INDEX's Tom Clark joins Purdue Polytechnic Anderson's Assistant Professor Jeff Heiking and Director Corey Sharp in front of the ABC turning center that INDEX is donating to the school.
INDEX Applications Engineer Kyle McCrocklin presents students with an overview of the company's G220 turn-mill.
Following lunch and facility tours, students had the opportunity to participate in an INDEX virtual reality experience.
INDEX Corporation recently held its first ever MFG Day event at the company's North American headquarters in Noblesville, IN. The event drew over 150 students from local schools in Hamilton County, providing young people with insight into the benefits offered by a career in the manufacturing sector. Additionally, INDEX formally announced the donation of an ABC production turning center to Purdue Polytechnic Anderson during the event.
Upon their arrival at INDEX's facility, students were treated to a catered lunch during speeches by Tom Clark, President and CEO of INDEX Corporation, Corey Sharp, Director of Purdue Polytechnic Anderson and Noah Dockrey, Field Service Intern at INDEX Corporation.
Following lunch, students broke into small groups and received guided tours of INDEX's facility. Stations throughout the company's shop floor focused on a variety of subjects, from the advanced technology found in INDEX's turning centers to common manufacturing tasks to details on the above-average earning potential for students who pursue STEM degrees and careers. Following the guided tours, students had the opportunity to chat with INDEX interns and employees, revisit stations with follow-up questions and participate in a virtual reality experience.
"American manufacturing is undergoing a radical shift," said Clark. "For many years, manufacturers did not do enough to draw talented young people into our industry. As a result, we are now facing a situation where there are not enough individuals going into manufacturing to offset the numbers we are losing to retirement. At INDEX, our continued success and growth depends on identifying and connecting with young people in our community who are interested in engineering careers and working with advanced technology."
"In recent years, INDEX has fostered strong relationships with local post-secondary institutions such as Purdue Polytechnic and Ivy Tech, both of which participated in the company's MFG Day," said a company spokesperson. Flexware Innovation, a Fishers-based engineering firm heavily involved in workforce development, also took part in the event.
"The donation of an ABC production turning center follows a deepening relationship between INDEX and Purdue Polytechnic," added the spokesperson. "INDEX has provided internships to multiple students from the college, as well as hired multiple graduates. Valued at more than $350,000, the ABC machine will provide Purdue Polytechnic students the opportunity to learn on an advanced, state-of-the-art piece of manufacturing equipment."
For more information contact:
INDEX Corporation
14700 North Pointe Blvd.
Noblesville, IN 46060
317-770-6300
sales@index-usa.com
www.index-usa.com