ARCADIA, Wis. – Throughout October, Ashley Furniture Industries, Inc. (Ashley) hosted several on site events as part of National Manufacturing Day.

Although Manufacturing Day is officially the first Friday in October, Ashley hosted multiple events throughout the month. Manufacturing Day is a celebration of modern manufacturing meant to inspire the next generation of manufacturers.

Ashley facilities welcomed more than 400 grade school students to tour manufacturing and distribution facilities and learn more about opportunities in the field of manufacturing.

Ashley’s Arcadia facility in Wisconsin, hosted more than 200 sixth and seventh grade students from the Whitehall and Arcadia School Districts. They toured the facility and participated in a manufacturing-based activity to learn about team work, communication and the work flow of an assembly line.

Ashley’s Founder and Chairman of the Board, Ron Wanek, spoke about the economic impact manufacturing has on the local and national economy, and on the need for engineering and technology skills to support the future of advanced manufacturing.

Ashley’s Advance facility welcomed 200 eighth grade students from Davie County School District to partake in a facility tour. Following the tour of case goods, upholstery and bedding manufacturing, students also heard a message from Ron Wanek who invited special guests N.C. Rep.Julia Howard, and Terry Bralley, president of Davie County Economic Development Commission to participate in the event.

All Ashley presenters focused on inspiring students about manufacturing by showcasing their work areas, educational background, and the variety of opportunities Ashley Furniture has to offer. Ashley is on the forefront of advancing the manufacturing process, to create a more efficient and timely product for customers around the world. With a focus on enhancing technology and engineering fields, Ashley and the Wanek family continue to invest time and resources into promoting STEM programs to prepare students for the future of manufacturing