MANCHESTER, NH – New Hampshire joined the rest of the nation in celebrating Manufacturing Day on Friday, concluding a week of events highlighting the importance and opportunities in state’s top industry with a ceremony at Velcro USA.
“Thank you for joining us today to recognize New Hampshire’s rich manufacturing heritage and celebrate its vibrant future,” Velcro USA New Hampshire Operations Manager Donald Boulanger told the gathering, which included Manchester Mayor Ted Gatsas and state Sens. Lou D’Allesandro and Donna Soucy.
While all 50 states recognize Manufacturing Day, New Hampshire is the only one that’s declared Manufacturing Week. In its second year, New Hampshire Manufacturing Week organizers connected 41 companies across the state with over 1,000 high school students and their teachers touring their plants to see what happens in this industry that is an important driver of the state’s economy. In addition, about 500 people took part in tours and open houses hosted by the state’s community colleges and career-technical education centers.
“Velcro USA is honored to host today’s recognition ceremony,” Boulanger said. “We have been a part of New Hampshire’s manufacturing community for nearly 60 years and are committed to its growth and evolution. This week, we hosted groups of students for tours of our facility here. We’re helping to inspire and encourage the next generation of manufacturing leaders by showing them that today’s manufacturing operations are driven by technology and innovation, provide strong career opportunities and, most importantly, help to grow the New Hampshire economy.”
Department of Resources and Economic Development Commissioner Jeffrey Rose read a proclamation issued by Gov. Maggie Hassan, declaring Manufacturing Week. He noted that manufacturing in the state employs over 66,000 people.
“It’s important that we have an event like this every year because it elevates the profile of the state’s largest industries,” Rose said.
Gatsas also presented Velcro USA with a resolution honoring Manufacturing Day and the city’s rich heritage of manufacturing.
