Simply Marvelous

One of the more interesting cable programs available is the nationally televised series "Manufacturing Marvels" broadcast on FOX Business Network. Among other content, this programming delivers two-minute segments covering a wide array of manufacturing operations throughout North America. In the past year or so I have seen several segments that highlight various manufacturing operations in the packaging and printing industries. This included a feature last year on Franklin International covering its markets, business units, products, history, and vision.

I am partial to a TV show of this nature because it highlights an arena that gets very little publicity—manufacturing. The fact that manufacturing gets very little publicity is a real shame. When I worked in manufacturing, I saw first hand fascinating technologies and equipment that go into making products that people take for granted (e.g., toilet paper and paper towels)—huge paper machines and complicated and sophisticated converting equipment. I remember being excited when the plant I was working at held an open house to celebrate a 15-year anniversary and we were able to bring our families in for a tour. My kids were young at the time and I couldn't wait for them to see the "cool" stuff we had in our plant. (I'm sure they had different ideas at the time on what was "cool", but you never know what sticks when young people are at an impressionable age.)

So shows like "Manufacturing Marvels" and even companies that allow tours of their plants can provide a valuable service to young people that are beginning to formulate ideas about what they want to do in the "real world." And in the process, companies can do a great service to their own industries by stimulating interest in up-and-coming generations of young people. So, congratulations to Franklin International for being highlighted as a "manufacturing marvel."