Crowds flock to Manufacturing Day Expo 2017

October 2017     No Comments

It was a day of learning for all ages October 6, as more than a thousand people descended on the Wildcat Field House of the Utica campus to get a first-hand look at the products, technology, and opportunities available right in upstate New York at the annual SUNY Poly Manufacturing Day Expo.

Free and open to the public, SUNY Poly hosted manufacturers, businesses, and educators, as well as community members and students who were interested in manufacturing careers.

Manufacturers from across New York State showcased their products and technologies amongst 60+ interactive exhibits, as well as discuss workforce needs and opportunities with students, the unemployed, underemployed, and veterans.

Among those exhibitors were Danfoss Silicon Power, the German company that makes power modules for the automotive, renewable energy and industrial sectors. Danfoss has recently established a presence on the Utica campus of SUNY Poly in the Quad-C complex, where it will  package power modules in collaboration with General Electric, which manufactures silicon-carbide wafers for the modules at SUNY Poly’s Albany campus.

Also on hand was the American Institute for Manufacturing Integrated Photonics (AIM Photonics), with an information booth where they will highlight the industry driven public-private partnership that focuses the nation’s premiere capabilities and expertise to strengthen U.S. leadership in photonics.

Recently ranked #6 by U.S. News and World Report among Best Colleges for Veterans in Regional Universities (North), SUNY Poly made a concerted effort to attract service members from Fort Drum to the event, ahead of their eventual transition out of military service.

Additionally, middle and high school students from more than 25 school districts were in attendance, learning about the importance of STEM studies in preparing for manufacturing careers.

“This is the sixth year that our college has celebrated Manufacturing Day,” explains Kate Alcott, Associate Director of the Northeast Advanced Technological Education Center (NEATEC) and organizer of the Manufacturing Day Expo. “What started out as a small conference for 50 area manufacturers has grown into a combination trade show, science fair, career expo event for over 1000 people! We had exhibitors from throughout the State including Panasonic Eco Solar Solutions from Buffalo, Naval Nuclear Laboratory from Niskayuna, Keyence Corporation from Rochester, O’Brien & Gere from Syracuse, CVD Equipment from Long Island and The Raymond Corporation from Greene (near Binghamton). The response from manufacturers was incredible this year, with 45 registering exhibits. Almost every one of them indicated that they had positions to fill. Manufacturers realize the importance of building a workforce pipeline by showing off their technologies to students, soon to be veterans and community members. This year we asked exhibitors to display signage if they offered apprenticeships or internships. Educational partners were on hand too with 21 exhibits highlighting programs designed to prepare future manufacturers. Several exhibitors commented that that can’t wait to come back next year, noting they’ve never been so busy fielding questions from such curious participants!”