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So Many Things to Talk About!

To serve as a leader in the manufacturing sector, it is critical that Alexandria Industries share news that is important to our customers and industry partners. The articles below – featured in national, regional, local, business and trade media – offer expert, third-party insight into industry trends and issues.

Learn how we help:

  • Manufacturers and design engineers discover new ways to create innovative product development solutions
  • Educate customers about industry issues
  • Develop our future leaders
  • Change the beliefs people may have about working in manufacturing to help fill the skills gap

Happy reading!

Factory Conditions Contract in August

Star Tribune© | September 1, 2016

Manufacturing conditions across Minnesota and the rest of the country contracted in August amid stubbornly weak oil and agriculture sectors, according to two closely watched economic reports released Thursday.


Six Simple Strategies Suppliers Can Use To Do More For Their Customers

Manufacturing Business Technology© | July 28, 2016

Suppliers specializing in one type of service used to be able to compete with other providers by excelling at that service and delivering top-quality products. That isn’t the case anymore. In today’s dynamic economy, OEMs are focusing on supplier consolidation initiatives in an effort to reduce administrative, quality audit and product audit costs that come standard when working with multiple suppliers. The metrics they use to evaluate their partners are...


Changing the Way Students, Parents Think About Manufacturing

Echo Press | July 8, 2016

From 2016 to 2025, there will be 2 million manufacturing job openings nationwide. Today, students and their parents hear repeatedly that attending a four-year college is in the best interest of the children, regardless of which career path they are considering. What many may not realize is that a four-year degree is not the only option for a successful career. Sadly, today, many four-year graduates are underemployed...


Alexandria Manufacturer Puts Employee Health Care In Its Own Hands

Twin Cities Business© | May 4, 2016

In their ongoing struggle to find and keep employees, rural Minnesota manufacturers are assembling new kinds of perks. One such company is taking a creative approach to its benefits package: It’s opening its own clinic. This summer, Alexandria Industries, located in the central Minnesota city of the same name, will open its Family Health & Wellness Clinic for employees and their families. It’s not only a distinctive benefit—the company also hopes to lower the burden of its healthcare costs.


Rural Minnesota Factories Spend Big on Perks, Even Buy Companies to Find Workers

Star Tribune | April 24, 2016

Spiraling retirements and shrinking unemployment in rural Minnesota are driving worried factory owners to get creative so that current workers stay and future workers come. After years of chronic worker shortages, plants statewide are taking aggressive action.


U.S. Extrusions: Market Overview

Aluminum International Today© | March 7, 2016

While U.S. Aluminum extrusion demand continues to step up, demand growth is expected to moderate somewhat this year at the same time as certain supply issues and concerns about future economic growth keep the market very competitive.


Creating Hands-on Solutions to the Skills Gap: Q&A With Alexandria Industries' Al Sholts

Manufacturing.net© | January 20, 2016

The skills gap has been a growing problem with manufacturers for years, at one point even inspiring legislation to encourage on-the-job training and ongoing analysis of the issue... During an interview, Al Sholts, chief operating officer for the Minnesota-based company, Alexandria Industries, explains how manufacturers can take the initiative to train employees and work with schools to close the gap.


Don't Be a Risky Bet in a Manufacturing Crunch

Solar Industry© | January 1, 2016

Suppliers are already seeing significantly strained capacities generated by ever-increasing product demand.
As 2016 develops, the solar market could see unprecedented sales volumes for photovoltaic system suppliers. There are even indicators that great demand will continue into 2017 and beyond based on cost-reduction trends. With all of the action in the market, mounting and racking suppliers may face an extremely high demand for aluminum extrusion or steel components.


Rock-and-Roll Manufacturers?

Enterprise Minnesota Magazine© | December 1, 2015

Alexandria Industries reaches out to future employees with the Not So Heavy Metal Tour
More than 130 prospective employees (and, importantly, their parents and grandparents) toured Alexandria Industries earlier this month as part of their annual Not So Heavy Metal Tour, the company's annual attempt to interest young people in manufacturing.


What's Alexandria's 'Secret Sauce' for Closing the Skills Gap?

Echo Press© | October 21, 2015

People working together for the common good – not laws – can play the biggest role in closing the gap of getting skilled workers to fill high-tech manufacturing jobs. That was one of the lessons the Center for the American Experiment learned from a public meeting in Alexandria last Wednesday. The center, a Minneapolis-based think tank, selected Alexandria to lead off a dozen informal town meetings because of its track record of success.