For Immediate Release
June 25, 2019

Women's Importance in Manufacturing Explored, Oct. 6 Summit Features Industry Leaders, Exhibits and Demonstrations

Explore the importance and impact that women have in a wide range of manufacturing and manufacturing-related industries and how STEM education can support further growth in these industries.

Research shows that gender diversity benefits a manufacturing organization through improved ability to innovate, higher return on equity, and increased profitability. When employees believe that their organization is committed to inclusion, they report better business performance in terms of their ability to innovate. Organizations can also unleash the full potential of their female workforces by creating a culture where unique strengths thrive.

The Women in Manufacturing Summit will be presented at Suffolk County Community College's Michael J. Grant Campus, Brentwood at the Health, Sports and Education Center, on Friday October 6, 2017 from 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Join panel discussions with industry leaders from a wide range of sectors; exhibits including robotics and regional companies showcasing their core products.

The conference is free, but registration is required. Visit www.sunysuffolk.edu/MFG

Suffolk County Community College's Advanced Manufacturing Training Center offers manufacturing and industrial training programs designed to develop and upgrade skills necessary for success in the manufacturing industry. The center offers hands-on, problem-based learning with national certifications in many fields. Visit: https://goo.gl/Sh9738 for more information.
 

Increasing gender diversity in the executive ranks can improve the bottom line, according to a 2016 report by the Peterson Institute for International Economics and EY, the audit firm formerly known as Ernst & Young. Companies with at least 30 percent women in leadership roles may boost their net profit margins by about 15 percent compared with those without female leaders, the study reports.

The study, examined 22,000 companies in 91 countries, found the biggest gains took place when women held senior positions, such as chief financial officer or chief operating officer. Companies run by a female CEO without other women in executive roles or on the board of directors did not perform particularly better or worse than male-run firms.

Despite the apparent economic benefits, many corporations lack gender diversity. Sixty percent of the companies reviewed had no female board members, and more than half had no female executives. Less than 5 percent had a female CEO.

The disparity is particularly acute in manufacturing. Women comprise 47 percent of the U.S. workforce, but only 24 percent of the personnel at durable-goods manufacturers. At a time when U.S. manufacturers are desperate to find the next generation of skilled workers, engineers and managers, women represent a vast pool of untapped talent. Women earn more than half of the associate’s, bachelor’s and master’s degrees in the U.S., and they hold more than half of all U.S. managerial and professional positions.