Reader Precision Sponsors IMTS Experience for Local Students and Educators Through Operation Exploration

ELKHORN, Wis., Sept. 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Reader Precision Solutions (Reader Precision), a Wisconsin-based precision machining contract manufacturer, sponsored high school students and educators from local schools to the International Manufacturing Technology Show (IMTS) in Chicago, continuing an outreach effort that began in 2014.

This year's Operation Exploration trip to IMTS included 137 students and 16 educators from Elkhorn Area High School, Career & College Academy and Delavan-Darien High School. For most students, the trip marked their first experience at IMTS, giving them an opportunity to experience the manufacturing industry on a scale that extends far beyond the classroom.

"Students don't always know what modern manufacturing looks like until they get a chance to see it for themselves," said Barry Butters, Director of Education & Outreach at Reader Precision Solutions. "We regularly host student groups at Reader Precision, but IMTS gives them the opportunity to see the industry on a much larger scale and experience just how broad manufacturing has become."

Throughout the day, students explored more than 1.2 million square feet of exhibit space across McCormick Place. Spanning technology sectors including automation, gear generation, additive manufacturing and metal removal, IMTS introduced students to machinery and technologies used across the manufacturing industry.

"We can do a great job exposing students to advanced manufacturing within our own classrooms, but an experience like the trip to IMTS takes that learning to another level," said Dustin Lehman, Director of Strategic Partnerships at Elkhorn Area School District. Thanks to the support of Reader Precision Solutions, our students were able to see firsthand the innovation, technology, and career opportunities that exist within advanced manufacturing."

Reader Precision's partnerships with participating schools extend beyond the IMTS trip. Nine of the company's current Youth Apprentices attend one of the schools represented this year. Youth Apprenticeship gives students the opportunity to earn while they learn, but that path often starts with exposure.

"The experience sparked student interest in the manufacturing career pathway, with several students expressing a desire to learn more about the industry and participate in future job-shadowing opportunities," said Candice Franks, Career and Technical Education Coordinator at Delavan-Darien School District. As manufacturing is one of the largest industries in Walworth County, opportunities like this help students connect classroom learning to local career opportunities while developing a greater understanding of the skills and technologies shaping the future of the industry."

For Reader Precision, investing in the next generation means creating opportunities at every stage. By working alongside local schools, the company aims to help students explore what manufacturing has to offer and see how those opportunities can grow into a career.

Contacts at Reader Precision

For more information about Reader Precision or for media and press inquiries, please contact Maddy Olson, Marketing Coordinator, at [email protected]

For detailed information on Reader Precision's machining capabilities, contact Strategic Account Executive, Luann Dall, at [email protected]

Interested in exploring careers in advanced manufacturing and precision machining? Contact Amanda Griffoul, V.P. of Human Resources, at [email protected]

About Reader Precision Solutions, Inc.

Reader Precision Solutions is a Southeast Wisconsin-based contract manufacturer, supplying precision machined parts, components and engineered solutions to a diverse set of industries, including military and defense, firearms and tactical, flow control, dental and healthcare, electronics and interconnect, and other precision-driven markets.

The company's award-winning manufacturing, coupled with a team of passionate manufacturing professionals are committed to ongoing investments in technology that results in timely responses, quality products, and on-time delivery.

Through collaborative engagement/early supplier involvement (ESI) with its clients, the company's Application Engineering team can help develop the most cost-effective solutions to deliver ultimate performance and value. With support from its knowledgeable Production team, the professional Client Success team provides timely responses and delivers quality products on time and at a fair price. Reader Precision offers inventory management programs for our clients, whereby our team monitors inventory levels and finished components are shipped as needed.

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SOURCE Reader Precision Solutions, Inc.