SALISBURY — Rowan County wrapped up an exciting week of Manufacturing Day activities, offering students from Rowan-Salisbury Schools the opportunity to tour more than a dozen local manufacturing facilities. This large-scale initiative provided students with a firsthand look at the dynamic career opportunities available in the manufacturing sector, which continues to thrive in Rowan County.

Participating companies included Chroma Color, Daimler Truck North America, The Driveshaft Shop, Freshouse Produce LLC, GLR Kitchen and Bath Design, Gränges, Innospec Active Chemicals, Johnson Concrete, New York Air Brake, Pinnacle Corrugated, Power Curbers Companies, Staclean and SupplyOne Rockwell, Inc.

Students also explored advanced manufacturing resources and training opportunities at Rowan-Cabarrus Community College’s Advanced Manufacturing Institute.

The week of tours launched with an open house event at Salisbury High School, home to the Career and Technical Education (CTE) Advanced Manufacturing Academy. Guests toured the newly expanded metals lab and learned how the academy equips students with hands-on technical skills to transition directly into careers or further education in manufacturing. Industry representatives from Henkel, Hexagon Agility and Mill-Spec Manufacturing attended, underscoring the strong connection between education and local workforce needs.

Kresen Whitmarsh, CIMC Community Partner with the RSS CTE Program, emphasized the importance of early exposure to local career options, noting that exposing the future workforce to opportunities within Rowan County’s top industry, manufacturing, is essential.

“It allows students to see what is possible after graduation, whether they pursue a 4-year degree, technical training, or jump straight into the workforce. Careers in modern manufacturing are endless,” Whitmarsh said.

Kendall Henderson, director of Business Services at Rowan EDC, highlighted the strategic value of the tours and the importance of employer participation.

“It’s important for our employers to take advantage of this brand awareness opportunity,” Henderson said. “Through our ‘Choose Rowan’ talent attraction campaign, we hear time and again from local talent that they simply aren’t aware of the opportunities available right here. Starting with our students is key to future success in securing talent for vital roles in our manufacturing sector.”

This year, Manufacturing Day has grown from a week-long celebration to span an entire month of activity, with the addition of two new events later in October. On Tuesday, Oct. 29, the community will come together for a Local Manufacturers Appreciation Luncheon from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at New York Air Brake (NYAB). The luncheon will honor local manufacturers for their contributions to job creation and innovation, with Darren Skiles, operations manager at NYAB, serving as the keynote speaker. 

Skiles joined NYAB in 2015 and has more than 25 years of experience in manufacturing. A Purdue University graduate with a bachelor of science in organizational leadership and supervision, he began his career as a production manager at Doorcraft of Indiana. He later served as the general manager at Jeld-Wen Corporation in Lexington. Under his leadership, NYAB has continued to meet and exceed the high quality and delivery standards its customers expect. Skiles will offer insights into how Rowan County manufacturers are driving innovation and achieving steady growth in a competitive landscape.

The month will conclude with a Women Manufacturing Leaders Panel Breakfast on Thursday, Oct. 31, from 9 to 10 a.m. at Hexagon Agility. The panel will feature prominent female leaders from some of Rowan County’s top manufacturing companies, including Kris Baum from Gränges Americas, Teresa Stephens from Chroma Color and Brittany Dorn from Hexagon Agility. This event provides an opportunity for attendees to learn from these leaders’ experiences and gain insight into the opportunities available within manufacturing. A continental breakfast will be served, and the event will be open to manufacturing leaders, North Carolina Manufacturing Institute graduates, and students from the Salisbury High School Manufacturing Academy.

By expanding Manufacturing Day into a month-long celebration, Rowan County continues to foster connections between students, educators and local manufacturers — ensuring that future talent is aware of the many career opportunities in the region’s top industry.