Manufacturing Day will take place nationally on Oct. 3, and for the first time the Kalispell Chamber of Commerce will participate.

“We’re always very proud of products that are made in the valley,” said Joe Unterreiner, president of the Kalispell Chamber of Commerce. “There’s a big movement in buying local. We want to create awareness for what is made here.” 

Manufacturing Day was founded nationally in 2012 in an effort to inform the public about manufacturing, and correct common misconceptions about the industry. The event takes place the first Friday in October each year, and creates a nationwide opportunity for manufacturing companies to open their doors to give tours or demonstrations on what their company produces, and how they contribute to their community. 

“Our CEO and his three partners are so thankful to the Flathead Valley for their support,” said Ronda Gress, human resources manager at Nomad Global Communication Solutions. “We’re taking this opportunity to show them what we do, and how we give back.” 

Nomad will be one of several local manufacturers in the Flathead Valley giving a tour on Manufacturing Day. Others include Applied Materials, Glacier Sun Winery, Kalispell Brewing Company, Kalispell Kreamery and NEMO Arms. 

“We’re using this as a test case,” Unterreiner said. “We wanted to keep the number of participants small, so we could get feedback from them afterward about what worked, and what didn’t.” 

According to Unterreiner, the chamber is already beginning to look forward to next year’s Manufacturing Day. This year, they will gather data on who attends, what times or events work, and what participants would like to see in the future. 

“We already have big plans for next year,” said Gress. “This year was kind of a trial run.” 

In Flathead County, manufacturing made up 35 percent of the basic industry earnings for the period 2011 to 2013, according to the University of Montana Bureau of Business and Economic Research 2014 Economic Outlook. The county relies heavily on these manufacturing industries for any type of goods and services, from wine to firearms. Wood-product manufacturing accounts for 18 percent of the total. 

Flathead Valley Community College and Glacier High School also will participate in the day, hosting tours of their manufacturing programs. 

“Education is a huge issue area in the manufacturing industry,” Unterreiner said. “We need to educate on what skills are needed to make up an adequate work force.” 

FVCC will give a tour of its four manufacturing programs: electronics technician, machinist technician, industrial maintenance, firearms technology. Glacier High School will demonstrate its Science Technology Engineering and Math (STEM) program. 

For more information, or to see a schedule of events, visit www.mfgday.com