Graco Manufacturing Day welcomed
Connecting Minnesota’s Youth with Diverse Work Opportunities
Since its founding in Minneapolis in 1926, Graco has become a worldwide leader in fluid handling technologies; manufacturing and marketing premium equipment to move, measure, control, dispense and spray a wide variety of fluid and powder materials. With its corporate headquarters remaining in Minneapolis, Graco has continued its investment in Minnesota with locations in Anoka and Rogers, as well as expanding its business across the United States and the world.
Staying true to its roots, Graco has committed itself and given back to the communities it calls home through the Graco Foundation. The Graco Foundation helps organizations with proven track records grow their ability to serve the community needs through grants for STEM education, workforce development and youth development programs. The Graco Foundation provides more than $1 million in grants and gift matches annually.
The Foundation has particular focus on communities close to home that share Graco’s passion for ensuring the next generations of employees in the state are prepared for successful careers. One way the Foundation dedicates itself to local workforce development is to encourage young people to explore what a fulfilling career in STEM or manufacturing could do for them and their futures.
To help with this mission, the Graco Foundation not only financially supports career exploration programs, but each fall they host their own program, Manufacturing Day, to deliver enrichment experiences for area high school students. The event welcomes students into Graco facilities to experience what a career in manufacturing is all about by providing hands-on learning—including stations that allow participants to control robots, build keychains with lasers and learn about quality control. At Graco’s last Manufacturing Day event, more than 250 students, teachers, counselors and local community leaders from 16 different high schools and nonprofits from around the Minneapolis area attended to learn about the modern manufacturing industry.
Manufacturing Day is one example of how Graco and the Foundation works to create a positive impact within our communities by providing quality jobs and workforce training opportunities.
To learn more about the Graco Foundation’s community outreach efforts, please visit the Graco Foundation page on Graco.com.