For the Love of Manufacturing

In this season of “love” we posed a question to our Okuma family – employees, distributors, customers and social media friends: “What do you love most about working in the manufacturing industry?”

The result was an onslaught of very candid, very personal and enthusiastic messages. We thought you’d enjoy them too, so here are a few of the responses:

“My dad has worked on machines his entire life. He specialized in Okuma and at one point rebuilt and repaired Okumas in his own shop. I know it sounds silly, but I love the smell of a machine shop. It reminds me of how hard my dad worked for his family and how smart he is, because the things he could do to fix a machine were amazing. Now my husband works in the industry and every now and then he will come home smelling like a machine and it reminds me of how grateful I am to have two hard-working and smart men in my life.”
 -Erin L., via Facebook

“I love manufacturing because it is a process of taking raw materials to a finished product. Manufacturing allows creativity to expand the process with new ideas, and always welcomes improvement for more accuracy.”
 -Chase Dooley, Mechanical Engineer, Okuma America Corporation
[Chase also applies “manufacturing creativity” in his own garage, where he uses a 12x36 geared lathe to make custom pool cues. That’s his photo you see here!]

“I love manufacturing because there is nothing cooler in life than to look at anything that is man-made, from the smallest simple item like a pocket knife to the most complex like the international space station, and know it was manufactured. I have been doing this for over 40 years and I have never been bored. Challenged yes but never bored!”
 -Ralph Hegman, Hegman Machinery, Okuma distributor

“I love the people we get to work with in this industry, especially our customers. Such good, honest, hardworking men and women.” 
 -Gibbs and Associates, Member of Partners in THINC, via Twitter

“Manufacturing is the lifeblood of our country, and its importance stretches far beyond what happens behind the factory door. The strength of American manufacturing carries implications for the entire economy, our national security, and the well-being of every citizen, including future generations to come.”
 -Derek Noe, Gosiger Inc., Okuma distributor

“Every day is something new. I get to design and manufacture things not many people can do.”
 -Mark C., via Facebook

“I loved getting to see how things are made! And now I love getting to figure out how to make things. It is great getting to help people with manufacturing challenges, process improvement, and employee development.”
 -Ben M., via Facebook

Erin L. actually had two stories to share, both so good, we couldn’t pick just one:

“Another story: my husband and I went to the NASCAR Hall of Fame over the weekend for Fan Appreciation and we wore our Okuma t-shirts because certain teams employ Okuma machines to build. Men would literally stop my husband and talk to him because they had worked on an Okuma for 16 years, etc. It was really neat to listen to these men talk so fondly about those machines!”
 -Erin L., via Facebook

“OSP Controls!”
 -Tony D., via Facebook

And finally, one respondent was so moved by this topic, he composed an actual love letter – wow!

“Dear Manufacturing, You have been so good to me over these past 28 years. I love everything about you. You are involved in just about everything I touch. I love to challenge my friends to find something that has not been touched or affected by a machine tool; you help me to win every time. When I sit and think about where you started I become teary eyed. You have come so far and become so sophisticated. I love trying to keep up with you. You keep me on my toes and on the edge of technology. Just when I think you can’t get any more efficient, Bam, you blow my socks off! This world is such a better place because of you. I am so lucky to have gotten involved with you…keep changing!”
 -Randy Jokerst, Applications Manager, Hartwig, Inc., Okuma distributor

Can you add to this list? Feel free to comment below and share your thoughts. No need to be shy – as you can see, on this day, and throughout our lives, we all share a love of manufacturing.

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