Manufacturers provided area students a tour of production facilities unique to Poplar Bluff in an effort to promote careers to the next generation who are needed to replace skilled baby boomers retiring from the industry.

Poplar Bluff High School, the Technical Career Center and Mark Twain were represented among a reported 320 secondary students throughout the region on Thursday, Oct. 1, during the 11th annual Manufacturing Day in Industrial Park.

The initiative is promoted by the Manufacturing Institute, the workforce development and education affiliate of the National Association of Manufacturers, and organized locally by the Poplar Bluff Chamber of Commerce. Participating manufacturers this year included Briggs & Stratton, Empire Comfort Systems, Gates Corporation and Rheem Manufacturing Company, along with the Three Rivers College Workforce Training Lab.

“A lot of kids don’t really know what they’re gonna do, and there’s a lot of pressure at that age,” commented Dakota Jackson, instructor over the Jobs for America’s Graduates program at Mark Twain School. “In manufacturing, you can come in and start working while you go to college, and receive tuition reimbursement.”

Cheri Sparkman, Mark Twain counselor who helped chaperone the class, added: "There's something for everybody, whether you have a high school diploma or an engineering degree."

The students heard from various industry officials who started at a local factory to meet short-term financial needs, then ended up receiving career promotions and eventually even brought in family members to the profession, in some instances.

“The main thing about a degree is to show that you stuck with something and accomplished a goal,” said Erin Bateman, human resource generalist at Briggs, who earned her bachelor’s degree in journalism. “The biggest advice I can give you is to show up and show interest.”

The small engine manufacturer, the largest in the world, offers 75 percent reimbursement for tuition, books and fees, as long as the major is applicable to a position at Briggs, according to Bateman. The factory, Butler County’s third largest employer behind the Poplar Bluff School District, also offers an on-site health clinic as part of its benefits package.

Earlier this year, Briggs & Stratton produced its 100 millionth engine since planting its flag in Poplar Bluff in 1989. The plant operates out of over 500,000 square feet of space across its three facilities in Industrial Park, averaging 7,200 engines per day for walk-behind lawnmowers and pressure washers, Bateman continued.

One of the tour guides, Neal Sullivan, machining supervisor, shared how he started at the plant straight out of high school, originally vowing not to stay there. His tenure now spans nearly 30 years, and his son has since followed in his footsteps at the production facility.

Gates Corporation offers some of the best starting pay for a manufacturer in Poplar Bluff with a wage of $17.82-$25.19 per hour, depending on the position – vulcanizer, assembler or extruder operator, according to Rod Terrell, human resources manager. There are also salaried support positions in the fields of accounting, customer service, maintenance, information technology and quality assurance.

Having begun as a finisher, Renee Willis, now quality manager, shared that she worked in nearly every position available except power grip, and benefited from the company’s own tuition reimbursement program. Now her husband Jeff also serves as a supervisor at Gates. “You don’t have to be on the floor for 30, 40 years; you can matriculate up to additional positions,” Terrell explained.

The factory, which produces 50,000-60,000 automotive curved hoses and power transmission belts across a range of industries daily, has operated in Poplar Bluff since 1982. A community-minded company, Gates has recently made a sizable donation to Robert's Adventure Playground at McLane Park, according to Terrell. In addition, they host events such as Easter egg hunts for children and grandchildren of employees, or rent out Rodgers Theatre for Christmas photos with Santa.

“It’s not just work, work, work,” Terrell continued. “It is that, but there are also fun, community things we’re involved in.”

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Cutline: Mark Twain School senior Chaise Brown presents the golden engine—the 100 millionth small engine that came down the assembly line over the summer—displayed in the lobby of Briggs & Stratton.