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MANUFACTS
a newsletter of the Montana Manufacturing Association
June 2022
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Manufacturing: Montana's Unsung Hero
by Todd O'Hair, President/CEO
Manufacturing is an “unsung hero” of Montana’s economy and I am continually learning of diverse and innovative manufacturing operations in Montana. Businesses that have been operating for years, some in business for generations, humbly supporting their local community, providing good paying, safe jobs, and many employing some of the most advanced technology available on the market.
Additionally, as new business investment locates to Montana or considers Montana for expansion, many have a manufacturing component.
Consider Hyundai Motor Group and their New Horizon’s Studio coming to Bozeman. Starting with R&D, they intend to expand to manufacturing what is best described as an extreme off road vehicle or ultimate mobility vehicle. Not for recreational purposes, but for commercial purposes. A vehicle that can access challenging locations; consider fire monitoring, search and rescue, agriculture applications, payload delivery in difficult terrain and any other number of uses as examples—designed and built in Montana, using Montana materials whenever possible.
The Montana Chamber of Commerce welcomed Hyundai Motor Group to Montana with Governor Gianforte (link to press release or news article here) and we are excited about the future for this globally recognized and respected brand to have operations in Montana. It’s a great example of the potential for Montana in the small to mid sized manufacturing space.
The Montana Manufacturing Association, under the umbrella of the Montana Chamber of Commerce, will be dedicating more attention to Montana’s existing success and our great potential. We’re starting with a tour of “Montana’s Exporter of the Year”, Wood’s PowrGrip in Laurel, an educational component featuring Associated Employers, and concluding with a networking reception at High Plains Brewery in Laurel.
With participation and constructive feedback from our MMA members and other manufacturers on how MMA can provide value, we will dedicate more resources to growing the MMA. Be sure to register for our first manufacturing tour and help us construct an organization that meets the current and future needs of a valuable industry in Montana and take that industry from “unsung” to “well played”.
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Upcoming Events
Montana Manufacturing Association June Tour & Reception: Beginning with a brief HR educational opportunity from Associated Employers and followed by a tour of Wood’s Powr-Grip, we’ll wrap up the event with a networking reception at High Plains Brewery. Please join us for this fantastic networking opportunity and visit with your MMA community of business leaders over a cold drink. A no-host food truck will be available for a bite to eat.
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Manufacturing Headlines in Montana
Hyundai New Horizons Studio to Design and Build Ultimate Mobility Vehicles in Bozeman, Montana
Hyundai New Horizons Studio (NHS), a unit focused on the development of Ultimate Mobility Vehicles (UMVs), will open a new Research, Development and Lab Center in Bozeman, Montana. NHS Bozeman is an estimated $20 million investment in Hyundai’s Progress for Humanity vision, redefining transportation with accessible, sustainable and smart mobility solutions...READ MORE.
Applied Materials Expansion Brings 200 Jobs to Evergreen
After purchasing the former Shopko building in Evergreen that sat vacant for four years, Applied Materials will begin full semiconductor-plating manufacturing production in the 100,000-square-foot building next month to meet the demand of the growing industry...READ MORE.
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Laurel company named Montana Exporter of the Year
The Montana District Export Council (DEC) is awarding the 2021 Montana Exporter of the Year award to Wood’s Powr-Grip of Laurel. This is the 25th anniversary of the DEC and the award...READ MORE.
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School’s Out for the Summer: What Employers Should Know About Hiring Minors
Written by Jessa Remington, HR Business Partner
Despite the fact that unemployment rates for Montana, Wyoming, and North Dakota remain well below the national rate, many employers continue to struggle to fill vacant positions. This is evidenced by the prevalent “now hiring” signs that adorn the doors and windows of countless businesses. Some employers are beginning to receive a welcome reprieve from their hiring struggles as younger workers enter the workforce during summer break. This influx of workers, although welcome, may be accompanied by its own pitfalls and missteps if employers are unaware of work restrictions and labor laws for younger workers. Here are a few things to keep in mind when considering hiring minors…
Minors Under the Age of 16:
As a general rule, the FLSA sets 14 years of age as the minimum age for employment and limits the number of hours worked by minors under age 16. During the summer months, 14- and 15-year-olds may not be employed:
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Before 7 a.m. or after 9 p.m. from June 1 through Labor Day (7 a.m. to 7a.m. the rest of the year),
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More than 8 hours on a non-school day (3 hours on school days),
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More than 40 hours a week during non-school weeks (18 hours in school weeks), or
- In hazardous occupations, including but not limited to certain jobs in manufacturing, mining, operating power-driven machinery and connected with warehousing, storage, transportation, public utilities, and construction.
Minors 16 and 17 Years of Age:
Although not subject to the same hours restrictions as their younger peers, minors 16 or 17 years of age may not be employed in or in connection with hazardous occupations, including but not limited to certain jobs in manufacturing, mining, operating power-driven machinery and work connected with warehousing, storage, transportation, public utilities, and construction.
Specific restrictions to hours and allowable occupations vary by state and locality. Certain states require work permits/age certificates for employment of minors, so it’s important to familiarize yourself with these state and local regulations.
Employers also need to use caution when discussing age in the recruitment process. Most employers are familiar with The Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, which prohibits employers with 20 or more employees and some private sector employers from discriminating based on age against persons who are 40 years of age or older. In Montana, a person of any age may bring an age discrimination complaint regardless of the employer size. Many other states also have differing age protections, so employers should refrain from asking about age on your employment application and ensure that age is a bona fide employment qualification if you are denying employment based on age.
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The Montana Manufacturing Association (MMA) is the organization for manufacturers and their supporters in Montana. The MMA helps build manufacturing in Montana in several ways:
- connecting manufacturers and supporters to build business;
- advocating for legislation and rules that benefit manufacturing;
- supporting and promoting international trade; and
- educating Montanans about the importance of manufacturing.
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THE MANUFACTS IS SPONSORED BY |
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