National Manufacturing Day 2024

Elizabeth Ruiz, Editor, Maintenance World

Posted 10/2/2024

Happy Manufacturing Day 2024! MFG Day, celebrated each year on the first Friday in October, was created by the Manufacturing Institute, which is the workforce development and education affiliate of the National Association of Manufacturers. Events continue throughout the month. Find an event near you.

Manufacturing Day 2024 is an opportunity for thousands of organizations and educational institutions to welcome students, parents, educators, and community leaders. The purpose is to empower manufacturers to come together to address the challenges they all face and figure out ways to generate interest in manufacturing careers. (mfgday.com)

Video Courtesy Manufacturing Institute

Read on to see what industry leaders are saying about Manufacturing Day 2024:

Bryan Christiansen, CEO and Founder of Limble CMMS

“National Manufacturing Day is an opportunity to highlight the pivotal role manufacturing plays in driving progress and shaping the future of our economy. It is a day to celebrate the unsung heroes that keep the world moving, and come together to address the greatest challenges facing the industry today.

According to Limble’s 2024 State of Maintenance in Manufacturing report, more than 50% of manufacturing leaders cited downtime and workforce shortages as their greatest challenges. Implementing advanced technologies, such as Computerized Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS), can help manufacturers overcome these significant hurdles. Implementing a CMMS not only reduces downtime and extends equipment lifetime by streamlining all maintenance operations, but it can also significantly reduce workforce shortage challenges by helping teams optimize their workforce. By introducing automation to task management and quickly surfacing critical asset and maintenance data, CMMS platforms enable manufacturers to increase productivity, improve job satisfaction, and focus on innovation. A huge priority for all industries today is leveraging technology in strategic ways to do more with less, and manufacturing is no exception.

This Manufacturing Day should be used to showcase the innovation and technological advancements driving the industry forward, and inspire the next generation of workers to pursue careers in this evolving field. Modern manufacturing is not only about producing goods – it is also about creating solutions that fuel progress and shape our future.”

Neeta Verma, Director at Accuris

“On this National Manufacturing Day, it is important to highlight and recognize the ongoing challenges modern manufacturers are facing, and how new technologies can help alleviate some of this burden. First and foremost, manufacturers are struggling with a lack of skilled workers, worsened by an aging workforce and a shortage of tech-savvy employees. To overcome labor shortages, many are adopting robotics, while IoT technology supports their adaptation to a digital-first environment. Rising material costs, wages, and freight charges are also putting pressure on manufacturers. Digital tools can help audit supply chains and renegotiate contracts, reducing costs while maintaining quality.

As supply chain disruptions also continue to negatively impact manufacturers, data-driven insights from AI technology can help ease such complexities. By using dashboards and analytics, manufacturers can anticipate disruptions and proactively plan responses. In addition, the technology can help with inventory management and production schedules. ERP systems with real-time data and automation help balance supply with demand, ensuring timely production and delivery. Inaccurate demand forecasting can lead to overproduction or underproduction. Advanced technologies analyze sales data for better alignment with market trends.

Manufacturers need agility, not only to keep pace with evolving customer needs but also new regulations. AI technology enables demand forecasting, digital advertising, and market research, helping organizations meet customer needs without compromising quality. Automated compliance systems also help manufacturers stay compliant and avoid costly penalties.

Overall, technologies like ERP, IIoT, automation, and AI help manufacturers streamline processes and enhance efficiency in a dynamic environment, while cloud-based platforms and digital twins optimize production. Additionally, leveraging data analytics promotes sustainability by reducing waste and energy consumption.”

manufacturing day 2024 — *kali9 from Getty Images Signature*

Donovan Tindill, Director of OT Cybersecurity at DeNexus

“Since 2022, manufacturing has been highlighted as one of the top three industries in various threats, attacks, and insurance claims reports from cybersecurity and insurance providers.

