Summer Manufacturing Tours

GCAMP (the Greater Chicago Advanced Manufacturing Partnership) is excited to host transformational summer tours for students (ages 12+) interested in STEM careers within manufacturing and industry.

• Explore the educational pathways that align with high wage industry careers.
• Go "behind the scenes" to see how some of the products we use every day are made.
• Interact directly with engineers, plant operators, and other industry professionals.

Register for one or more manufacturing tours using the links below. Limited spots are available. Parents, teachers, and counselors are also invited to attend, but each participant must register.

Don't miss out on this unique opportunity to explore your future career path!

Tuesday, June 18 9:00am-11:00 AM Elk Grove Village

Founded in 1948 on Chicago’s West Side, Weiss-Aug Group / The Diemasters has been making high precision parts and assemblies for almost 80 years. Today, they are located in Elk Grove Village, Illinois, and they serve customers throughout the U.S., producing more than 250,000 stamped parts, assemblies, and fabrications every day. Engineers at Diemasters use AutoCad, Solidworks, and other well-known software systems to design, prototype, and test tooling for new products. The Diemasters' production processes include progressive precision metal stamping, Mig and Tig welding, both automated and assembly using robots.

Students on a The Diemasters tour will get to see the high-tech press lines, with up to a 350 Ton capacity, produce parts and assemblies used in the automotive, aerospace, hardware, and medical industries. Plus, Diemasters is eager to hire young people interested in manufacturing careers. Students on a The Diemasters tour should be sure to ask about their apprenticeship program that offers tuition reimbursement for an Associates Degree.

Tuesday, July 16 9:00am-11:00 AM Warrenville

Tox-Pressotechnik began in 1978 in Germany. Today, they are represented across in the globe in 40 different countries, including China, India, Brazil, and, of course, here in the United States. Tox creates the high-tech machinery used to join metal. Their custom machines are used in the automotive, aerospace, medical, solar, and battery industries, by well-known companies such as BMW, Bosch, and Audi. Engineers, machinists, welders, technicians and more all work together to ensure that Tox machinery leads the market in innovation, productivity, quality, safety, low operating costs, and low environmental impact.

Students on a Tox tour will see the hands-on work that goes into building a Tox machine. Plus, like at Diemasters, Tox is happy to provide work-based learning opportunities to students. Over the years, Tox has employed many student interns, apprentices, and other young people looking to launch their manufacturing careers.

Thursday, July 18 9:00am-11:00 AM 701 N Kirk Rd, Batavia

Suncast is the leading US-based designer, manufacturer, and distributor of high-quality resin products for the home and industrial markets. A privately held company headquartered in the Chicago western suburbs, Suncast prides itself on 35 years of innovation and sustainability across a wide range of product categories with materials proudly sourced in the USA. Suncast supports a wide variety of local organizations and initiatives that are meaningful to its employees and make a positive impact on the local community.

Students will tour our facilities and learn how Suncast utilizes state-of-the-art machinery and innovative manufacturing techniques to consistently engineer products of the highest quality. We continue to invest in solar-powered technology to run operations and supports sustainability initiatives in our communities. Suncast offers an apprenticeship program that not only prepares students for a career here at Suncast, but through this program, partnering with local community colleges, they will earn their Associate Degree, at no cost to them.