Machining Company Entrusts Mid-South Community College with $2 Million in High-Tech Equipment

WEST MEMPHIS, Ark. -- Methods Machine Tools, Inc., headquartered in Massachusetts, is partnering with Mid-South Community College to give students access to some of the most high-tech equipment in the industry. The precision machine tools supplier has entrusted the college with state-of-the-art equipment valued at $2 million.

“Methods Machines has become a tremendous partner in moving our machining program to a status that will benefit everyone in the region,” said MSCC President Dr. Glen Fenter during an April 1 presentation at the college’s Workforce Technology Center.

“They have evidenced a very strong commitment to what we’re doing, and their investment is certainly a great example of a partnership that is invaluable to a program like ours. We could never afford to purchase this kind of precision equipment for our students.”

David Chesnutt, Methods Machines vice president, said the partnership makes sense for everyone involved.

“When I walked into this facility the first time last May or June, I had been here 30-45 minutes, and I said, ‘Let’s make this happen.’ Without a doubt, Mid-South Community College has the right facility. I don’t care who walks in here, they have to be impressed.”

“On the flip side, you have the market demand 15 miles from here in Memphis, and they need what the college is trying to supply. The only thing missing was a strategic partnership. It was an easy decision for our company. We have the foundation laid, and we look forward to being here a long time.”

Dr. Fenter said the equipment provided by Methods Machines will help the college continue to offer training designed to create and sustain a world-class workforce.

“We have a created an industry-driven model based on investing in the talents and skills of people who will provide the workforce needed to make our regional companies very profitable, and we never lose sight of that goal,” he said.

“The entire model is based on a fairly simple construct – we want to make certain that our educational programming leads to great jobs, and that the people we provide are great employees so companies can make a lot of money, create new jobs, and hire more of our students.”

The partnership benefits Methods Machines by creating a greater demand for its products.

“The key issue for our industry is that, in order for us to sell machines, we have to have people who know how to run them,” Chesnutt explained. “Over the years, we have partnered with different technical schools, colleges, and universities across the country to help train the workforce, and it’s a win-win situation.”

“The students get a great education on high-tech equipment, and industry gets trained people. It’s a big win for our company because the students leaving here know our equipment.”

MSCC students who have completed machining courses have landed jobs with starting wages of $12-$17 per hour. With additional training and experience, machinists can earn between $50,000 and $70, 000 a year.