FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Ian Donohue
Digital Marketing Communications Manager +1.570.490.6816 | donohuei@kydex.com
Bloomsburg, PA, USA – October 20, 2026 – SEKISUI KYDEX welcomed local students and educators to their South Campus for Manufacturing Day on Wednesday, October 14, 2026. More than 150 local students joined SEKISUI KYDEX for Manufacturing Day, a nationwide initiative that introduces young people to modern manufacturing and the range of careers it supports.
Sean Stabler, Vice President of Innovation for SEKISUI KYDEX, stated, “It’s challenging for high school students to consider a future career path if they have never been introduced to a variety of options, and Manufacturing Day is that opportunity. This day gives students a glimpse into how a local company utilizes professionals who have earned college degrees, worked while receiving employer-provided on-the-job skill development training, or acquired trade skills learned during high school year programs. SEKISUI KYDEX provides examples of all of these opportunities through our workforce during hands-on demonstrations throughout our facility.”
Students from Benton Area High School, Bloomsburg High School, Central Columbia Area High School, and Columbia-Montour Area Vocational-Technical School discovered how many different paths can lead to a career in manufacturing. The visit highlighted roles including inspector/packer, extrusion operator, quality technician, color technician, production engineer, automation engineer, appLab™ engineer, graphic designer, and traditional business support positions.
The program combined a company and careers overview with a campus tour showing how KYDEX® Thermoplastics are made. Interactive workshops then gave students a closer look at the people, technologies, and problem-solving skills that shape the industry. Josh Bell, Organizational Development Manager for SEKISUI KYDEX, stated, “Manufacturing Day is about more than showing people what we make. It’s about showing them the people, skills, creativity, and teamwork behind it. We had a lot of fun opening our doors, sharing what we do, and hopefully giving the next generation a different perspective on what a career in manufacturing can look like.”
This year, a new design-build-and-drop challenge invited students to create a device to protect an egg when dropped from a bridge. The activity quickly became a highlight of the day, encouraging students to communicate, solve problems, test ideas, and work together toward a shared goal.
In the appLab™, students used advanced innovation and testing equipment. In the designLab®, they explored color science by developing their own colors and completing a color acuity activity. A fire simulator introduced practical safety skills, while the manufacturing station demonstrated how extrusion components, maintenance equipment, and automation help keep production running.
For a more in-depth look at careers at SEKISUI KYDEX, visit kydex.com/careers.
About SEKISUI KYDEX SEKISUI KYDEX innovates and creates sustainable KYDEX® and ALLEN® thermoplastic material solutions for the next generation of product design. SEKISUI Chemical’s corporate commitment to Speed, Service, and Superiority is realized through the SEKISUI KYDEX business model of manufacturing bespoke materials with short lead times in small quantities. This Quick Response Manufacturing (QRM) model, spanning three manufacturing campuses, extends beyond thermoplastic sheet. Our mission is to challenge what’s possible and deliver beyond imagination. SEKISUI KYDEX is more than a raw material supplier; we are a solution provider.
As a collaborative partner and the world’s leading pioneer of thermoplastic solutions – done responsibly, we put innovation at the forefront, guiding you from beginning to end. With more than 300 dedicated team members in Bloomsburg, PA, and Holland, MI, they are committed to delivering more than their customers can imagine.
Visit www.kydex.com for more information. |
