Nordson EFD, a division of Nordson Corporation has announced its active participation in Manufacturing Day 2025: Rhode Island’s Future in the Making, scheduled for Wednesday, October 8, 2025. This annual event, hosted by the Polaris Manufacturing Extension Program (MEP), brings together high school students in grades 10 through 12 with local manufacturers and advanced technology providers to explore the possibilities of careers in modern manufacturing.
Now in its 14th year, Manufacturing Day (#MFGDay25) continues to serve as a national movement established by the Fabricators and Manufacturers Association (FMA) in collaboration with the National Institute of Standards and Technology’s MEP program. Its mission is to illuminate the significance of manufacturing within the American economy and inspire the next generation to consider manufacturing as a dynamic, high-tech career path. In 2024, Rhode Island’s edition of the event successfully engaged more than 350 students, offering them exposure to real-world manufacturing roles and innovations.
Addressing the Manufacturing Talent Shortage
The Manufacturing Institute recently released a report highlighting a looming labor shortage in the U.S. manufacturing sector, projecting a shortfall of up to two million unfilled jobs by 2033. Currently, the industry faces a 350,000-position gap, primarily due to accelerated retirements and the rapid expansion of advanced manufacturing capabilities. Programs such as those offered by Polaris MEP play an essential role in bridging this divide, helping students understand how STEM education translates into tangible, rewarding career opportunities in manufacturing.
By offering immersive, hands-on experiences, these events allow students to interact directly with automation tools, robotic systems, and digital production technologies that define the future of industrial work. Nordson EFD, among several Rhode Island-based manufacturers, will host interactive exhibits and demonstration stations that showcase its innovative fluid dispensing systems and automation solutions. Throughout the day, fleets of school buses will bring students from across the state to participate in guided tours, workshops, and interactive sessions. Importantly, sponsorships from companies like Nordson EFD ensure that participation in Manufacturing Day remains completely free for local schools.
Nordson EFD’s Commitment to Rhode Island’s Manufacturing Future
“Nordson EFD is proud to sponsor and participate in Manufacturing Day Rhode Island this year,” said Scott Menko, Director of Operations at Nordson EFD. “Manufacturing is vital to Rhode Island’s economy and an engine for high-tech, well-paying job creation. We actively support the professional growth of our highly skilled workforce, which empowers our company to innovate, automate, and integrate the newest technologies. This event allows us to connect with the next generation of makers, builders, and problem-solvers who will shape the future of manufacturing. We are excited and honored to be part of it.”
Nordson EFD’s East Providence facility plays a critical role in the company’s global operations. It manufactures precision fluid dispensing systems used by a broad array of industries, from medical device production to electronics assembly. These systems are integral in ensuring accuracy, consistency, and reliability in manufacturing processes where precision is paramount. By combining advanced dispensing technology with in-depth fluid process expertise, Nordson EFD supports both Fortune 500 companies and emerging start-ups in achieving manufacturing excellence.
A Tradition of Precision and Innovation
For over six decades, Nordson EFD has built its reputation as a leader in designing and manufacturing high-performance dispensing systems for both benchtop and automated assembly processes. The company’s products allow manufacturers to apply assembly fluids—such as adhesives, lubricants, and sealants—with unmatched precision, improving production throughput and quality control.
Beyond dispensing systems, Nordson EFD also produces fluid packaging solutions, including syringes and cartridges, and develops specialty solder pastes for high-accuracy dispensing and printing applications. These innovations align closely with the global transition toward Industry 4.0, where connectivity, automation, and data-driven process optimization define the competitive edge in manufacturing.
The company’s Industry 4.0-enabled micro-dispensing technologies enhance process monitoring and control, offering manufacturers new levels of insight and efficiency. With offices, laboratories, and technical support teams across 30 countries, Nordson EFD ensures that its customers have direct access to expertise, service, and training tailored to their specific production needs.
Nordson Corporation: Engineering Excellence Since 1954
Nordson Corporation, headquartered in Westlake, Ohio, is a global engineering and manufacturing company renowned for its differentiated products and systems used in the dispensing and processing of adhesives, coatings, polymers, sealants, and biomaterials. The company’s expertise also extends to fluid management, surface treatment, curing technologies, and quality testing and inspection systems.
Nordson’s broad portfolio supports a wide spectrum of industries—including packaging, nonwovens, electronics, medical technology, energy, transportation, construction, and general manufacturing. Its deep technical knowledge, combined with a global network of service professionals, enables the company to deliver efficient and reliable solutions to customers worldwide. Founded in 1954, Nordson now operates in more than 30 countries and continues to expand its impact through innovation and customer collaboration.
Inspiring the Next Generation of Manufacturers
Through initiatives such as Manufacturing Day 2025, Nordson EFD underscores its commitment not only to technological advancement but also to workforce development. By engaging directly with students, the company helps demystify modern manufacturing—demonstrating that today’s factory floors are powered by robotics, automation, and data analytics, not just manual labor. These outreach efforts are instrumental in reshaping public perceptions of the manufacturing sector and attracting a new wave of talent to fuel its ongoing transformation.
As Rhode Island continues to cultivate its manufacturing ecosystem, events like Manufacturing Day serve as a crucial link between education and industry. Nordson EFD’s involvement exemplifies how established leaders in the field can inspire future innovators, ensuring that the region—and the nation—remains a global hub for advanced manufacturing excellence.
