This week is an important week for us as we celebrate the growth and strength of America’s greatest industry: manufacturing. Local Motors strategically sits in the middle of a shift in automotive manufacturing and advanced, additive manufacturing. We’re proud to offer a few ways for you to take a peek at how manufacturing is evolving to be more closely tied to the needs of the consumer.
We’re proud of the state of manufacturing in the United States. Despite what you might have heard, the industry is strong and growing. In 2015, data from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis indicates that manufacturing contributed $2.17 trillion, or about 12.5 percent of our GDP. Since the 2008 Great Recession, the Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates that we are adding jobs in the manufacturing sector, currently employing 12.3 million people. All signs suggest that manufacturing in the United States is strong and is poised for even more growth.
We invite you to visit us at the events described below to gain an inside look at the future of manufacturing, product innovation, and the hardware necessary to build tomorrow’s products.
October 1-2, 2016 – New York, NY
While not under the banner of Manufacturing Day, we’ll bring our Forth trailer to the World Maker Faire in the Big Apple where thousands of attendees will discover the latest innovations from makers around us. We’re thrilled to welcome people of all backgrounds to learn more about Forth and how we can work together to make a better world through hardware.
October 5, 2016 – Erie, PA
Our interactive Forth trailer will be available for all to visit at the Erie Manufacturing Day. Forth is this platform behind our co-creation community, which has resulted in the development of eccentric vehicles like the Rally Fighter, Strati and Swim 3D-printed cars and the self-driving shuttle Olli. Inside the trailer, you’ll be able to learn more about 3D scanning and printing right there before your eyes. We want your ideas and you can learn about how product ideation and development is changing just as quickly as the manufacturing industry.
October 8, 2016 – National Harbor, MD
You might know that Local Motors National Harbor is abuzz with Labs events, but on Saturday, we will host a public event in partnership with FIRST that will quench your thirst to see tomorrow’s innovators demonstrate their ideas and discuss how our we are helping to create the best performing FIRST teams in the country. After a morning of FIRST, we’ll continue with our regularly scheduled Little Designer Club, a crowdfunded curriculum for computer aided design and 3D printing. You can register for this event on the Manufacturing Day website.
Elsewhere
You don’t have to attend these events to celebrate National Manufacturing Day. This week, you can be sure that Local Motors and fellow leaders in the manufacturing space will be sharing stats, stories, and perspectives across social media. Follow the #MFGDAY16 hashtag on your favorite social networks to see what we’re buzzing about. For more information about Manufacturing Day and to find more events in your area, visit mfgday.com.