In celebration of Manufacturing Day, Zippo Manufacturing Co. and W.R. Case & Sons Cutlery Co. will host local students and educators with a series of events, including tours and workshops, today.

The day-long event — which will take place at the Zippo and Case factories from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. — will showcase the skills of numerous employees and demonstrate the latest technological advancements.

Zippo and Case have each invited educators and 50 students representing five McKean County school districts to attend the day’s activities. As part of the itinerary, students will tour the manufacturing facility, learn about product development and testing, and explore the various departments and careers that contribute to manufacturing (sales, human resources, marketing, IT, engineering, accounting, etc.). Both companies have interactive demonstrations planned throughout the day.

“Throughout the U.S., manufacturing is alive and well, and offers strong career opportunities for young people,” said Mark Paup, president and chief executive officer of Zippo and Case. “Manufacturing is the heart and soul of Bradford and McKean County, and we couldn’t be more proud to be an American company that dedicates itself to recruiting highly-skilled talent both domestically and internationally.”

Zippo and Case are officially registered Manufacturing Day event sites.

Manufacturing Day is held annually on the first Friday of October. It aims to address common misperceptions about manufacturing by giving manufacturers an opportunity to open their doors and show, in a coordinated effort, what manufacturing is — and what it isn’t. By working with Manufacturing Day, manufacturers can address the skilled labor shortage they face, connect with future generations, take charge of the public image of manufacturing and ensure the ongoing prosperity of the whole industry.