The basics:

• Hosted by the NJMEP, “MADE in NJ” Manufacturing Day 2024 was the largest in the event’s history.
• The day celebrates the sector in New Jersey, featuring industry leaders, a business showcase, networking, product displays, panels, student robotics demonstrations, awards and more.
• The event included a legislative panel discussion that focused on issues affecting the industry, including workforce development, energy costs, transportation and challenges with regulatory issues.

The New Jersey Manufacturing Extension Program’s recent “MADE in NJ” Manufacturing Day, held Oct. 4 in Freehold, was the largest in history. More than 930 people registered for the annual event, which celebrates all things manufacturing. It features industry leaders and stakeholders, a business showcase representing different sectors that support manufacturing, networking opportunities, displays of “MADE in NJ” products, panels/speeches/breakout sessions, the ever-popular student robotics demonstration (see the video below), awards and Honor Roll inductees, and more.

The awards highlighted outstanding manufacturers and industry leaders who NJMEP says are driving economic growth and creating job opportunities across the state – showcasing New Jersey’s range from large-scale to small manufacturers, rising stars and everything in between.

The success of the day reflects an apparent wave of momentum in the Garden State manufacturing sector, with several notable recent developments. The day also reflected a point of emphasis for NJMEP Chief Executive Officer Peter Connolly and the organization – partnerships, which he told NJBIZ in September would be a focal point of Manufacturing Day. That was on full display throughout the event.

“This day highlights just how critical partnerships are in driving success for the manufacturing industry in New Jersey. Collaborations like ‘Manufacturing Counts’ with NJBIA and our efforts to engage South Jersey and the extended partnership with [the Chamber of Commerce of Southern New Jersey] enable us to connect more manufacturers, provide greater support, and offer opportunities that no single organization could achieve alone,” Connolly told NJBIZ.

“The growth we’ve seen is a direct result of these partnerships, showcasing the innovation and resilience of our manufacturing community,” he added. “Together, we’re building a stronger, more competitive industry that benefits not just New Jersey, but the entire country.”

‘Great day … great partnership’

New Jersey Business & Industry Association President and CEO Michele Siekerka echoed that sentiment during her remarks.

“This is a great day and yes, a great partnership,” said Siekerka. “I call our BIA partnership with NJMEP an ‘uber relationship.’ Because we are taking it truly to the next level – making sure that each and every way while NJMEP is providing you resources on the ground, we are out there advocating tirelessly on your behalf for an affordable and regionally competitive business climate here in the State of New Jersey. And within that, creating and sustaining jobs – and making sure we can fill the pipeline to do that. So, we have so much to celebrate here in the State of New Jersey – and you’re at the heart of it.” 

Connolly and Siekerka co-moderated a legislative panel discussion that featured Assemblywoman Verlina Reynolds-Jackson, D-5th District; Sen. Andrew Zwicker, D-16th District; Michael Egenton, executive vice president, New Jersey Chamber of Commerce; Anthony Russo, president, Commerce and Industry Association of New Jersey; and Sen. Mike Testa, R-1st District. The conversation focused on manufacturing issues from the Trenton perspective and what improvements can be made in terms of policy, dialogue and process.

Some areas of focus included the importance of pathway programs; energy costs and solutions; workforce development; transportation; challenges with regulatory issues; the budget process; and the importance of collaboration between the business community, government, and other stakeholders to develop effective policies and programs to support manufacturing and economic growth in New Jersey.

“Working together is really critically important. We need to run things through the bicameral, bipartisan Manufacturing Caucus,” said Zwicker, stressing that manufacturing needs a seat at the main table and doesn’t just get “crumbs” from the proverbial kid’s table.

Reynolds-Jackson echoed that point. “We need more women,” she said, noting her own career experiences. “So, I think we need to look out for that – and make sure that we are welcome and being able to hear our voices at the table.”

“I just think we need to have more intellectually honest conversations and make this Manufacturing Caucus really mean something,” said Testa, co-chair of the Manufacturing Caucus. “Just like Trenton Makes and the World Takes. And when you have those intellectually honest conversations, I think that will actually help shape better business policy for the State of New Jersey.”

Egenton began his closing remarks by crediting the three lawmakers on the panel for their efforts to regularly meet with and understand the concerns of the business community. He also spoke about overregulation.

“There’s the Legislature. There’s the governor’s office. Then you have the regulatory agencies – and a few of them have gone off the charts. They don’t stay in their lane. They think – I’m interpreting it this way and it’s my way or the highway,” said Egenton, who noted that the Legislature has power of oversight. He suggested those committees have more dialogue with regulators about how some laws and regulations are being interpreted. “It’s a little off kilter and you’re adding more things there – that are requiring mandates on the business community.”

Russo noted that he tells members that in New Jersey, you have to think about legislation, regulation as well as policy. “And policy is never clear. And I guarantee you everybody in the audience has a story where a policy matter impacted your operations,” said Russo. “And I think we need to address that.”

He reflected on the beginning of his career when a manufacturer pulled him aside at the State House and stressed that when New Jersey makes something – and it could be anything, wealth is generated.

“And that helps everybody,” said Russo.

Manufacturing Day also featured the NJMEP’s new Mobile Training Center on location. The state-of-the-art, custom-built RV is equipped with the latest in advanced manufacturing technologies such as 3D printers, robotic arms, HAAS PLC-powered CNC mills, and augmented reality welding equipment. The mobile training lab is set to be deployed across the state to different manufacturing operations, community centers and schools. It will also be used during upcoming stops along the Future Makers and Creators Tour.

“This Mobile Training Center was one of the first real investments I wanted to make when I came on board with NJMEP,” Connolly said in August when it launched. “When I was joining the team and held the role of COO, I heard two reoccurring challenges; transportation issues holding manufacturers back from investing in professional development training for their teams and the need to engage K-12 students to show them, their parents, and school counselors that manufacturing was a viable career path. Employing this Mobile Training Center will solve both those challenges.”

“’MADE in NJ’ Manufacturing Day has grown year over year and been able to connect more New Jersey manufacturers with opportunities and provided more exposure for these small-medium sized businesses than any one organization could do on their own,” Mike Womack, director, Marketing & Communications at NJMEP, told NJBIZ. “We at NJMEP are trainers and consultants but most importantly, we are connectors and want to shine a spotlight on the industry, so the state and country don’t overlook how important manufacturing really is to our communities and economy.

“Watching this event grow, seeing new manufacturers and faces every year, it’s incredible we get to give that back to the New Jersey manufacturing industry.”