Mori Seiki University and Education on Demand

As a long-time leader in the manufacture of high tech machining centers and CNC lathes, Mori Seiki has always invested company resources in training facilities and programs. In 2007, dgs helped take a successful internal program to a new level with the launch of an initiative called Mori Seiki University. This industry-first initiative features a broad curriculum of both online and classroom-based education and training for manufacturing and sales personnel alike, with topics ranging from lean manufacturing to application of advanced machining technology. Our role in this launch was to create awareness of the program and promote enrollment. dgs developed and executed an integrated marketing effort including overall messaging for Mori Seiki University and the importance of workforce development, developing the name and logo for Education on Demand (an innovative and immersive e-learning component of the program), creation of both the Mori Seiki University and Education on Demand Web sites, signage for the Mori Seiki University facility, public relations, including coordination of the grand opening event, print advertising, direct mail, and collateral materials. The campaign has been overwhelmingly successful. Since the school’s launch in May 2007, Mori Seiki University provided over 10,000 hours of classroom and online training, and has grown to offer a curriculum of 81 classes with a total of 983 classroom content hours. In addition, through the work of dgs’ PR team, Mori Seiki’s focus on workforce development has resulted in 47 editorial placements between June 2007 and May 2008, 40% of which were feature articles in publications ranging from Modern Machine Shop to The Chicago Tribune.