Succeed To request a complimentary assessment call 207-623-0680 or visit www.mainemep.org. " Maine Manufacturing Extension Partnership … not only provided us with a blue print, but also completely transformed our organization. The skills that [Maine MEP] has taught our organization has had an IMMEDIATE impact. We are working smarter, the team is communicating, and most importantly, the team gets it! This training should be mandatory for all Maine companies and organizations." — Brian Skoczenski COO Ready Seafood Co. »Operational Excellence »Innovation & Growth »Workforce Development Maine Manufacturing Extension Partnership