Manufacturing Day Puts Fayette Students on the Plant Floor

The Manufacturing Institute and Saint-Gobain kicked off Manufacturing Day 2026 on Friday, October 2 by welcoming more than 100 high school students and educators from Fayette County Public Schools to Saint-Gobain’s Peachtree City production facility.

During the event, students toured the plant and saw firsthand how the company makes CertainTeed roofing shingles for homes across the country.

Manufacturing Institute President Carolyn Lee and Saint-Gobain North America and CertainTeed CEO Mark Rayfield also spoke with students about the wide range of career opportunities available in modern manufacturing.

“We’re proud to partner with Saint-Gobain this year to celebrate MFG Day and give students a firsthand look at our industry,” said Lee. “There’s no better way to understand manufacturing than to get up close and see all the parts—and all the people—that come together to make the things that make modern life possible. By inviting students to see this for themselves, they can imagine themselves behind the line, operating our high-tech equipment, in our research labs or guiding our operations.”

The event was part of Manufacturing Day, a nationwide effort held annually on the first Friday in October to help students, parents and educators learn more about careers in manufacturing. Thousands of manufacturers across the country host tours and educational programs throughout the month of October.

For Rayfield, the visit was about reaching the industry’s future workforce.

“Saint-Gobain is committed to ensuring the next generation of the manufacturing workforce is educated about the opportunities in this exciting field,” Rayfield said. “We’re thrilled to sponsor MFG Day 2026 and open our doors to help even more students discover what modern manufacturing really looks like and start them on the path toward a bright future in manufacturing.”

The focus on workforce development comes as manufacturers nationwide continue to face hiring challenges. According to research from Deloitte and the Manufacturing Institute, the industry could need as many as 3.8 million new workers by 2033, with nearly 2 million positions potentially going unfilled if current workforce needs are not met.

For Fayette County students touring the Peachtree City facility, the experience offered a firsthand look at the people, technology, and career opportunities that drive modern manufacturing in their community.