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Case Studies

Best practices that can be adapted and implemented, and the key steps leading manufacturers are taking to create inclusive workplaces and the communities they operate in.

Case Study: Child Care Benefits – Abbott

Overview Abbott’s purpose is to help people live more fully through its breakthrough products. Achieving this purpose starts with Abbott’s people, which is why the company is committed to investing in its colleagues, helping them live their best lives personally…

Case Study: Working with Diverse Populations – AAON

Overview AAON’s success is in part due to its innovative and customized HVAC systems. However, its success can also be attributed to its ability to customize and implement diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) practices. Through both internal programming and external…

Case Study: Recruitment Strategies – Chart Industries

Overview At Chart Industries, a company culture of diversity and inclusion means that the company is one where every employee knows that their culture and identities will be respected and valued, and that they will be encouraged and supported to…

Case Study: Internships and Apprenticeships – HM Manufacturing

Overview HM Manufacturing saw an opportunity to break away from some long-standing traditions and cultural norms that were preventing the company from adapting to a changing industry. That meant increasing the number of women, people of color, and young adults…

Case Study: Supplier Diversity – Toyota Motor North America

Overview At Toyota Motor North America, there is an emphasis on supporting under served communities; and company leadership has sought to develop both short-term and long-term strategies for addressing the uneven outcomes and structural disparities facing many Americans. Among a…

Case Study: Confidential Hotline – Intel

Overview Diversity is key to Intel’s® evolution and is a driving force for continued innovation and growth. Workers, particularly women and minorities, were leaving Intel. In response, Intel launched WarmLine, a confidential employee hot line where employees are paired with…

Case Study: Second Chance Hiring – Talan Products

Overview Talan Products, Inc. is committed to creating opportunities for returning citizens to gain access to well-paying manufacturing jobs complete with benefits and the potential for career advancement. To that end, President and co-owner Pete Accorti has been highly engaged…

Case Study: Social Justice Campaign – Arconic

Overview Arconic has committed to being cognizant and supportive of social issues both internally and externally as they consider their place in the global social justice dialogue. To initiate action, CEO Tim Myers brought together various leaders and departments including…

Case Study: Embedding Equity – Pfizer

Overview The goal of Pfizer’s D&I activities is to be as diverse as the patients and communities Pfizer serves. To work toward this goal, Pfizer analyzed recruitment, external engagement, individual team and site D&I action plans, job descriptions, talent management, inclusive…

Case Study: Employee Resource Groups – Covestro

Overview The goal of Covestro’s D&I activities is to involve everyone at every level of the company to “go above and beyond” in becoming more diverse, equitable, and inclusive. To work toward this goal, Covestro has D&I Ambassadors and employee…

Case Study: Employee Resource Groups – Fender Musical Instruments

Overview During the national conversations about race and injustice in June 2020, Fender’s employees, in partnership with Human Resources, held meetings to discuss current events and how to create diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives to ensure that all employees felt…

Case Study: Jabil Joules

Overview Jabil is a global manufacturing services company, employing 200,000 and posting a net revenue of $22-billion last fiscal year. With more than 100 sites across 26 countries, Jabil has a natural diversity with its processes and people. Jabil Joules…


Webinar Recordings

DE&I thought leaders in manufacturing offer insights on the current state of DE&I in manufacturing, best practices and pitfalls to avoid in creating more inclusive manufacturing workplaces and communities.

D&I Roundtable: Navigating Microaggressions in the Workplace

On August 27, the Manufacturing Institute held a roundtable on Navigating Microaggressions in the Workplace, featuring Dr. Michele Nealon, President of The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. The discussion focused on best practices, resources, and actions that manufacturers can replicate…

D&I Roundtable: Developing a Mental Health & Wellbeing Strategy

On May 3, the Manufacturing Institute held a roundtable on Developing a Mental Health & Wellbeing Strategy, featuring the National Council for Mental Wellbeing and Trident Seafoods Corporation. The discussion focused on comprehensive mental health resources manufacturers can use to…

