North American Lighting management made a pitch for more to consider a career in manufacturing when the Illinois Manufacturers Association ‘Makers on the Move’ bus made a stop outside the Salem NAL facility Thursday afternoon.
The General Manager of the Salem plant, Jim Kerner, says their 450,000-square foot facility that employs more than 1,000 is full of opportunity and doesn’t fit the stigma of factories of the past.
“Inside this manufacturing facility, you will find 26 thermal plastic injection molding machines, 13 multi-injection presses, an impressive coatings department, and over 100 assembly lines. Contrary to some of the stigma around manufacturing, our facilities are clean, high tech, climate controlled, and full of skilled workers.”
Kerner initially joined NAL as a maintenance engineer and used the opportunity for growth to become the General Manager of the plant.
The Assistant General Manager Shelley Bodine started in 1998 as an assembly operator. Her curiosity about the manufacturing process led her to continually sign up for job bids. Eventually, she went back to college and became certified with the help of NAL.
“Due to the experience that I’ve had at this plant, I now encourage anyone who feels that they are not building a career in their current job, to apply here at NAL. We are always looking for engaging new team members who are looking to grow with a progressive company that is focused on safety, diversity, and success.”
Kristy Johns of the Illinois Manufacturing Excellence Center says there are great opportunities at manufacturing facilities.
“There are countless success stories in manufacturing every day. These stories are rooted in hard work and determination, creativity, critical thinking, teamwork, and the use of cutting-edge technology and automation. It’s all in a day’s work.”
Johns says they are using Manufacturing Month in October to elaborate and celebrate their success stories.
North American Lighting has also started an apprenticeship program with Kaskaskia College to develop new workers.
Salem Mayor Nic Farley joins everyone in attendance at the ‘Makers on the Move’ news conference in signing the bus that is a 20-stop tour around Illinois.
Those in attendance at the ‘Makers on the Move’ bus stop at North American Lightin Salem gather in front of the bus.
