Three local companies hosting manufacturing tours

SARASOTA COUNTY — A number Sarasota and Manatee counties middle and high school students are scheduled to visit three of region's largest manufactures, Sun Hydraulics, PGT Industries and Cavanaugh and Co., this October. The Oct. 3 tour is part of National Manufacturing Day in Florida and will draw 3,000 students from 35 counties to tour 95 high-tech manufacturing facilities across Florida.

The Made in Florida industry tours are made possible by FLATE (Florida Advanced Technological Education), the National Science Foundation Center of Excellence at Hillsborough Community College in Brandon, the Manufacturers Association of Florida, Regional Manufacturing Associations, and manufacturers/educators across the state.

The tours are designed to highlight the state's more than 14,000 high-tech manufacturers and inspire children to consider them for future careers.