Gov. Walker: Celebrates Manufacturing Month at Manufacturing First Expo & Conference

Contact: Tom Evenson, (608) 266-2839

GREEN BAY – Governor Scott Walker delivered remarks today celebrating Manufacturing Month and highlighting the remarkable history and impact manufacturing has in Wisconsin at the Annual Manufacturing First Expo and Conference, which was held at the KI Convention Center in Green Bay. Governor Walker recently proclaimed October as Manufacturing Month in Wisconsin, and this annual expo marks one of the largest manufacturing-focused events in the state. As of September 2017, Wisconsin has created an estimated 39,700 manufacturing jobs and ranked in the top ten in the nation for manufacturing job creation since Governor Walker took office.

“The importance of manufacturing in Wisconsin cannot be understated”, said Governor Walker. “It supports our families and hardworking taxpayers by employing over 460,000 Wisconsinites, and accounts for over 18 percent of our total economic output. The manufacturing industry and its highly-skilled workforce are a major driving force in moving Wisconsin forward.”

Presented by First Business in partnership with Insight and NEW Manufacturing Alliance, the annual Manufacturing First Expo & Conference gives manufacturers in Wisconsin the opportunity to network with others and grow their businesses through partnership and collaboration. It offers specific programming lectures in various areas, including social media marketing, safety, technology, leadership training, talent and growth strategy development, which allow attendees to choose the best fit for them and their business. This year’s keynote speaker Bill Taylor, Founding Editor of Fast Company and Best-Selling author, is known for challenging conventional ways of thought in business and leadership.

Wisconsin’s manufacturing industry produces more than $56 billion worth of output annually and accounted for over 94 percent of Wisconsin’s exports in 2016. Further, workers in the manufacturing sector earn an average of $55,348 annually, which is 20 percent higher than the average private sector compensation, according to Quarterly Census of Employment & Wages. They also have a 13 percent better chance of having health insurance benefits through an employer when compared to the average of all Wisconsin workers.

Governor Walker proclaimed the month of October as Manufacturing Month to highlight career opportunities in the industry and the vital role manufacturing plays in Wisconsin’s economy and culture. To learn more about Manufacturing Month, visit www.wimanufacturingmonth.org.