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“This is a critical time, not just in New Jersey, but in this country, for manufacturing,” said Michele Siekerka, president and CEO of the New Jersey Business & Industry Association, speaking earlier this month at the 11th annual “Made in NJ” Manufacturing Day. “All eyes are back on manufacturing – for good reason and for good purpose. And it is now the opportunity for all of us together to make sure that we keep all eyes on manufacturing.”

That was the spirit and feeling throughout iPlay America in Freehold, the site of the annual event organized by the New Jersey Manufacturing Extension Program.

Manufacturing Day brought together some 1,000 attendees – a mix of industry professionals, stakeholders, legislators, exhibitors and others to highlight and celebrate Garden State manufacturing.

The event featured speeches; panels; breakout sessions; an exhibitor hall; displays of Made in NJ goods and products; ample networking opportunities; and robotics demonstrations with teams from three high schools – Clifton, Roxbury, and Villa Walsh Academy.

“This day represents a celebration of our thriving manufacturing industry – a testament to innovation, hard work, and a collaborative spirit that defines manufacturing,” said Peter Connolly, NJMEP chief executive officer, during his opening remarks. “Manufacturing – both on a local and global scale, holds a significant place in the heart of our economy and society.”

NJBIZ hit the road yet again today, this time to stop by the @njmep‘s 11th Annual “MADE in New Jersey” #ManufacturingDay – which, of course, included competing robots. 📸 Click through for more photos of the day’s events! 📲 https://t.co/N9c5psbyye pic.twitter.com/8WFgSyz1DB

— NJBIZ (@NJBIZ) October 6, 2023

Connolly noted that the day was one to acknowledge the remarkable achievements of local manufacturers – the dedicated men and women who craft products that impact our daily lives.

“From cutting-edge technology to traditional craftsmanship, we have it all right here in our backyard,” said Connolly. “Our New Jersey manufacturing base serves as a platform to showcase the diversity and ingenuity that defines our manufacturing center in New Jersey. It is a day to recognize the individuals who turned raw materials into something extraordinary, in the organizations that invest in the future – driving progress not only for our community, but for the entire state.”

Award winners who were recognized included:

• Manufacturer of the Year (Small) – L-E-M Plastics & Supply Inc., Fairfield
• Manufacturer of the Year (Medium) – Bestwork Industries for the Blind Inc., Cherry Hill
• Manufacturer of the Year (Large) – Nipro Pharmapackaging Americas Corp., Millville
• Innovator of the Year – Case Medical Inc., Bloomfield
• Rising Star Award – Micaela Alvarez, engineer and operational director, Universal Nutrition Inc.

NJMEP also recognized six individuals as new inductees to the Made in NJ Honor Roll for their contributions to the manufacturing sector. Those honorees include:

• Pravina Raghavan, director, Hollings Manufacturing Extension Program
• Christina Renna, president and CEO, Chamber of Commerce Southern New Jersey
• State Sen. Mike Testa, R-1st District
• Anthony Iacono, president, County College of Morris
• Aaron Fichtner, president, New Jersey Council of County Colleges
• Steven Gerber, NJMEP secretary emeritus
• Robert Loderstat, CEO emeritus, NJMEP

As he introduced New Jersey Economic Development Authority CEO Tim Sullivan, Connolly noted that the agency had recently hired the former head of NJMEP, John Kennedy (who Connolly succeeded earlier this year) as a senior adviser to Sullivan on manufacturing.

Sullivan stressed that this event and these conversations around manufacturing were happening at a momentous and positive time in the arc of the state’s development. “Manufacturing continues to be one of the unsung heroes of the New Jersey economy,” said Sullivan. “A quarter-million people earn their living in manufacturing.”

He also pointed out that over the last few years, the state has reversed a trend of declining manufacturing jobs and touted the New Jersey Manufacturing Voucher Program.

“It allocated a little more than $50 million of state-appropriated cash to support manufacturing,” Sullivan explained. “The first round of the Manufacturing Voucher Program launched earlier this year – and we are going to make awards to a little less than 300 manufacturers of vouchers of up to $250,000. And the good news is because of the governor’s inclusion of this in his budget, there’s going to be a second round of that funding in the early part of 2024. It is a voucher. It matches your own investment in new equipment, in energy efficiency in your building, in a number of things.”

Connolly described the NJMVP program as a huge success that has made a real impact, especially with the first round of funds set to be distributed.

As he continues in his first year on the job at the helm of NJMEP, Connolly told NJBIZ that his focus has been on making the rounds throughout the state to interact with manufacturers on the ground as well as to meet with legislators and other stakeholders to discuss different issues. He said that many of those issues or challenges will depend on geographic location. For example, he noted that transportation remained a major challenge in South Jersey. Connolly also mentioned the corporate business tax as well as red tape and regulations that can often strangle businesses.

But, despite those challenges, Connolly said the renewed energy and spotlight on manufacturing, especially in New Jersey, was being felt throughout the sector and certainly at the annual event.

“We would not get a thousand people here if we were not doing something right,” said Connolly.

“As a legislator, I constantly go to Trenton and I see that sign on the Trenton Bridge that says, ‘Trenton Makes, The World Takes,’” Testa told NJBIZ after his induction into the Made in NJ Honor Roll. “And all of the manufacturers that are present today and NJMEP teach me each and every day just how important our manufacturing industry is in the State of New Jersey – and just how honest that sign is.”

The South Jersey senator stressed how important it is for lawmakers to make the business climate friendly and manageable for sectors such as manufacturing.

“For far too long, New Jersey has been a place that really isn’t business-friendly,” said Testa. “My job as a legislator in working with other legislators – in a bipartisan manner – is to make New Jersey much more business-friendly. So that, guess what? Each and every one of you can do what you are there to do – and that’s make the great products that you make each and every day. And that folks like me, that are in the government, can get out of the way to let you guide your companies into the pathways that you need to guide them.”

Testa also cited the opportunities and wages that manufacturing jobs offer while not necessarily requiring a four-year college degree, which are not getting any cheaper.

“Manufacturing is the pathway back for our economy – not only in a post-COVID world – but in a world that we are starting to focus on making sure that our young folks have options for careers in manufacturing,” said Testa.

The event offered a chance for manufacturers to connect with fellow manufacturers, to other stakeholders, business leaders, and attendees to showcase their products and services – while shining the light squarely on the often underappreciated, but essential sector.

“Today is a day to honor the past, enhance the present, and look ahead to the future – where manufacturing remains an integral part of our vibrant New Jersey community,” said Connolly.

Want to see more?

NJBIZ was on the scene at the 2023 Manufacturing Day. Click here to check out a slideshow of more of the day’s events.