D&I Roundtable: Connecting Manufacturers to Neurodiverse Talent

On February 22, the Manufacturing Institute held a roundtable on Connecting Manufacturers to Neurodiverse Talent featuring Danny Combs, Founder and CEO of TACT (Teaching the Autism Community Trades) and Co-Founder at Colorado Neurodiversity Chamber of Commerce and Ivan Rosenberg, Founder…

Webinar: Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Benchmarking in Manufacturing

On March 24, the Manufacturing Institute held a webinar on Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Benchmarking in Manufacturing, featuring Dr. Chad Moutray, Director, Center for Research, The Manufacturing Institute and Megan Yeh, Senior Associate, Keybridge Research. Previously, the MI gathered data…

2022 Virtual DE&I Summit

Overview The manufacturing industry is facing a labor shortage—and one of the industry’s biggest opportunities is broadening the talent pipeline and prioritizing actions that recruit and retain a diverse workforce. On December 16, The Manufacturing Institute hosted a Virtual DE&I…

D&I Roundtable: Amplifying & Supporting Women of Color

On August 26, The Manufacturing Institute held a roundtable on Amplifying & Supporting Women of Color, featuring Dow Inc., Merck & Co., Inc., Porex Filtration Group, and UPSIDE Foods. The discussion focused on best practices that can be adapted and…

D&I Roundtable: Connecting Manufacturers to Refugee Talent

On August 19, The Manufacturing Institute held a roundtable on Connecting Manufacturers to Refugee Talent, featuring Tent and Pfizer. The discussion focused on why manufacturers should look to refugees as a new source of talent – that can help fill…

D&I Roundtable: Recruiting and Retaining LGBT+ Employees

On June 17, The Manufacturing Institute held a roundtable on Recruiting and Retaining LGBT+ Employees, featuring Entegris, Southern Company and The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company. The discussion focused on how manufacturers are recruiting and retaining LGBT+ employees in their…

2021 Virtual D&I Summit

Manufacturing’s future depends on attracting diverse talent and inclusive cultures. Overview The manufacturing industry is facing a labor shortage—and one of the industry’s biggest opportunities is broadening the talent pipeline and prioritizing actions that recruit and retain a diverse workforce.…

D&I Roundtable: Utilizing ERGs as a Business Imperative

On August 27, The Manufacturing Institute held a roundtable on Utilizing ERGs as a Business Imperative, featuring ABB, Johnson Controls, Land O’ Lakes and Siemens. The discussion focused on how manufacturers are structuring ERGs and how companies can leverage ERGs…

D&I Roundtable: Recruiting Talent with Return-to-Work Programs

On August 13, The Manufacturing Institute held a Recruiting Talent with Return-to-Work Programs, featuring General Motors, Merck, and Trane Technologies. The discussion focused on returnships and programming best practices that can be adapted and implemented at your facilities and resources…

D&I Roundtable: Recruiting & Retaining LGBT+ Employees

On June 25, The Manufacturing Institute held a Recruiting and Retaining LGBT+ Talent, featuring ABB and America Competes. The discussion focused on best practices that can be adapted and implemented at your facilities, resources available to learn more about the…

D&I Roundtable: Recruiting & Retaining Veteran Employees

On May 14, The Manufacturing Institute held a Roundtable on Recruiting and Retaining Veteran Employees, featuring Dow Chemical and Smithfield Foods. The session also heard from two veterans, Meg Zehringer, National Gypsum and Nicole Reyna, Smithfield Foods, who described their…

Webinar: Creating Pathways for Tomorrow’s Workforce Today

On May 6, The Manufacturing Institute and Deloitte held a webinar on Creating Pathways for Tomorrow’s Workforce Today. The discussion featured an economic overview, an overview of workforce data in the manufacturing industry and a panel discussion on trends and…

D&I Roundtable: Neuro Different

On April 30, The Manufacturing Institute held a Roundtable on Recruiting and Retaining Employees with Neuro Differences, featuring Spectrum Designs and Stanley Black & Decker, as well as experts from Autism Speaks and Special Olympics. The discussion focuses on the…

D&I Roundtable: Workplace Flexibility

On March 19, The Manufacturing Institute held a Roundtable on Workplace Flexibility, featuring Microsoft and Trane Technologies. The discussion focuses on the growing business imperative for workplace flexibility and programs, tactics and best practices for offering flexibility in the workplace.…

D&I Roundtable: Peer to Peer Discussion on Equity

On February 12, The Manufacturing Institute partnered with Deloitte to discuss, share best practices, and brainstorm ways to increase equity in the workplace. The panel discussion featured Patricia Rossman, Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer at BASF.

