Success Story: Fabricated Extrusion Company Advances Workforce Development Through Leadership and Upskilling Initiatives
Company Profile:
Fabricated Extrusion Company of Maryland, based in Hagerstown, is a custom manufacturer of high-performance thermoplastic extrusions serving customers across a wide range of industries. The company is known for its commitment to product quality, customer responsiveness, and continuous process improvement. As part of a larger national manufacturing group, Fabricated Extrusion operates with a strong emphasis on workforce development, innovation, and operational efficiency.
The Situation:
With growth in both production demand and operational complexity, Fabricated Extrusion recognized the need to strengthen its workforce by investing in both leadership development and technical upskilling. The company faced a dual challenge: preparing frontline team members for supervisory roles and ensuring the long-term development of technical talent for critical roles like Tool & Die Makers. Rather than hiring externally, the company sought to promote from within, build leadership capacity, and create advancement opportunities that would increase retention and overall workforce performance.
The Solution:
To support these goals, Fabricated Extrusion partnered with Maryland MEP to implement a targeted workforce development initiative focused on leadership training and apprenticeship-related instruction.
The company enrolled select team members in Maryland MEP’s Future Leader and Exceptional Leader Programs. These structured, cohort-based trainings helped employees at different career stages build the confidence, communication skills, and managerial capabilities needed to lead teams effectively. Through assessments, peer learning, and real-world application, participants gained the tools to manage performance, influence others, and align daily operations with broader business goals.
Simultaneously, the company supported one employee in the Tool & Die Maker Apprenticeship with virtual instruction in Tooling University (ToolingU). This flexible, self-paced technical training reinforced foundational knowledge in precision tooling, helping the apprentice build critical skills and preparing them for greater responsibilities within the shop floor environment.
“Investing in both our emerging leaders and skilled trades employees has been a game changer. The leadership programs helped our team step up with more confidence and accountability, while the technical training ensured we’re building the talent we need for the future. Maryland MEP made it easy to align training with our workforce goals and keep our momentum strong.”
— Sarah Greenville, Fabricated Extrusion Company
The Results:
As a result of this combined workforce development initiative, Fabricated Extrusion reported the following estimated outcomes:
- $420,000 in retained sales, supported by stronger team leadership and technical proficiency to improve tooling issues in house.
- 3 new customers, due to stronger in-house tooling and production capabilities.
- $15,000 in cost savings, resulting from reduced quality rejections/rework and improved training across shifts.
- $8,000 in workforce training investment in 2025, with positive returns in leadership performance and technical capability.
This intentional investment in leadership and employee upskilling has strengthened Fabricated Extrusion’s operational performance and helped build a more resilient, future-ready workforce—positioning the company for sustained success in Maryland’s competitive manufacturing sector.
