Big Daishowa Supports the Future of Manufacturing Through Tools for Schools Program!
Now in its fourth year, Big Daishowa’s Tools for Schools program continues to make a meaningful investment in manufacturing education and workforce development. This year, the initiative awarded tooling certificates totaling $51,000 to technical schools selected by Big Daishowa customers. With this latest round of support, the program’s cumulative contribution has reached nearly $120,000 in donated tooling certificates, reinforcing the company’s long-term commitment to strengthening the talent pipeline in advanced manufacturing.
The Tools for Schools program was designed to directly connect industry partners with local educational institutions. From November 2025 through January 2026, customers were invited to nominate a school of their choice to receive a tooling certificate valued at 20% of their qualifying purchases. This structure not only provides tangible support to schools but also empowers customers to invest in the communities where they operate and recruit future employees.
The awarded certificates can be redeemed for any Big Daishowa product, including tool holders, boring tools, cutting tools, workholding systems and presetters. Access to professional-grade tooling ensures that students gain hands-on experience using the same equipment found in modern production environments. This exposure is critical in preparing graduates for careers in machining, advanced manufacturing and engineering, where precision and familiarity with industry-standard tools are essential.
One of this year’s beneficiaries, Southwest Technical College in Cedar City, Utah, highlighted the immediate impact of the contribution. Carl Johnson, director of manufacturing at the college, expressed appreciation for the investment in technical education and emphasized how the donation expands student access to high-quality tooling. He noted that training with professional-grade equipment enhances hands-on learning, strengthens technical competency and better prepares students for real-world manufacturing challenges.
Big Daishowa launched the Tools for Schools initiative to provide customers with a structured and meaningful way to support manufacturing education programs. By involving customers in the nomination process, the company fosters collaboration between suppliers, manufacturers and educational institutions. This partnership-driven approach strengthens community ties while helping address one of the industry’s most pressing concerns — the need for a skilled and job-ready workforce.
According to Jack Burley, president and COO of Big Daishowa, customers often have strong connections within their local communities, and those relationships play a vital role in developing the next generation of manufacturing professionals. The Tools for Schools program allows the company to support both its customers and the students who may eventually join their workforce.
As manufacturing technologies continue to advance, ensuring that educational institutions have access to modern tooling and training resources is increasingly important. Through sustained investment and customer collaboration, Big Daishowa’s Tools for Schools program is helping bridge the gap between classroom learning and industry requirements, supporting a stronger and more capable future workforce.
