In an effort to support the community while building a pipeline for talented workers in the manufacturing industry, a German company and its American subsidiary have teamed up with an Illinois college.
In late October, German-based connector manufacturer HARTING and HARTING Americas announced its partnership with North Central College in Naperville, IL. More than 100 students, community members and media gathered in the halls of the college’s newly dedicated Dr. Myron Wentz Science Center as officials praised the endeavor.
“Our first president stated that a college that is not responsive to the changing needs of students cannot long survive,” said North Central President Troy D. Hammond. “We have not only survived, we've thrived. The building we stand in today is truly responsive to those changing needs. It is designed for the 21st century with the latest in technology to be responsive to our students' needs.”
And, as part of meeting those needs, Hammond — along with HARTING chairman of the board Philip Harting and HARTING Americas president and CEO Jon DeSouza — cut the ribbon to the HARTING Electronics Lab. There, students will be introduced to sophisticated electronic methods and applications. HARTING will also donate equipment to the lab so students can work with the latest real-world technology.
“It's really and honor and a privilege to be back here on this occasion,” said North Central Alumni DeSouza. He said HARTING is interested in investing in the community, and not only the German community but also globally. “I'm so glad to be back here and giving back to the college that taught me the beginnings of what it is like to do business and what it is like to program.”
Philip Harting said the company wants to become a global company and was pleased to be in partnership with North Central.
“This is a milestone in the development of HARTING in North America,” he said. “We have many partnerships in Germany, we're starting in China, and this is a very special partnership here for us. We want to get in touch with young engineers, students, as early as possible in their career. Engineers are the basis for all success of the future.”
Hammond told the crowd that North Central College was founded 156 years ago by German immigrants with a “vision of progressive transformative education.”
“HARTING, a global company founded in Germany, and with North American headquarters locally here, is thriving because it is responsive to the changing needs of its customers and we intend to support HARTING's success by generating talented graduates in engineering and the sciences, sales and marketing, finance, and other areas that can ensure HARTING is successful,” he said. “We're proud to partner with HARTING to ensure that we both have a brilliant future.”
