It’s a promising time to be a manufacturing company. New tax incentives have accelerated the timeline for companies looking to upgrade their machines. As businesses continue to convert to automation and precision-machining, they face the challenge of finding skilled labor to help with those very same machines.

On October 5, 2017, Lt. Governor Sanguinetti visited Pioneer Service to see manufacturing operations, hear the Pioneer story, and collect ideas on reaching more youth for STEM careers like manufacturing. 

Photo (from left to right):

Tiernan Murrell, Co-Director for SparkShop
Steve Brezwyn, V.P. Operations, Pioneer Service
Aneesa Muthana, President & Co-Owner, Pioneer Service
Eric Smith, Director of Sales, Pioneer Service
Lt. Governor of Illinois, Evelyn Sanguinetti
Mayor of Addison, Rich Veenstra
Rose of Sharon DeVos, Business Development Manager, Pioneer Service
James Rewis, Quality Manager, Pioneer Service

In her visit, the Lt. Governor expressed genuine interest in our industry and enthusiasm for engaging more of Illinois' youth in STEM programs boost career opportunities. After a plant tour, Tiernan Murell shared the vision for www.SparkShop.org and was invited to present further to the Rural Affairs Counsel about the program that "sparks" interest in STEM careers in elementary school.

Addison Mayor Rich Veenstra discussed local initiatives to boost manufacturing's image, and had his team create video footage of the visit for inclusion in video production on the subject. It was a great example of local and state government working with small businesses to make a difference in communities!