Celebrate National Manufacturing Month This October!
The International Trade Administration and the U.S. government acknowledge October as Manufacturing Month. The official kickoff of National Manufacturing Month is Manufacturing Day, held annually on the first Friday of October. In 2024, Manufacturing Day falls on Friday, October 4.
According to the Manufacturing Institute, Manufacturing Day “ …helps show the reality and future of modern manufacturing careers by encouraging thousands of companies and educational institutions around the nation to open their doors to students, parents, educators, and community leaders.”
Manufacturing is a cornerstone of the U.S. economy. According to the National Institute of Standards and Technology, in 2022, manufacturing contributed approximately $2.3 trillion to the U.S. GDP and provided approximately 15.2 million jobs. Yet, despite its impact, the sector faces a growing skills gap, with hundreds of thousands of unfilled positions.
National Manufacturing Month's goals are to highlight manufacturing’s role in innovation, job creation, and economic growth and to address the skills gap by showcasing the diverse career paths available, from advanced robotics and automation to engineering and logistics. The month also addresses challenges and opportunities within the sector, including workforce development and technological advancements.
Events such as factory tours, educational programs, and conferences are held to raise awareness, foster connections between businesses and communities, and inspire the next generation of manufacturers.
The month also helps to promote STEM education (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math). Many schools, community colleges, and technical institutions partner with manufacturers to offer career exploration workshops, STEM competitions, and hands-on learning experiences, with the goal of sparking interest in fields such as robotics, mechatronics, 3D printing, and engineering—skills that are in high demand in today’s job market.
National Manufacturing Month is also an excellent opportunity to acknowledge manufacturing company employees. Many companies hold employee appreciation events to help boost morale and underscore the importance of the workforce in the company’s success.
At Austin Hardware, we’re fortunate to have great relationships with hundreds of manufacturers, whether they’re our vendors or our customers. We appreciate the opportunity to work with manufacturers on both sides who share our fundamental values:
National Manufacturing Month is more than a celebration of what manufacturing has achieved. It represents a look toward what is to come. Community engagement, showcasing new technologies, and education investment help to support manufacturing’s future. Business owners, educators, students, and community members can all use this month as an opportunity to support the innovation and creativity that make U.S. manufacturing a global leader.