ARCADIA, Wis., Oct. 14, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Throughout the month of October, Ashley Furniture Industries, Inc. (Ashley) will host several onsite events in celebration of National Manufacturing Month. Middle school students will tour the advanced-manufacturing facilities to learn about manufacturing and career paths available throughout the company.
National Manufacturing Day, originated by the National Association of Manufacturers, is a celebration of modern manufacturing meant to inspire the next generation of manufacturers. Manufacturing Day addresses common misperceptions about manufacturing by giving manufacturers an opportunity to open their doors and show what manufacturing is — and what it is not.
“We’re proud to participate in National Manufacturing Day and open our doors to students,” said Todd Wanek, President and CEO, Ashley Furniture Industries, Inc. “We believe it is important to showcase the exciting changes in advanced manufacturing with automation and robotics as well as the one-of-a-kind career opportunities that are available to them in their local communities.”
Ashley’s facility in Arcadia, Wisconsin, will tour more than 350 sixth grade students from Arcadia, Arcadia Holy Family, Blair-Taylor, Gale-Ettrick-Trempealeau, Independence, and Whitehall school districts.
“Our visit to Ashley Furniture not only gave students the opportunity to see all the great jobs and skills that are out in the manufacturing industry, but it also helped reinforce the need of two new courses that the middle school is offering; computer coding and robotics,” said Pete Peterson, Gale-Ettrick-Trempealeau Middle School Principal. “Thank you to Ashley Furniture for helping our students realize the importance of their classes and work ethic in real life.”
Ashley’s Advance, North Carolina, facility welcomed 160 eighth grade students from Davie County School District to partake in a facility tour. Participating schools included North Davie Middle School, South Davie Middle School and William Ellis Middle School.
Additionally, this year Ashley’s Ecru and Ripley, Mississippi, facilities plan to participate in the tours welcoming nearly 300 seventh grade students from North Pontotoc Middle School and Ripley Middle School.
Ashley has developed a number of partnerships with K-12 as well as post-secondary schools over the past five years. Combined efforts have included investing in STEM-based learning opportunities, scholarships, providing students with exposure to technical trades and career opportunities, instructor training, and robotics programs. As manufacturing continues to advance and the global economy evolves, training and educating our current and future workforce will be a crucial part of our country’s success.
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Ashley Furniture Industries, Inc. (Ashley) feels that every person deserves more value for their money. Established in 1945, Ashley is one of the largest manufacturers of home furnishings in the world, and was named one of America’s Best Employers by Forbes in 2017. From design through fulfillment, Ashley is committed to delivering the world’s best home furnishing values, selection and service, and earning the loyalty and trust of its customers every day. Visit Ashley online at www.ashleyfurniture.com and “like” Ashley Furniture Industries, Inc. on Facebook.
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