Celebrating National Manufacturing Day 2024

National Manufacturing Day celebrates the hardworking Americans who build the products and materials we rely on daily. Often abbreviated as MFG Day, it falls on the first Friday of every October. In 2024, October 4 is National Manufacturing Day. As a concrete floor coating company, we understand the importance of durable, high-quality flooring in the manufacturing industry. In this post, we’ll take a closer look at this national holiday that honors the ingenuity and craftsmanship of the American worker.

What Is the History Behind Manufacturing Day?

The first officially recognized MFG Day was in 2012, when then-governor of New Jersey Chris Christie proclaimed the holiday. Former United States President Obama declared Manufacturing Day a national holiday in 2014. Since its creation, thousands of businesses and trade schools nationwide have worked together to celebrate the manufacturing industry.

This industry creates everything from clothing to electronics to medical equipment. Manufacturers work with all sorts of materials, such as:

• Chemicals

• Wood

• Plastics

• Fabrics

• Metals

• Glass

• Food and ingredients

In recent years, one of the largest-growing facets of the manufacturing sector is semiconductors for electric vehicles. Due to supply chain issues and factory shutdowns in 2020, we are still recovering from a global chip shortage. As a way to combat the shortage, the US government has created incentives for domestic semiconductor production.

New electric vehicle component manufacturers have begun building factories across America. All of these businesses will need young STEM graduates to contribute their skills and education to the workforce. For Manufacturing Day 2024, there will be new job opportunities in this expanding field.

The future of manufacturing promises the development of new machinery and building techniques. While automation is bound to play a bigger role in manufacturing, skilled workers will still be essential to the industry, which is why Manufacturing Day is so vital.

How People Celebrate Manufacturing Day

National Manufacturing Day serves several different purposes as a holiday. The first is to celebrate workers in the manufacturing industry, as well as the workers of previous generations who helped build the thriving industry we enjoy today. However, the holiday also has a practical function as an opportunity for education.

In 2024, the demand for skilled labor in the manufacturing industry is higher than ever before. A staggering 622,000 jobs remain unfilled in the sector. On Manufacturing Day, manufacturers partner with high schools, technical colleges, and engineering schools to promote careers in this growth industry. Between a retiring generation of manufacturing workers and the development of new technology, the industry offers a massive opportunity for a successful career. These businesses also need facilities that can withstand the daily wear and tear of manufacturing.

The Importance of Concrete Flooring in Manufacturing Facilities

An often overlooked part of Manufacturing Day is the facilities that make large-scale manufacturing possible. Concrete is a popular flooring option for manufacturing facilities because it is durable and cost-effective. However, since concrete is a porous material, choosing the right floor coating is also important. Concrete coating options for commercial buildings include:

• Epoxy: Ideal for manufacturing environments, epoxy is easy to clean, chemical resistant, and gives concrete floors a long-lasting shine.

• Polyurethane: Polyurethane floors offer UV stability and won’t yellow in direct sunlight, making them a good option for concrete floors exposed to the elements.

• Novolac: For companies that handle harsh chemicals, Novolac is dense at the molecular level to resist acid, extreme heat, and chemical spills.

• Urethane Mortar: As many manufacturing businesses take on green, eco-friendly initiatives, urethane mortar may be appealing for its lack of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and superior durability.

• Concrete Staining: For smaller facilities that don’t need as much protection, concrete staining is a visually pleasing and moisture-resistant addition to concrete floors

• Concrete Sealant: Known for their traction and moisture resistance, concrete sealants are a great option for facilities with heavy foot traffic or forklifts.

Supporting the Companies that Observe Manufacturing Day with Quality Flooring Solutions

This Manufacturing Day, we celebrate the skilled craftsmen who keep manufacturing alive. It’s also important to recognize the value of safe, productive work environments for manufacturers. Durable, low-maintenance concrete floors are one of the best ways to keep a facility running efficiently.

To all the manufacturing businesses in the greater Charlotte area and across America, we extend our heartfelt gratitude for the fine work you do. We also encourage you to contact us for more information on protecting your facility with one of our high-quality floor coatings. Contact us today to schedule your free consultation with one of our flooring experts!