This surge invites manufacturing executives to double down on their efforts to increase the cybersecurity resilience of their production lines. As they modernize with network-connected equipment and systems, this leads to increased security vulnerabilities, an expanded attack surface, and exploitation by malicious actors. Attacks on IT systems can also propagate more easily to Operational Technology (OT) environments, causing significant damage and production interruption. For example, the disruption of the labeling system due to a cyber event can result in the production line being severely degraded or shut down until the incident is resolved.

Knowing where manufacturers face the greatest cyber risk, which site, and which vulnerability (in OT or IT) would lead to the greatest loss provides cybersecurity professionals with a leg-up when prioritizing and justifying cyber investments. This starts by identifying the greatest cyber risks and modeling the probability and severity of cyber events against the facility’s OT cybersecurity controls & vulnerabilities, comparing the impact of various loss drivers, and measuring the risk in financial terms. This allows cybersecurity leaders to communicate cyber risks in ways that empower decision-makers to manage cyber alongside other business risks.”

Chris Carlson, Chief Product Officer at Critical Start

“The rapid digitalization of manufacturing has created an urgent demand for cybersecurity professionals. As industrial processes become increasingly interconnected and data-driven, they’ve become targets for cyber threats. These risks extend beyond individual companies, potentially disrupting entire supply chains and compromising the integrity of products vital to our daily lives. Pursuing a cybersecurity career in manufacturing offers the opportunity to safeguard critical infrastructure and protect the backbone of our economy. This field uniquely combines digital security with the protection of physical systems, requiring professionals to secure everything from industrial control systems to Internet of Things (IoT) devices on factory floors. The complexity and importance of this work makes manufacturing cybersecurity a challenging, yet highly rewarding career path.

For those interested in entering this field, a structured approach to skill development is essential. Consider these key steps:

Establish a solid foundation in information technology through reputable online courses or formal education programs.
Develop an understanding of manufacturing processes and terminology, potentially through industry seminars or manufacturing technology courses.
Use online platforms offering hands-on labs and simulations to get experience with cybersecurity fundamentals. Become familiar with industrial control systems and protocols specific to manufacturing environments.
Attend industry conferences, engage in networking, and join professional organizations related to both cybersecurity and manufacturing to build connections and stay informed.
Pursue entry-level IT positions within manufacturing firms to gain valuable industry exposure.
Obtain relevant certifications, starting with foundational ones and advancing to more specialized credentials.
Keep up with industry trends by reading reputable journals and following thought leaders in the field.
Participate in open-source projects related to industrial cybersecurity to gain practical experience and increase your visibility within the community.

Remember, building expertise in this specialized field is a gradual process that requires continuous learning and adaptation to evolving technologies and threats. With dedication and a structured approach, professionals can thrive in this dynamic and essential sector.”

Craig Jones, Vice President of Security Operations at Ontinue

“The Manufacturing & Industrial sectors have seen a dramatic rise in cyberattacks in the first half of 2024, accounting for 41% of cyber incidents. This was a large increase of 105%, which sat at only 20% in 2023, according to recent research examining the trends shaping the cyber threat landscape in 2024. This contrasts with a notable decline in attacks on the Technology/IT services sector, which has benefitted from improved cybersecurity maturity and defenses. This means that manufacturing still has a long way to go in securing its cyber defenses and protecting the sensitive data it holds.

Ransomware groups like Lockbit continue to dominate the cyber threat landscape, while new threats like Hunters International are emerging. Additionally, the rise in sophisticated phishing attacks and persistent threats like the PlugX RAT are a wake-up call for all industries.

Now, more than ever, manufacturing organizations must take a proactive approach to strengthening their security postures. Partnering with a trusted managed security provider, leveraging real-time threat intelligence, and enhancing overall cybersecurity maturity through best practices are critical steps to stay ahead of these challenges and reduce risk.”

What will you be doing this year for Manufacturing Day 2024? Let us know in the comments!

For more information about Manufacturing Day 2024, reach out to Jennifer White, Director, Student Development. Email [email protected]. Phone (202) 637-3158.

Check out events for the rest of the year on our Conferences page.

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National Manufacturing Day 2024