With the current shift in re-industrialization and manufacturing development in the United States creating a great need and opportunity for work force across the spectrum of production, the launching of Industrion seems to have perfect timing. Coupling that with the fact that most people have not given serious consideration to entering manufacturing in recent years, particularly in the younger generations, illustrates the importance of the role Industrion can play in getting the word out and in matching people with opportunities.
Co-founders Zane Hengsperger, Brandon Schram, and Adam Gartenberg have created Industrion in partnership with New American Industrial Alliance (NAIA). Their aim is to provide a free service for potential employees with all levels of manufacturing work, from executive to entry level positions, in all sectors of the industry, from local shops to large industrial firms, at www.industrion.co.
The Origins of Industrion
The idea for Industrion was spurred in part by the founders’ participation in the Reindustrialize Conference, focused on modernizing the United States’ industrial base through collaboration with leaders in the manufacturing, tech, finance, government, and military domains. The event highlighted the need for much more in the way of resources to develop the talent and ideas to strengthen the domestic manufacturing base and the new venture capitalizes on the interest and excitement surrounding boosting American production, by providing a place to start to interact with the industry.
“The main goal is literally connecting people to the factory floor,” says Schram. “We start as a job board, and we’ll become much more than that, with the goal to become this trusted source to learn how to get into manufacturing, learn different skills, learn where to work, and to see what jobs are open.” Hengsperger adds, “Where we saw two problems occur was that I would talk to people in the community and they would want to know how to get started in manufacturing and where to go. We also think that one of the biggest problems in manufacturing is the critical labor gap. There are going to be way more jobs available. There are going to be 3 to 4 million jobs available by 2035, for a multitude of reasons, and we hope to help people with where to start and want to fill that gap.”
Matching Job Seekers and Employers
Industrion offers a valuable resource to both experienced workers and those new to manufacturing who are seeking work. They also provide services to businesses in need of talent. Although the company is based in the Detroit area and will likely serve many businesses in the automotive arena, their goal is to provide national assistance to all types of manufacturing industries. To that end, to get the word out, Schram says, “We’re talking to trade schools, we’re talking to companies, we’re talking to universities, all to get people on the platform.” Hengsperger has also developed a large social media presence of about 20,000 followers that he uses to make potential employees aware of the opportunities available in the manufacturing world.
Factory tours are also part of the comprehensive agenda to familiarize everyone from investors to potential employees with the modern factory experience. The broad spectrum of Industrion’s agenda that includes educational and skill building makes it unique in providing development assistance to every aspect of manufacturing, rather than just one specific area, such as job postings or technical development. Simply put, Industrion’s mission is to empower both workers and employers to thrive in a modernized industrial landscape.
Variety of Backgrounds for Success
Schram’s background in the investment side of production and supply chain has kept him abreast of the latest technologies and methods in manufacturing. Balancing out Schram is Hengsperger’s experience from the ground up on the factory floor starting as a teenager, to acquiring and becoming general manager of a steel packaging company. These different paths give the co-founders the broad understanding needed to meet the needs of all facets of the industry.
Initially, the three co-founders are the core of the company, but as Industrion develops, more people will be brought in to build out to the levels needed to provide additional services and resources for their clients.
Hengsperger says, “A lot of people think that only way to get into a factory is to get a job, but you can also create your own job.” With the insight offered by Industrion about starting a factory and the resources needed for that, they aim to make that a reality for many more people.
“When someone is thinking about where they start in this big world, with the shift that’s going on in the country, and the world, go to Industrion. I don’t think there’s a better time than right now and there needs to be a low-effort way to get started. We want to be the lowest barrier entry point to get people on the factory floor,” says Schram.
