There are many organizations working to bring more women into the manufacturing field. And while these efforts are making an impact on the makeup of the manufacturing workforce overall, the C-suite has not seen much of a change. According to a recent survey of women working in manufacturing, women believe they are underrepresented in their organizations' leadership teams.
Fortunately, there are already a few women who are making their mark as leaders in their manufacturing organizations. We spoke with two of them: Natalie Menke, president of Universal Blower Pac; and Paige D Bowen, President of Seelye Acquisitions, Inc., to get their insights on leading the way in manufacturing organizations and their advice for women looking to move into leadership roles.
Natale Menke (NM): My father was in manufacturing. After I graduated from college with a degree in mechanical engineering, I went to work for a consulting engineering firm. I loved the work and main client; however, I missed the actual manufacturing portion of seeing my designs come to life.
Paige Bowen (PB): I was actually born into the industry. My father has been in the plastic industry for more than 50 years. He was the President of Seelye Plastics, Seelye, Inc., and Eiler Plastics in Minnesota. When I was old enough to start working during my summer and holiday breaks he had me come into his office and file, answer the phones, or do whatever needed to be done. As I got older, I worked and learned all the different positions throughout the plastic companies. In 1995, my father purchased Seelye, Inc, one of the leading manufacturers of hot air thermoplastic welders. In 1998, he moved the company from Minnesota to Florida. After I graduated college I also decided to move to Florida. I tried a few different jobs over the next couple years. Finally in 2000, I decided to come back to my family’s company and worked my way up from inside sales to president of the company.
NM: Being able to design something then see it come to life is what drove me towards this industry. Designing solely on paper does not allow you to learn from real life mistakes compared to theoretical design. The manufacturing process provides more complications to deal with. However, controlling the whole process from design to a finished product provides a full service for our customers and that is very exciting to be a part of.
PB: For me, it was truly an industry I knew. I have been involved in it since I was a kid, so I know the industry like the back of my hand. Another reason I chose to stay in the plastic industry is because I want to help find more environmentally friendly ways to use the plastic. I believe the best way to make changes and to help is by staying in the industry, continuing to learn new techniques and educating others about the benefits of plastics.
NM: The biggest misperception is that it is a man’s world and that it will be hard to work your way to the top. Women have natural caring and leading skills that can give us an edge. If one is left-brained with a technical background, we are just as able to get into the mess that is manufacturing and lead with the right decision matrices.
PB: I think if you had asked me that question 20 years ago, or even 10 years ago, I would have said that the industry didn’t make it easy for women to enter. It was like most industries, men were treated as if they were better equipped. However, the industry has now really opened up to women. I remember going to plastic conventions a decade ago and being one of very few women there. Now there are very few booths where there isn’t at least one woman working. I think a lot of women originally, and some may still, thought that manufacturing was a “get down and dirty” type of job. Don’t get me wrong, if that is what you want, manufacturing can offer plenty of dirt. But there is so much to manufacturing, there is the engineering aspect, procurement, logistics, sales, marketing, design, environmental, etc. When I was younger and would tell people what I did for a living their response was usually, “Wow, I didn’t expect that" or "So you must handle the phones and clerical duties.” Today when I tell people what I do their response is much different. I now usually hear, “That is so interesting! How did you get into that industry?”
NM: The degrees that are required to lead in manufacturing are still heavily dominated by men. As such, women are outnumbered. The perception can sometimes be that we do not know what we are talking about. However, that is quickly overcome with consistent leadership and technical skills. Once you have proven yourself as a sound technical mind along with leadership skills, the sky’s the limit.
PB: I feel women still have to work harder than the men to prove themselves. I have found that my conversations with certain individuals take more time because I have to go into more detail to prove I know what I am talking about. It isn’t as bad as it was, I rarely deal with people who say “I would prefer to speak to a man.” which I used to hear a lot. But there are still the meetings I walk into and I am the only woman at the table and majority of the phone calls I take are from men. As a woman, that can be a bit daunting. However, I think women today are stronger in self and more confident in their abilities. A lot of the women I know and follow have no problem standing up and saying, “Wait, you need to listen to me, I know what I am talking about.”
NM: I donate to the Women’s Engineering Fund as well as speak at a few career lunches, science classes, or general engineering lessons from elementary to middle school in our local school system. This encourages young children and girls that we can do any career since they are seeing me live it. It also promotes awareness in the industry and engineering for those students.
PB: To be honest, I am not officially involved in any programs that are working to overcome challenges for women in the manufacturing industry. I do, however, support, encourage and try to educate those I do come in contact with, in and out of my profession, about the benefits of working in the manufacturing industry. In today’s society we need to support one another more, accept each other and stop trying to push those that are different from us away, including allowing women to enter male-dominated industries. I find myself wanting to fight more to be seen and respected for what I do and what I can offer. Like I said previously, more and more women are finding it easier to stand up and say, “I have something to contribute.”
NM: Decisiveness and authority. Being that women are outnumbered, you must be able to hold your ground, to speak intelligently and with authority when required.
PB: Knowledge over all other things is the most important skill a woman can have in manufacturing…actually, in any profession. The more knowledge you have the easier it gets to handle those situations that still arise at times with people who still haven’t entered into the 21st century. Whether it is dealing with a man who thinks only another man will know the answer, or changing old ways of doing things, knowledge always gives a person a step up. There isn’t one job or aspect of our company that I do not know how to handle. Knowing your own particular job is good, but being knowledgeable about other jobs in your company makes you a team player. You do not have to be an expert in all the fields, but knowing how all the departments work independently and then how and when they intersect is extremely importantly
"Knowledge over all other things is the most important skill a woman can have in manufacturing"
NM: Do not speak just to be heard, but speak to provide benefit for the conversation. Do not be afraid to be wrong. Embrace all sides of yourself by putting it out there to see how you can help the company. Always “dress” for the next level of your employment. This doesn’t mean taking control, but if you are stepping up to the plate every time and correctly, the promotion will be yours.
PB: My advice would be, continue educating yourself, continue to be heard, but also be a good listener. A lot of what I have learned through the years is from listening to and watching others who have been in the industry longer than I have been.
NM: Learn the details of the process. Contemplate what excites you and what scares you about it. In the end, if you love what you do, it is not work. Manufacturing is stressful. At the end of the day, a product is put together. If you enjoy that portion of it and the manufacturing process excites you, go for it.
PB: I would tell her manufacturing is a fun industry to be in. There are so many opportunities, and don’t let the appearance of it being primarily male dominated to discourage her. I would tell her to be confident in her knowledge, her skills and be open to learning from those around her. Being a team player not only helps in educating oneself but it also allows her to show what she has to offer to others.
Whether your interest is in production, management, natural resources, or engineering, there's a manufacturing occupation for everyone. The industry continues toward an upward projection as reshoring creates more business opportunities.
Check out our manufacturing resources below and learn more about the state of the industry: