This morning, "John," an anonymous employee of a yet-named company, enters his work area and begins his daily morning ritual of checking his e-mails, looking through the latest in trade journals that came in the mail to see if he can learn something from an expert, touches base with a customer to discuss a project, then gets to work for the bulk of his day routinely interfacing with customers, fellow employees, and vendors who may arrive to offer support and help.

At this point, I ask you to stop and think, what career does John have? Is he an entrepreneur who is tending to his business? Does he maybe work in an office in the business field of sales in, say, the insurance industry?

Maybe he's a scientist in a chemistry laboratory or a doctor looking to invent the next great medical device that will someday save someone's life while tending to an office full of people needing his aid.

Actually, John works for a precision manufacturer named Oberg Industries, and John is actually Neil. That's right, I'm a proud manufacturer.

I'm someone who gets to work with the latest technology designing, manufacturing and assembling products that you not only may use everyday, but are in products that service the entire globe. And I'm not alone in this endeavor because I'm surrounded by almost 500 fellow Oberg employees in Butler County — men and woman with a passion for manufacturing. But that passion isn't only at Oberg Industries.

Across the county, a company called Penna Flame in Zelienople heat-treats and manufactures large steel rolls used in cranes and steel mill rolls.

Butler Technologies produces plastic inserts that let us know everything from how fast our cars travel and whether our turn signals are still in use to choosing the right water temperature on the touch sensitive pad on our washing machine.

Need a hand tool with some better leverage? Try a new hammer from Penn United Technologies near Sarver.

So you go to a retail outlet looking for the latest edition of computer software or a toy based upon a recent hit movie and a display greets you as you enter the store. That display is designed and built by IDL Industries in East Butler.

Unfortunately, the health of a loved one is threatened and the only way to find the problem is by using a device made by MEDRAD Corp.'s latest facility in the Victory Road Business Park in Clinton Township.

And how about ton after ton of rolled steel that comes from the facility known as AK Steel along that long stretch of Route 8?

Manufacturing, you see, is alive, well and growing.

One group sees the need to bring together manufacturers of all sizes, in various industries, and with products going all over the world to help train the future employees of manufacturing firms, raise awareness of the high-tech needs of these companies, and to promote the resources in knowledge and education. That group is the Butler County Manufacturing Consortium.

Each month this group of manufacturers, educators, and government officials sits down to discuss how we all can work together to ensure the success of manufacturing in the county.

If you need some space for growth for a new facility, in steps the staff of the Community Development Corporation of Butler County to discuss any and all options.

Need to train employees in some enhancements to their current skills? Then the Tri-County Work Force Investment Board is here to assist in setting up funding via state grant programs.

Say you've already got the money, and need the education. Then the Butler County Vo-Tech is there for introductory skills.

For higher education needs, Butler County Community College can help you earn your associate degree in a wide variety of manufacturing disciplines.

Overall, in the first quarter of 2007, about 13,500 people enjoyed manufacturing jobs.

Are you new to the area and looking for a change in career? The CareerLink of Butler County can possibly help you find retraining funds to get you where you need to be employable at any one of the hundreds, yes hundreds, of manufacturers throughout the county.

A quick look at the history of manufacturing in the county will yield John Roebling's work with wire rope, developed in his factory in Saxonburg in 1841.

That intertwining of various strands into one strong unit that continues to hold the Brooklyn Bridge together to this day is the same strength that Working Together, the motto of the Butler County Manufacturing Consortium, will allow companies to sustain a presence in the county and allow the world to know that if you want something built with precision, quality, and with a passion, then you need to look no further than Butler County.

It is a home where manufacturing is alive, well, and growing.

Neil A. Ashbaugh is market development specialist for Oberg Industries Inc. He is co-chair of the Butler County Manufacturing Consortium.