Manufacturing is an important part of the history of the Lakes Region. This project will look at the past, present, and future of running a business in this area. Participants will put together a proposal for building/acquiring/ running a manufacturing business.
Day 1 -
Students spent the morning by beginning their research on how to develop a Lakes Region manufacturing business. After defining manufacturing as, "creation or production of a product using machines, tools and labor to turn raw material into goods," the group was split into two teams where they will work together to develop a business model throughout the week. Students then created resumes based off their prospective job title in the new company. The afternoon was spent at a local manufacturing plant for the global company Freudenberg. Through the extensive tour of the facility, students were able to see how a plant works from start to finish and ask questions pertinent to running a business in New Hampshire. We finished the day with a group dinner at a local favorite, the Italian Farmhouse.
Day 2 -
Students spent the morning researching their product development for their Lakes Region Business. Each group then presented their product to the full project group. In the afternoon, we traveled to Laconia, NH to explore another town known for manufacturing. Though our tour of New Hampshire Ball Bearings was cancelled due to illness, we were able to drive to the factory to get a glimpse of the magnitude of their operating plant. We then headed just down the road to the Belknap Mill. Built in 1823, the Belknap Mill replaced an older wooden mill that had burned down in 1811, and was integral to the Industrial Revolution. Originally a sock factory, the building is now a historical society, and students were treated to a tour which included some of the kitting machines used in the mill, as well as parts of the machinery that powered the mill using water from the dammed river. In contrast to the modern factory we saw yesterday, it was interesting to see the evolution of manufacturing in our region.
Day 3 -
Our third day focused on market product research. Looking at such factors as supply and demand, the consumer base, market opportunities and market threats, students continued to develop their business plans. After a long day in the "office" the group headed out for some team building bowling at the nearby Funspot! Project leader Mr. Hobbs showed off his skills hitting strike after strike.
Day 4 -
Thursday brought lots of rain to New Hampshire, as well as our second large scale factory tour. We traveled down to Rochester, NH to visit the Albany International composites factory. AI uses woven carbon fiber to create composite components for the aerospace industry. In contrast to the multiple smaller car engine parts from Freudenberg-NOK on Monday, AI makes just a few highly specialized parts for 3 different aircraft, one of their parts is pictured as the table base in the picture!
Day 5 -
Our final day to put together product pitches for the new Lakes Region manufacturing companies. Each team worked hard to develop their business plan, their marketing materials and overall product. Which Shark will choose to invest with us!