NICK GOSNELL
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Manufacturing Expo Nov. 8 at the Kansas State Fairgrounds is a collaboration to get as many of the pieces of what makes manufacturers work together in one place as possible.
"Instead of a focus on primes or on producers, we had kind of identified three categories of manufacturing companies that we were labeling as producers, suppliers and service providers," said Lauren Storm with the Hutchinson/Reno County Chamber of Commerce. "Producers being the primes, those that produce the end product or machinery, suppliers being those who maybe produce componentry or collaborate to sell to primes, and then, service providers who are those in the industry, kind of adjacent, such as IT companies or SBA or those who also offer connection."
The point is to make it easier for those who work here to know where they can get what they need to do their jobs.
"We've given equal attention to all three sectors," Storm said. "We want this to be a unique opportunity for connections throughout the industry in our area, and give an opportunity to put a spotlight on the diversity of the industry itself."
Given how many struggles all businesses had through the pandemic in getting supplies, shortening those chains through local partnerships is vital.
"It brings dollars back to our economy faster if we can help companies right here make connections," said Chamber CEO Debra Teufel. "Maybe they just didn't know someone in Reno County makes a component that they can use and they don't have to procure it from out of state. It's helping those dollars circulate. Part of Lauren's title is business retention and expansion and workforce program coordinator. A lot that she covers is making those robust connections for local companies for resources that they didn't know were right here."
The event is on the Kansas State Fairgrounds from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 8.
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