A fixture in the Rockford business community for more than four decades, Rockford Systems, LLC. announced today it will be commemorating National Manufacturing Day, October 6, 2017, with an Open House featuring a machine safety presentation, interactive safeguarding demonstrations, networking with machine safeguarding specialists, participation in the #selfieforsafety community service campaign, refreshments and a free gift bag for attendees. Students, educators, community and business leaders are invited to learn about machine safeguarding and its important role in the manufacturing process.

Manufacturing Day is an annual celebration of modern manufacturing during which companies like Rockford Systems, LLC. invite members of their local communities, including students, educators, businesspeople, media and political leaders, to their facilities in a collective effort to educate them about manufacturing career opportunities and improve public perceptions of manufacturing. Manufacturing Day is co-produced by the Fabricators & Manufacturers Association, International (FMA), the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM), The Manufacturing Institute and the National Institute of Standards and Technology's (NIST) Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) and this year marks its fifth anniversary. 

At its Open House, Rockford Systems will be providing visitors with an overview of machine safeguarding, the focus of its business since 1971 when its founders introduced an easy-to-install package that allowed metal fabricators to meet new OSHA regulations safeguarding punch presses, hydraulic presses and press brakes. The company's focus, then and today, is to help prevent machine operator injuries and deaths. More than 18,000 injuries occur annually due to a lack of safeguarding equipment on machines and operator error. It is estimated that less than 50 percent of manufacturing machinery currently in use in the United States meets federal safety regulations. 

"We are excited to have the opportunity to showcase what Rockford Systems does and how it is contributing to a safer manufacturing work environment across North America," said Carrie Halle, Vice President of Marketing for Rockford Systems. "In addition, it is a great chance for use to highlight the economic importance of manufacturing in general, and to draw attention to rewarding manufacturing careers for students."

Halle wishes to dispel the outdated myth that American manufacturing remains in the dark ages of manual labor: "We want to inspire students by making them aware that modern manufacturing is at the cutting edge of technology. Manufacturing is an exciting, challenging career where the rise of industrial networks, robotics and automation have dramatically altered the workplace in a positive way."

Rockford Systems will be hosting five Open House sessions on October 6, starting at 8 am and running until 6 pm. Attendees are invited to spend time at the Headquarters Training Center for a machine safety presentation and interactive demo, whereby attendees will learn about machine safety from safeguarding specialists and experience 15 safeguarded metal-working machines operating under power. These machines (including power presses, press brakes, an engine lathe, a Bridgeport drill, a drill press, a grinder, spot welders and a riveter) are equipped with more than one type of safeguarding product so that attendees can see how different guards and devices can be applied and used. 

After the presentation, attendees are invited to network with safeguarding specialists and participate in the #selfieforsafety community service campaign, designed to raise student awareness of the importance of machine safeguarding and to help fund the upgrading of safety equipment in the machine shops of several public high schools in Rockford, Illinois. Attendees are required to wear closed-toe shoes and tie hair long hair back. Safety glasses will be provided.

For more information on Rockford Systems, please visit www.rockfordsystems.com. For more information on Manufacturing Day 2017, please visit www.mfgday.com.

To register to attend, please click HERE. The registration deadline is October 2, 2017. There is no cost to attend but seating is limited.