MFG Day Highlights Industry Impact, Importance

TOPEKA, KAN. – Each year, the first Friday of October highlights one of Kansas’ key industries – manufacturing.

“The manufacturing industry is very important to Kansas. Not only does it have a major impact on our state’s economy, manufacturing also provides crucial resources, as we experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Jeff Chapman, Executive Director of the Kansas Manufacturing Council (KMC). “Although our celebrations will look a bit different this year, Manufacturing Day or MFG DAY highlights Kansas companies that create local jobs and are great representatives for our state, nationally and internationally.”

There are 2,538 manufacturers in Kansas, employing 165,000 people with an average annual compensation of $71,744. Manufacturing produces more than $27 billion in output annually, 16.3% of the total output in the state. Manufacturing helps drive the state’s economy with more than $9.49 billion in annual manufactured good exports to markets such as Canada, Mexico, Japan, United Kingdom, and Germany.

Kansas Governor Laura Kelly recently recognized the importance of the manufacturing industry by signing a proclamation declaring Friday, October 2nd as “MFG Day” in the Sunflower State.

“MFG Day also helps to address common misconceptions about manufacturing by giving manufacturers an opportunity to showcase what they do, what manufacturing is – and what it isn’t,” Chapman said.

The manufacturing industry includes aviation, biosciences, chemical products, computer and electronic components, energy, fabricated metal products, food and beverage products, machinery, motor vehicles and parts, petroleum, plastics and rubber products, printing, transportation equipment, and many other products.