Explore the New Manufacturing is pleased to announce the Eastern Region Manufacturing Innovation Challenge Award was presented to James Rumsey Technical Institute, partnered with Procter & Gamble. The team’s challenge was to develop a rainwater collection and distribution system for P&G’s Tabler Station Manufacturing Facility.
“The Tabler Station Procter and Gamble Manufacturing site was excited to work with the students and facility on a Site Water Sustainability Project,” stated Patrick Winkleman, Environment, Health, and Safety Director for Procter & Gamble. We were very impressed with the students' final concept and presentation. The solution addressed several concerns and requirements that were provided in the chartered work. Congratulations to James Rumsey on winning the Eastern Region, and we wish them well in the state competition.“
Next up for the team is the state competition, where they will represent the Eastern Region to see who will be named the Manufacturing Innovation Challenge 2024 State Champion. James Rumsey Technical Institute will be competing against four other regional champions. The winner will be announced on May 28th as part of Explore the New Manufacturing's Virtual State Awards Ceremony.
Team members: Marcus Allen, Jack Benson, Kirsten Beverly-Twigg, Diego Carrero, Alexia Cannon, Duncan Cave, Ohana Coleman, Prophet Guillaume, Michael Hankins, Nichias Holston, Jack Jordan, Carlos Garcia Lugo, Keaton Gearity, Christopher Neal, Sean O’Riley, Aaron Rodriguez, Hayden Ruhland, Ryan Santacruz, Nathanial Willard, Daniel Williams, and Preston Williams
Education leader: Jessie Butcher
P&G support team: Bahati Bramou, Edison Odeghe, Patrick Winkelman, and Bryan Williams
“Today’s high school students will be tomorrow’s manufacturing workforce in West Virginia," said Executive Director Monica Cross, who oversees the Explore the New Manufacturing Program’s efforts to create student awareness and excitement about careers in manufacturing and the training opportunities for these positions in their local areas. “We are excited to have James Rumsey Technical Institute and Procter & Gamble team up for this year’s challenge. The real-world experience provides insight into a modern manufacturing environment that uses skills in technology, problem-solving, creativity, and communication that they have been developing in school.”
Explore's Manufacturing Innovation Challenge is designed to allow high school student teams to solve real-world manufacturing problems faced by West Virginia manufacturers. Each challenge is unique and can come from various aspects of the company's operations. Students learn how problem-solving skills are a critical element to job performance. The challenge concludes with a formal team presentation, after which students and manufacturers discuss the solution's feasibility. The experience illustrates how teamwork, adaptability, and communication skills are used to implement the industry's solutions.
