My Women in Manufacturing Experience

I work for a pretty spectacular manufacturing company, I must say. How amazing to be an employee in a booming and continuously growing business, but, more so, a company that wants to help you become the best and most capable version of yourself. Given the current times and status of today’s working demographic, it is a definite risk to invest in your employees. Exactly why I was so honored when I was offered an incredible opportunity. I did not think twice when my boss approached me to attend an off-site course for Women in Manufacturing. She herself, is very involved in the organization, and is stellar in her role as a leader, a Woman, in Manufacturing, in the role of a CEO, my CEO.

Women in Manufacturing

What is Women in Manufacturing? Women in Manufacturing® (WiM) is the only national trade association dedicated to providing year-round support to women who have chosen a career in the manufacturing industry. At present, more than 3,000 individual members representing nearly 1,000 manufacturing companies have joined our growing ranks of industry professionals. WiM encompasses manufacturers of all types and welcomes individuals from every job function – from production to the C-Suite. Membership is available to women and men working within the manufacturing sector. WiM holds many professional development courses all over. I went to their Management Development Program.  The Management Development Program (MDP) provides new and aspiring supervisors, managers and team leaders, who have three or less years of experience, with training to develop skills that are necessary for managerial success. The MDP takes place over four unique sessions, two of which are in-person. Some of the topics covered include: Effective Communication with DISC, Navigating Difficult Conversations, Ongoing Performance Management, Dynamic Presentations, Finance for the Non-Financial Manager, and many others.

To say that this course has impacted me in a number of ways, is an absolute! With all honesty, I have not been ‘invested’ in as an employee in any of my previous employment positions. Growth is a beautiful and powerful thing! To grow amongst like-minded women in a close-knit environment – where we were safely free to share, encouraged to dive in to our strengths and be drawing boards for all of us in the room was empowering. After the first off-site training, I left with friends. A network of women who, like me, are either impending future leaders, or have recently been promoted to actually leading their own team. This training was intimate. And by that, I mean, it went deep in many of the uncomfortable-to-many areas of…leading. That can oftentimes be a tough role. I can honestly say that I walked away with a sound confidence that I have been provided a sturdy platform of knowledge, my own network, and resources!! Those 3 things make me feel like a slight powerhouse.

I am so thankful to my company, Apex Filling Systems, for providing and encouraging our team members to continue education, to broaden our personal networks…to implement growth and the feel of ‘family’. I can confidently say that I am a proud member of WiM and a proud employee of an ethical and prosperous packaging/manufacturing company. Apex is an upstanding leader in the packaging industry and 100% invested in the mission of providing customers with the best support and technology in filling and capping, to moving and labeling. Trust you are first class when you are involved with the Apex family. We take pride on being a close-knit family built on the premise of constant innovation and impeccable service. Contact us today.

Darren Allie

With 15 years experience in the packaging industry, Darren has traveled the world on jobs of all sizes. He has been working in everything from project management, to sales, to production and has the experience to see the entire process from start to end. Darren steps in for projects to review difficult applications to help come up with solutions that work for every customer. Difficult details are where he excels. Creating a solution built for each customer! Outside of Apex Filling, Darren likes to work on motorcycles, play with fabrication, and spend time working on cars. If you stop by you might even get to see his bike