Page 17 - LRCC October 2022 Focus

have state-of-the-art education
opportunities for local students. LRCC Members in
Manufacturing
Part of the challenge of attracting
students into manufacturing
programs has been educating parents
about the changing nature of manufacturing In celebration of October as National Manufacturing
and the opportunities involved, as compared to Month, The Lansing Regional Chamber of
Commerce is proud to recognize our members in
the industry of several decades ago. Meanwhile, the manufacturing industry. Thank you for your
manufacturers are opening up more enormous contributions to our region!
apprenticeships and co-op programs to
help nurture the talent pipeline. • Alro Steel Corporation • GM - General Motors
• Bekum America Lansing Operations
"We are very conscious of the narrative Corporation • Heppler Engineering
that needs to be changed," said • Capital Area Group
Kangas. "People often think that Manufacturing • IMPCO
factories are dirty and jobs are Council • KTM Industries, Inc.
insecure. Teachers and counselors • Capital Steel & Wire, • LorAnn Oils, Inc.
often push kids to go to four-year universities, but not every Inc. • Neogen Corporation
child may be ready for that. Kids that go into professional • Dart Container • Niowave Inc.
trades are graduating with zero debt, starting their careers • Demmer Corporation • Peckham, Inc.
young, and having an amazing experience." • Douglas Steel • Pratt & Whitney
Fabricating AutoAir, Inc.
Corporation
Kangas says that our diverse manufacturing businesses • RSDC of Michigan
remain one of the best-kept secrets and we as a community • Dowding Industries • S & S Die Co.
should be proud of our robust manufacturing sector. • Emergent • The Shyft Group
BioSolutions
"We drive by these facilities on a daily basis, and we see them Don't see your business listed?
and we have no idea what goes on inside," said Kangas. Contact us to become a member today!
"These places are highly successful businesses that are often
shipping their products globally. We should very much be
proud of what is happening in our region." expanded greatly and now includes large, multinational
customers, as well as small "owner/operator" plastic bottle
Greater Lansing does have numerous success stories in an manufacturers.
increasingly diverse manufacturing sector. Here are just a
few of the many stories worth telling about manufacturing "You might not know us, but you use bottles produced on
in our region. Bekum machines every day of your life," said Steve London,
president & CEO, Bekum America Corporation.
Bekum America Corporation: People Make
the Difference Bekum strives for excellence in the design and
Bekum America manufacture of its industry-leading technology, in the
Corporation was development of its employees, and in its involvement in
established in 1979 the community. Bekum's concentration on developing
with the mission its people has resulted in its industry-leading position. Its
to introduce people represent quality and excellence, which translates
top-quality blow into long-term success through increasing sales, a strong
molding machinery marketplace share, and more than 40 years of successful
designed to operations.
produce plastic
bottles, containers, and other large plastic parts in the North Bekum believes the major reason for its long-term success
American marketplace, by blending German design and has been its people. "Growing its own" has been and
technology with American skill and ingenuity. continues to be a significant goal of Bekum. Following
this belief, Bekum has developed an award-winning
A sample of products produced on Bekum's machinery Apprenticeship Program based upon the German
includes customer favorites such as cosmetic and "model," and they are proud that more than 50 percent
shampoo bottles, food jars, detergent bottles, beverage of their manufacturing employees are the results of its
and juice containers, and countless other large plastic outstanding Apprenticeship Program.
objects. Bekum's customers produce these products for
an impressive array of consumer-oriented companies. Bekum practices what it preaches – people make
Since its inception, Bekum’s customer base has the difference.

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