Davie County’s seventh graders recently took a significant step toward their futures — exploring the many career paths waiting for them right here at home. Through Manufacturing Day 2025, students toured local industries and discovered how classroom lessons connect to real-world careers in advanced manufacturing and skilled trades.
Students from South Davie Middle School toured Ashley Furniture Industries, Inc., PRO Refrigeration, and Dex Heavy Duty Parts, while 7th graders from North Davie explored Fuller Welding & Fabricators, Reeb, and Gildan. Middle-schoolers from Ellis experienced Ingersoll Rand, Palltronics, and Davidson Davie Community College (DDCC).
Now in its 14th year, Manufacturing Day is a national event celebrated locally through the collaborative efforts of Davie CONNECT, Davie County Economic Development, Davie County Schools, and the Davie County business community.
Connecting Classroom Learning to Real-World Careers
“Middle school students are the next generation workforce, and these tours expose them to career opportunities, show how their current and future curriculum ties to real-world careers, and ignite interest in their future,” said Carolyn McManamy, director of Davie CONNECT. “During the tours, businesses showcased the scope of jobs available at their facilities and discussed the requisite higher education or skills training needed.”
More than 400 students and educators gained firsthand insight into the exciting career possibilities available within Davie County. Local business leaders guided students through their facilities, illustrating how employees rely on math, science, technology, and communication skills each day. Students were impressed by the emphasis on safety, the scale of the operations, and the wide range of career paths open to them.
Sparking Curiosity and Inspiring Pathways
“Manufacturing Day is an annual event that allows manufacturers and businesses in our area to showcase potential careers to our students and educators as a career exploration activity for our seventh graders. By providing this experience for our students, they get to see in person potential careers that are in need here in Davie County,” said David Koontz, director of CTE and Federal Programs for Davie County Schools. “We hope that these experiences will spark an interest in what they may want to pursue once they get to high school, helping them choose a career pathway that aligns with their goals. When students discover a potential career interest early in their education, this will help them identify the type of skills they need to obtain, along with information on how to obtain those skills, training, or an educational degree.”
Erica Bost, who teaches English Language Arts and social studies at Ellis, agreed. “I think Manufacturing Day offers an opportunity to introduce our students to different career paths available within our county. Through engaging tours led by local business leaders, students gain firsthand insight into how professionals apply math, science, technology, and communication skills in real-world settings.
Students were equally enthusiastic about the experience, sharing how the tours opened their eyes to new possibilities and made classroom lessons feel more connected to the real world.
My favorite part was going to DDCC and learning about different careers. We got to see a mannequin/dummy that had a pulse. You could see its heartbeat in its chest,” said Ellis 7th grader, Alex Hirata.
Industry Leaders Inspire the Future Workforce
Local industries embraced the opportunity to engage directly with students and help shape the county’s future talent pipeline.
Palltronics, a global innovator in high-tech pallet manufacturing, offered students a rare inside look at one of the most advanced production facilities in the world.
“Palltronics is the only high-tech pallet manufacturing facility of its kind in the world. Engineered and built with high-speed equipment, robotics, and technology that have been custom-designed from the ground up,” said Elwood Hunt, chief operations officer. “We’re proud to call Davie County home and are eager to be a true partner in its growth. By opening our doors to the county’s 7th graders for Manufacturing Day, we aim to inspire the next generation to showcase the exciting possibilities of highly advanced manufacturing. Supporting our community is key to Palltronics’ success, especially its youth—it’s an investment in the future we’re building together.”
At Ashley Furniture, students witnessed automation, robotics, and precision craftsmanship in action.
“Ashley Furniture is proud to host National Manufacturing Day tours to inspire the next generation by showcasing our advanced manufacturing processes, cutting-edge automation, and career opportunities in today’s furniture industry. These tours go beyond the classroom, providing students with the opportunity to experience firsthand the technological innovations and workforce needed to compete on a global scale. By demonstrating manufacturing as an exciting, promising career path, we’re helping strengthen our future workforce and develop the skilled professionals who will drive tomorrow’s economic growth,” shared Hannah Vick, public relations education specialist for Ashley Furniture Industries.
At Reeb, employees enjoyed connecting with students to highlight career growth and leadership potential.
“We really have fun showing students what we can offer them as a career option. From customer service and sales to warehouse and distribution to manufacturing and assembly—we have so many opportunities for students that include development into leadership roles. We hope they enjoyed visiting Reeb as much as we enjoyed hosting them!” said Andrea Kimura, human resources representative.
PRO Refrigeration Inc. echoed those sentiments and hopes to inspire the next generation of the workforce.
“We value the opportunity to welcome local students into our facility and showcase the innovation and craftsmanship behind modern chiller systems and refrigeration manufacturing. By sharing what we do, we hope to inspire the next generation to explore the skilled trades and consider the rewarding career paths our industry offers,” said Damon Reed, chief operating officer.
Manufacturing Day at DEX was all about inspiring the next generation of creators and innovators.
“We were honored to welcome local 7th graders onsite for a behind-the-scenes look at how craftsmanship, technology, and teamwork drive everything we do,” said Carey Hubbard, site manager. “Students experienced the art of DEX firsthand—touring our body shop, learning the process, and even getting the chance to paint themselves as part of the experience (simulated and kid-friendly, of course). These young minds represent the future of our industry, and we’re proud to help spark their curiosity and ambition.”
As Autumn Laster shared, “I hope the Manufacturing tour at DEX opened their eyes to the beauty of the process—how every piece, every step, and every person plays a role in creating something meaningful. Maybe one day, they’ll be part of building something even bigger.” Dayton Coffey added, “It is a blessing to see children who are willing to learn what we do on a daily basis to see how this industry may apply to their lives in the future.”
Building a Bridge Between Education and Industry
This year marks the seventh year that Davie County has participated in Manufacturing Day, and McManamy is thrilled by the continued enthusiasm from students, teachers, and employers alike.
She expressed appreciation for the collaboration that makes this effort possible:
“Aligning business needs with curriculum will ensure Davie County has a ready and able workforce to meet the challenges of businesses today and in the future.”
Through these immersive experiences, Davie CONNECT continues to bridge the gap between education and opportunity — helping students imagine their futures and strengthening the community’s workforce for years to come.
