Manufacturing Engineer Bill Jones (left) and Process Engineer Aaron Loyack (right) of Victaulic speak to a tour of more than 30 students from the Career Institute of Technology at the company's Forks Township facility on Manufacturing Day. (photo courtesy of Victaulic)

Manufacturing is alive and well in the Lehigh Valley, and the region was making sure the world knew about it during Manufacturing Day on Oct. 4.

Held annually on the first Friday in October, Manufacturing Day seeks to draw attention to American manufacturing, highlight exciting career opportunities in the sector, and shift perceptions about the modern U.S. manufacturing industry.

The Lehigh Valley has plenty to brag about when it comes to its manufacturing sector. There are more than 700 manufacturers in the region, and the sector accounts for $7.4 billion – or 18% – of the overall regional economy, which is more economic output than even in the days of Bethlehem Steel.

Several Lehigh Valley companies opened their doors and hosted tours and events to introduce students, teachers, and parents to manufacturing career opportunities here in the region, including Victaulic, B Braun Medical Inc., ATAS International, and Protocam.

“The future of Victaulic relies on getting young people involved early on," said Tim Martin, Victaulic Director of Lehigh Valley Operations. "By showcasing our manufacturing professionals who specialize in programming, robotics and automation integration, the next generation is able to see the future of manufacturing in action now, and learn about the skills they need to succeed."

ATAS International provided a tour of the company's Upper Macungie Township facility during Manufacturing Day.

More than 30 students from the Career Institute of Technology’s machine tool technology program visited Victaulic’s Forks Township facility on Oct. 4 to learn more about manufacturing careers. Manufacturing employees specializing in robotics and machining helped showcase a “day in the life” and what future opportunities abound for students entering the industry.

John Fenstermacher of ATAS International provided a tour of the company's Upper Macungie Township facility, which allowed attendees to experience first-hand the processes in which metal components for building envelopes are manufactured.

Visitors also learned about design opportunities when incorporating metal into residential and commercial building and renovation projects, and attended a panel discussion with company officials about new products, latest additions, and personal experiences in regional manufacturing.

The Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation (LVEDC) spent the day highlighting the regional manufacturing sector across all its social media platforms, including Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and the Instagram account of the Made Possible in Lehigh Valley campaign.

Each post included the hashtags #MFGDay19, #MadeInPA, and #LVmadepossible. Below are a sampling of some of the posts from Twitter and Instagram:

https://twitter.com/LVEDC/status/1180092725930205186?s=20

https://www.instagram.com/p/B3NQ9hYFvOw/

https://twitter.com/LVEDC/status/1180109095522705408?s=20

https://twitter.com/LVEDC/status/1180125442071842817?s=20

https://www.instagram.com/p/B3M44HMHGGG/

https://twitter.com/LVEDC/status/1180190867740602369?s=20