In the face of adversity, remarkable stories of positive and powerful change often emerge. IMTS+ is thrilled to present the inspiring journey of Andrew Crowe, the founder of
(NAMR) and an industry motivational speaker, in an IMTS+ Original Series. Brace yourself for a powerful surge of motivation as we dive into how Crowe turned his challenges into opportunities. aired on May 25 on IMTS.com, followed by .
鈥淲e are committed to creating an inclusive and diverse manufacturing landscape by actively engaging and empowering women, minorities, and underserved communities,鈥� says Crowe. 鈥淲e seek to address historical disparities, promote economic mobility, and forge pathways to success in the manufacturing industry. We firmly believe that by providing equal access and opportunity, we can unleash the untapped potential and talent that resides within these communities, leading to a more prosperous and resilient nation.鈥�
In 2022, Crowe took that message on tour, making nine stops across the country. Each stop was incredibly different than the last. 鈥淭hat was the beauty of it,鈥� says Crowe. 鈥淎nd it looked like America with each one of these people in a different way. I watched the audience go from hoodies and Jordans to cowboy hats and Wranglers and boots.鈥�
The tour had two main objectives:
1) Get communities and people excited and involved in manufacturing.
2) Provide access by showing industry the pockets of people in communities that want jobs and help them plug into those communities.
鈥淲e touched over 3,000 people,鈥� says Crowe. 鈥淚n Wichita, the aerospace capital, which no one even knows, what I heard was, 鈥楢t our school, we have all these great programs but no way to connect to the community, and the community doesn鈥檛 look like the people running these programs.鈥欌��
Crowe found key players in economic development boards and mayors鈥� offices. 鈥淭hey want kids to be educated about things that matter and to keep their manufacturing base there and profitable in order to attract more manufacturers,鈥� says Crowe. 鈥淭he manufacturers want skilled workers.鈥�
Crowe grew up in St. Louis, and while he was a fair student and good at football, he followed the flash of drugs and paid for it with time served. With a desire to be better and be there for his son 鈥� coupled with incredible persistence and an opportunity to run a CNC 鈥� Crowe changed the arc of his life.
Now, as a full-time public speaker for the tour, Crowe is spreading a message of a growing manufacturing industry that needs all Americans that are willing and capable to participate in the industry.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a global competition, where other nations are bringing all possible minds, creativity, and experiences to the manufacturing table. We need to start there, because there are groups of Americans that have not been at the table, but that doesn鈥檛 mean someone has to give up their seat.鈥�
In fact, the table is growing because of automation and robotics. Also, where there may be executives leaving other industries, manufacturing may benefit from their expertise in areas of diversification and community relations, for example. 鈥淲e need to start going after that expertise,鈥� says Crowe.
The field itself is in a place where business models will shift. 鈥淎 machinist is not necessarily a person who went through training for one task,鈥� says Crowe. 鈥淭hey may know welding programming and G code, so why put them through manual first and then be hazed. It鈥檚 not a rite of passage thing anymore. We can build their skills and knowledge to fit these careers and jobs.鈥�
In addition to the tour, Crowe was heavily involved in a collaborative effort with communities, educators, and industry leaders to elevate the next generation of highly skilled trade professionals. , presented by Project MFG, is a national integrated manufacturing competition that showcases careers in trades by putting students鈥� skills to the test in a television reality competition worth $100,000.
鈥淐ommunity colleges and high schools in the U.S. put four-person teams together to showcase their skills in areas of manufacturing,鈥� says Crowe. 鈥淎t the end, we give away $100,000 to the winning school and team.鈥�
Crowe became involved when he had the opportunity to address Congress, the secretary of defense, joint chiefs of staff, and the White House on the day Russia invaded Ukraine. The discussion centered on the U.S. industrial base, defense, and manufacturing.
鈥淚f we need to get into a conflict, do we have the base to support it,鈥� asks Crowe. 鈥淭he show is sponsored by the Department of Defense, so they understand that we need the representation. They saw a fire in me and thought it was a great match for the show.鈥�
Crowe is quick to dismiss any manufacturing rockstar persona: 鈥淚t's never been about me; it's always been about the community in our industry. How do I make our industry better and keep it here for a long time and pay it back for what it did for me? And then how do I also connect a community that really needs these careers and these jobs that elevate?鈥�
He鈥檚 just as humble when it comes to the tour and his mission. 鈥淚 don't want to be the guy, and that's why I didn't name it the Drew Crowe tour and it鈥檚 The New American Manufacturing Renaissance Tour,鈥� says Crowe. 鈥淏ut who else is going to get out there and connect with these communities in a way that they're going to understand it? Right now, it鈥檚 me.鈥� Risk Takers and Goal Makers
Grit. Resolve. Mettle. No matter how you describe it, there are plenty of people in the manufacturing industry who have the courage and audacity to dream big and do bigger. These are the individuals featured in鈥�, an IMTS+ original series:鈥疊e sure to watch Season Three of this documentary-style series, which follows a diverse set of leaders, visionaries, and influencers who have shaped the future of the modern manufacturing industry. Watch them at .
