WHEELING – Exciting things are happening with apprentices and the next generation of manufacturing, Keats Manufacturing leadership shared during an on-site visit with State Senator Julie Morrison this week.
Donna Brand, Keats’ Executive Vice President & COO, led Keats’ welcome meeting with the Senator. “We’re very proud of the team of 130 we have here at Keats Manufacturing,” she said. “More than 30 of them have been working here for over 20 years.”
While many of those that work at Keats are family members, they work to create a family-like culture for the whole team. In turn, they encourage the next generation of manufacturers, she said.
Apprenticeships were of special interest to Senator Morrison, who was especially delighted to learn that students from the local Wheeling High School have been hired at Keats over the years.
Keats has an official partnership with District 214, and encourages high schoolers to try manufacturing, and over the years has hired four from the high school.
Senator Morrison was given a tour of the Keats tool room and floor after a conversation about the company, its successes and its challenges. Keats Manufacturing, established in 1958, has additional facilities in El Paso, Texas since 1994, and Queretaro, Mexico, since 2016. The company provides custom small metal stampings, wire forms and assemblies.
Expanding efforts to provide opportunities for small and midsized manufacturers to talk directly to those that make public policy, the Technology & Manufacturing Association’s Advocacy Team organizes on-site visits for TMA members with their state and local elected officials.
To host a tour with elected officials, write info@tmaillinois.org.