D&I Roundtable: Intersectionality

On February 19, The Manufacturing Institute held a Roundtable on Intersectionality, featuring Intel, nVent, and The Boeing Company. The discussion focuses on defining intersectionality, the role intersectionality plays in the workplace, and best practices to be inclusive of an individuals’…

D&I Roundtable: Engaging Production Employees

On January 22, The Manufacturing Institute held a Roundtable on How to Engage Production Employees, featuring Cornerstone Building Brands, Johnson & Johnson and Pfizer. The discussion focuses on best practices to engage and include production employees, including the strategy and…

2020 Virtual D&I Summit

Overview The Manufacturing Institute is committed to supporting manufacturers’ efforts to build diverse and inclusive workplaces and strengthen equal opportunity in the United States. Diversity and inclusion make our workplaces stronger, and they also advance our country’s highest ideals.   On…

D&I Roundtable: Strategies Changing the Perception for Diverse Youth

On November 20, The Manufacturing Institute held a Roundtable on Strategies Changing the Perception for Diverse Youth, featuring The Boeing Company, ConocoPhillips, and the Smithsonian Institution. The discussion focuses on best practices to engage diverse youth, including community outreach and…

D&I Roundtable: Ally – What It Means and How to Be One

On September 18,  the Manufacturing Institute held a Roundtable on Allies – What It Means and How to Be One, featuring DOW Inc. and Intel Corporation. The discussion focuses on the roles of allies in ERGs, and how allies should…

D&I Roundtable: Launching Your Initiative

On August 21,  the Manufacturing Institute held a Roundtable on Launching Your Diversity and Inclusion Program, featuring Covestro and Fender Musical Instruments Corporation.  The discussion focuses on how manufacturers started their programs, tactical activities, and measuring their success and impact. Fill out…

D&I Roundtable: Supplier Diversity

On August 7, the Manufacturing Institute held a Roundtable on Developing and Implementing Supplier Diversity Program, featuring Johnson & Johnson, TOYOTA and Trane Technologies. The discussion focuses on how manufacturers are utilizing supplier diversity programs and measuring their success and…

D&I Roundtable: Employee Resource Groups

On July 24, the Manufacturing Institute held a Roundtable on How to Create and Utilize an Employee Resource Group, featuring Bridgestone Americas, Inc., Fresenius Medical Care North America, and Jabil. The discussion focuses on how manufacturers can structure their ERGs,…

D&I Roundtable: Racial Inequity

On June 26, the Manufacturing Institute held a Roundtable on Racial Inequity in Manufacturing Companies and Communities, featuring Eli Lilly and Company and McCormick & Company.  The discussion focuses on how manufacturers can promote racial equity in their companies and stem…

D&I Roundtable: Courageous Conversations

On July 10, the Manufacturing Institute held a roundtable on engaging in and leading “courageous conversation,” featuring bp America, Pfizer Inc. and Pioneer Service Inc. The discussion focuses on how to engage in and lead conversations that are uncomfortable, difficult…

Chief Diversity Officer Roundtable

The Manufacturing Institute and the National Association of Manufacturers hosted a Virtual Chief Diversity Officer Roundtable on June 12 at 12 p.m. EDT. During this panel discussion, you’ll hear from some of the leaders shaping diversity and inclusion within our…


Other Resources

Diversity & Inclusion Glossary

The Manufacturing Institute in partnership with our D&I Advisory Committee, compiled a list of commonly accepted D&I terms, intentionally omitting words that are offensive or biased.

Resources for Understanding Racism and Bias

The Manufacturing Institute, in partnership with our D&I Advisory Committee, collected external resources, including podcasts, interviews, books, articles and resources on engaging with children on the topics of racism and bias.