At Wilson Tool, workers make machine tools and dies for the metal stamping and punch press machines used by such big names as Toro, Polaris, Pentair and John Deere.
The family-run company in Hugo is also building something else -- a bigger workforce.
Executives at Wilson Tool plan to hire 50 new machinists, engineers and interns this year, and they are doing more than hanging a "Help Wanted" sign to do it.
The company is offering internships and scholarships to entice students and young workers to consider manufacturing as a career. It even provides employees an onsite health clinic where dozens of prescriptions are free.
"There are lots of jobs available," said Jeff Paulson, Wilson Tool's marketing manager.
Wilson Tool's efforts illustrate the apparent momentum in hiring nationwide. The household survey from the nation's job report on Friday showed 873,000 more Americans working in September than August. The unemployment rate also fell to 7.8 percent, lowest in almost four years.
To spotlight its need for more workers, Wilson Tool held its first "Manufacturing Day" celebration Friday, encouraging officials on Capitol Hill, in cities and colleges to spread the word that U.S. manufacturing offers good-paying, high-tech jobs.
"Today's manufacturing certainly doesn't fit the stereotype of manufacturing from 50 years ago," Paulson told 160 employees, politicians, students and townspeople gathered for the event at the company's headquarters. "It's not the dirt floor, or the guy in the back hammering on an anvil. It's pretty high-tech stuff."