Community Businesses Step Up in Support of Tiger Manufacturing
A group of 18 area businesses are lending support to a student-run manufacturing enterprise right here in Newberg.
The business community has stepped up to lend support to Tiger Manufacturing, part of Newberg Public Schools’ CTE program. Tiger Manufacturing’s machine shop is located off-campus in a building near Springbrook and Crestview. The space was donated by Austin Industries.
According to the program’s website, “students machine real parts, for real customers, for real paychecks. We educate students while efficiently and effectively manufacturing high quality machined components. We teach our students how to use various CNC machines, measuring tools, and how to work in a professional business environment. The goal it to inspire as many individuals as we can through our ongoing work at Tiger Manufacturing.”
Newberg’s CTE students are benefiting from the involvement of these local businesses, and for good reason. By participating in Tiger Manufacturing, students learn valuable career skills. These include technical machining skills, management skills, business experience, real-life application of mathematics, and other important life skills.
Alvin Elbert, president of A.R.E. Manufacturing, spends a lot of time working with students as part of the Tiger Manufacturing program. He said he believes in the program, and has found future employees through this partnership with the schools.
“I’ve hired six guys who came through this program,” Elbert said proudly.
Madison Lenz is a student in the program, and works with another local mentor to handle the business and accounting tasks. And they watch every penny coming in and out of this enterprise. Last year, Tiger Manufacturing realized a profit of more than $68,000. So far this year, they have made $38,000 in profit through early April.
“I feel like I am getting great training and skills that I can take with me after high school,” said Lenz.
The businesses that currently support Tiger Manufacturing, according to its marketing materials, are:
A-dec
A.R.E. Manufacturing
Beaverstate Dental Systems
First Federal Bank
DCI
Rotary Club of Newberg Early Birds
Newberg Noon Rotary
Austin Industries
Austin Family Foundation
GK Machine
Asentec
Ford Family Foundation
ProShop ERP
Autodesk Fusion
R-Tec Machine Sales & Service
DTE Oregon
Kratos Fly Fitness
Oregon Bankers Association
Industry mentors who assist with various aspects of the program are:
Alvin Elbert
Jared Comfort
Paul Parlette
Joel Opheim
Alan Mueller
Troy Elbert (Proshop)
Jeremy Moody (Quickbooks)
“Tiger Manufacturing takes a different and refreshing approach to education, and we want to provide this opportunity to as many students as possible,” the program website says. “The return on investment for the students, and the community at large, has already proven to be more than anticipated. We are building the next generation of our community's workforce and take pride in the products and futures we are creating.”
Click here to learn more about the Tiger Manufacturing program.