Hanover’s Perspective
Hanover Business Celebrates Manufacturing Day
What does the Virginia Historical Society, Department of Homeland Security, John Deere, and American Eagle Outfitters have in common? They all use parts fabricated by Specialty’s Our Name (SON), a family-owned and -operated sheet metal fabricator and machine shop located in Hanover County.
The company opened their doors to the public to celebrate Manufacturing Day (MFG Day). MFG Day is an annual North American event promoting the manufacturing industry and careers.
Among other things, SON fabricates metal parts used in field operations tables for the Homeland Security and clothing display tables for American Eagle Outfitters. The company began in 1990 with two skilled craftsman and 2,500 square feet. They now operate in the Hanover Industrial Air Park with 32,000 square feet and 30 employees.
“The Hanover Industrial Air Park is full of hardworking businesses — big and small — that do big, amazing things,” said Edwin Gaskin, director of Hanover County Economic Development.
Manufacturing is one of the leading industries in Hanover County accounting for 3,665 jobs in 2013, a 14% increase from the previous year.
Among those attending the open house were students from the Hanover Center for Trades and Technology, a public vocational and technical school for high school students. The school is one of the many outlets for workforce training and technical support within the County.
The Manufacturing Day is hosted an organized by the following institutions — Fabricators & Manufacturers Association, International (FMA), National Institute of Standards & Technology (NIST) Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP), Manufacturing Institute (MI), National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) — along with guest producer Industrial Strength Marketing (ISM), official media partner Science Channel, and movie partner American Made Movie. These seven organizations collaborate to encourage event creation, support event hosts, and drive event turnout.