Peters Tours Wolverine Coil Spring for Michigan Manufacturing Week
GRAND RAPIDS, MI - As part of Michigan Manufacturing Week, U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) toured Wolverine Coil Spring Company in Grand Rapids and met with students from Innovation Central High School to discuss career opportunities in advanced manufacturing. Michigan Manufacturing Week, which takes place October 3-7, is part of a national effort to celebrate American manufacturing and inspire future generations to pursue jobs in manufacturing.
“Manufacturing is in our state’s DNA. From the early days of the auto industry to the Arsenal of Democracy during World War II, Michigan has a strong tradition of making great things,” said Senator Peters. “Today, Michigan manufacturing is a sophisticated and high tech industry that is making groundbreaking advances in areas ranging from self-driving vehicles to deep space rockets. I was proud to join Wolverine Coil Spring and local students for Manufacturing Week to highlight the promise of Michigan’s manufacturing industry, and I will continue my efforts in Congress to strengthen our manufacturing sector, build a skilled workforce and keep our country at the forefront of innovation.”
“Manufacturing is not just a part of America’s past, it is a critical part of our country’s future. One of the biggest challenges companies like Wolverine Coil Spring face is recruiting and retaining talented employees to take on these high-tech jobs,” said Jay Dunwell, President of Wolverine Coil Spring. “The future belongs to the students who are ready to create and build the technologies that will help solve the big challenges we face, and I’m honored to have Senator Peters with us today to help encourage the next generation to explore all that advanced manufacturing has to offer.”
Peters is a strong supporter of Michigan’s manufacturing industry. The Senate Commerce Committee recently passed bipartisan legislation introduced by Peters to set federal science and research priorities. The American Innovation and Competitiveness Act includes provisions to improve and expand science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) educational opportunities, which will help train America’s skilled workforce. It also includes a provision to strengthen the Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) – a public-private partnership dedicated to providing technical support and services to small and medium-sized manufacturers. MEP centers across the country offer resources that enable manufacturers to compete globally, support greater supply chain integration, and provide access to information, training, and technologies that improve efficiency, productivity and profitability. Michigan’s MEP affiliate, the Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center (MMTC), has been working for 25 years to support Michigan businesses, including Wolverine Coil Spring.
“MMTC is proud to partner with businesses like Wolverine Coil Spring to help them improve their performance, grow and compete. For 25 years, MMTC has worked to support thousands of Michigan businesses, and we are looking forward to the continuing this work for decades to come,” said Mike Coast, President and CEO of Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center. “I thank Senator Peters for his leadership to strengthen the Manufacturing Extension Partnership so affiliates like MMTC can help even more small manufacturers make great products, hire local workers and compete on a global scale.”
Established in 1946, Wolverine Coil Spring Company is a third-generation family business and a leader in manufacturing innovative metalformed products for the automotive industry, appliances, hardware and office furniture. Their product lines include Extinglo™ ashtrays and the Krinkle Cut™ cake slicer.
