“Manufacturing is absolutely critical to everybody here. No matter what business you are in. Whether you’re in manufacturing, whether you’re in the services business, health care business, you name it — it all starts with manufacturing.” The words today of Matt Tyler President of Vickers Engineering of New Troy, and a key speaker at the ribbon cutting and grand opening of the new Hanson Technology Center on the Napier Avenue Campus of Lake Michigan College.
Tyler says our region is “a hotbed area still today, for manufacturing, especially high-tech manufacturing.” He told a crowd of dozens today, “You may not know it, but you drive by buildings all the time that have been here a long time, and behind those walls, there is unbelievable technology in a lot of those facilities that is world class.” But, it takes world class talent to man the jobs behind those walls, and rather than continue to fight with regions all across the country for skilled workers, the Hanson Technology Center can be the foundation for creating home grown, highly skilled talent for companies who need those workers.
The Hanson Technology Center (HTC) will house LMC’s energy production, engineering, machine tool, mechantronics, skilled trades and welding production programs. It features a Fab Lab, simulation classroom and Virtual Manufacturing Floor with state-of-the-art CNC and robotics equipment.
LMC Board Chair Mary Jo Tomasini calls the building, “Amazing,” adding, “I know that we will be the talk of the state once everybody realizes what’s under this roof.”
Dr. Ken Flowers is Dean of Career & Workforce Education and he will tell you that what is under that roof is the linchpin for manufacturing careers that have evolved remarkably with advances in technology. Yet, he says, “Some people still have outdated ideas about the profession.” He’s delighted that LMC and the community have partnered to create “a beautiful, bright and modern space where all kinds of students can get excited about transforming ideas into reality.” He says, “It will be a wellspring for invention and innovation. This is where the next generation of makers are made.”
Tomasini says that research indicates that “after this building opens, we can expect to create 260 new jobs in the next three years, with an added economic value of $9.3-million” to the community. The building brings those programs to the center of the Napier Avenue Campus where each year thousands of students are exposed to different learning opportunities.
Tyler told the crowd of onlookers today, “We aren’t concerned about finding customers, we aren’t concerned about the economy. What we talk about every day in our facility is, whoever gives us that next job, how are we going to fill those jobs?” He adds, “It’s scary! We don’t want to panic. There are companies in our area that are wildly successful that think they need to stop growing here and need to go find their next facility someplace else.” He drives home his point saying, “The good news is, there is nowhere else! Every place in the country is dealing with the same problem.” However, “This building will make an absolute difference in a number of instances. It’s not a silver bullet. It’s not going to solve all of our issues, but it’s an absolute difference maker, and now the business community has to support this opportunity.”
Rick Blake from Edgewater Automation in St. Joseph calls the Hanson Tech Center, “the foundation of our investment, but we’re not done. This is just the beginning.”
Cornerstone Alliance President Rob Cleveland was “reminded of the adage that the best time to plant a tree is 20 years ago, and the second best time is today.” He says, “What you’re seeing in front of you is the future and what you’ve heard from the last two guys (Blake and Tyler) is spot on. We hear that from every company we go and visit in this community. It’s always the same thing, where is the talent coming from for today and where is it going to come from in the future.” He says, “This building and everything inside is the future of Berrien County’s economy.”
Cleveland punctuated his message by telling us, “More than half of the folks working today in the tri-county area in manufacturing are either at retirement age or approaching it, which speaks volumes to the fact that we’ve got to continue to train young people to fill those positions, and we’re so fortunate to have a resource like this Hanson Technology Center to do just that.” He concluded, “From a strictly economic development standpoint, we are thrilled to be here today to add a world class asset like the Hanson Technology Center to our arsenal and we will go and spread that message throughout the country and overseas when we are making our recruiting calls.”
Manufacturing provides an estimated 17,500 jobs and has a $2.1-billion impact on Berrien, Cass and Van Buren Counties. A recent report by Kinexus found that area manufacturers are concerned about the lack of available applicants with technical skills.
Dan Mitchell is President of Hanson Mold. He says, “This new center will be a major signal that Lake Michigan College stands side-by-side with businesses to create a strong and vibrant manufacturing economy in our region and will play a vital role in attracting and retaining people.”
Construction of the HTC was partially supported by private donations and is named in honor of Merlin & Carolyn Hanson.
In addition to the Fab Lab, there are two large Advanced Manufacturing Labs, a sizable Welding Lab, a Simulation Lab, Collaboration Space and the large glass promenade is home to a miniature train replica of the Israelite House of David miniature trains that were a fixture in Benton Harbor along Britain Avenue for 65-years beginning in 1908.
Cutting the ribbon on the new Hanson Technology Center
Merlin & Carolyn Hanson at the ceremonies…
