Modern manufacturing isn’t just about machines – it’s about people. At Morton Industries, our purpose is to provide security, opportunity, and quality of life for our employees and partners. We believe that the strength of our products comes from the strength of the people who design, build and support them. Over the decades, we’ve invested deeply in developing a world‑class workforce pipeline that creates meaningful opportunities at every stage of a person’s career.
A Legacy of Opportunity
Morton Industries has been in business since 1946. Our longevity isn’t rooted just in equipment; it stems from a philosophy that values partnership, integrity and continuous improvement. Doing the right thing and investing in people has enabled us to grow into a multi‑location manufacturer serving diverse industries. Our values – Integrity in Action, Focused on Team Success, Driven to Deliver, Consistent Progress, and Professional Authenticity – guide daily decisions on the shop floor and in our offices. These values help us build not only parts, but lasting careers.
Sparking Interest Early
The future of manufacturing doesn’t start on the shop floor; it starts in the classroom. Morton Industries partners with regional schools and nonprofits to inspire young people to consider skilled trades. We co‑chair CareerSpark, a hands‑on career exploration event that introduces about 1,200 middle school students to manufacturing each year. We also sponsor the Discover Manufacturing Career Expo, which gives more than 600 high‑school students direct exposure to modern manufacturing technologies and career pathways. In addition, our team members regularly speak in classrooms and host tours such as Future Focus Fridays to give students real‑world insight into welding, machining, automation and other trades.
Why do we invest so much in early outreach? Because students deserve to see the broad spectrum of careers available in manufacturing – from engineering and quality to project management and logistics. These experiences help them discover alternatives to four‑year degrees and build life skills and confidence. By the time they graduate, they’ve met mentors, seen high‑tech equipment in action, and understand how their talents could fit into our industry.
Apprenticeships: From Classroom to Career
Education alone isn’t enough; students need a bridge from school to the workplace. That’s why Morton Industries helped launch a national SkillsUSA Apprenticeship program and partnered with the Peoria Educational Region for Employment and Career Training (PERFECT) to create a local work‑based learning internship. Through these programs, students gain paid, hands‑on experience using cutting‑edge equipment and solving real production challenges. More than 50 students have completed our apprenticeship program since 2022, learning both technical and soft skills that prepare them for long‑term success. Partnerships with SkillsUSA Illinois, Pekin Community High School and Illinois Central College ensure that participants receive mentorship and can earn industry‑recognized certifications.
These apprenticeships are more than summer jobs – they’re launchpads. Participants gain confidence, develop leadership abilities and often convert to full‑time roles after graduation. This steady pipeline of homegrown talent ensures our teams share the same values of integrity, continuous improvement and professional authenticity.
Second‑Chance Employment: A Fresh Start for All
A truly inclusive workforce welcomes people from every walk of life. Morton Industries partners with Adult and Teen Challenge USA to provide second‑chance employment opportunities for individuals recovering from addiction. Participants gain stable careers, supportive workplaces and advancement opportunities. Our commitment to this program underscores a belief that everyone deserves a chance to rebuild their lives. By blending compassion with high standards, we maintain high retention and prove that second‑chance hiring strengthens both our company and our community.
Investing in Skills: Weld Training & Beyond
To meet the region’s need for skilled tradespeople, we established our Weld Training Center in 2018. This facility trains individuals regardless of prior experience, developing welders who can join our team or advance within the industry. The program has already trained more than 100 welders, helping address a critical shortage in Central Illinois. Beyond welding, we offer training on bending, forming and other advanced manufacturing processes so that employees can move into new roles as technology evolves.
Leadership Development: From Team Members to Leaders
Technical expertise is only part of workforce excellence; leadership matters too. We invest in leadership development through programs like Servant Leadership Training and the MI Leadership Training Series. These courses help employees at every level strengthen communication, collaboration and decision‑making skills. The result? Leaders who understand our values and empower their teams to succeed. Our commitment to leadership development also shows up in the numbers: in just two years, nearly 100 internal promotions demonstrate that we prefer to promote from within and create long‑term career paths.
A Culture Recognized by Our Community
Culture isn’t just a buzzword; it’s why people stay. At the 2025 Journal Star Community’s Choice Awards, Morton Industries was named Best Place to Work and Best Locally Owned Business, recognitions that reflect our people‑first culture. Benefits Manager Brittanny Boyle summed it up when she said, “We’ve worked really hard to build a culture where people feel seen, heard, and supported”. This community recognition echoes our long‑standing purpose of providing security, opportunity and quality of life.
Manufacturing Month celebrations further highlight our workplace. We pride ourselves on bright, clean and safe work environments, clear career paths with training and advancement opportunities, and a team culture rooted in integrity, team success and professional authenticity. We’re not just filling jobs—we’re building futures.
Operational Excellence Through People
Our commitment to workforce excellence isn’t separate from our operational goals—it drives them. For example, our proactive maintenance department keeps equipment running and production on schedule, which ensures that customers receive consistent quality and fast lead times. Preventive maintenance programs and cross‑functional collaboration illustrate how our values translate into reliable performance. Even as we adopt smart manufacturing technologies, we remember that people remain at the center of operational excellence.
The Bottom Line
Morton Industries’ workforce ecosystem spans early education outreach, apprenticeships, second‑chance employment, technical training, leadership development and a culture that prioritizes integrity and teamwork. By investing in people, we not only build high‑quality products but also create pathways to meaningful careers. If you’re exploring opportunities in manufacturing—whether you’re a student, a skilled tradesperson, or someone seeking a fresh start—we invite you to learn more about our programs and discover how Morton Industries is shaping the future of manufacturing.
