Mitchell's manufacturing matriarch, the mama behind MAMA
Jennifer Leither, The Daily Republic, Mitchell, S.D.
5 min read
Dec. 2—MITCHELL — Laurie Cooper once viewed manufacturing through the narrow lens of her husband's 25-year career at Trail King. But now at the helm of the Mitchell Area Manufacturers Association (MAMA), Cooper has discovered how Mitchell companies like Dakota Pump impact cities across the East Coast, and she's excited to share that knowledge with the community.
"I've learned so much by being the group's leader. I myself had no idea all the products that were being built right here in Mitchell," Cooper said.
Cooper says her eyes have been opened to the diverse and far-reaching impact of Mitchell's manufacturing sector since taking over as leader of the group thirteen years ago. Manufacturing is one of the community's top industries and Cooper and MAMA's goal is to create more buzz and awareness about the growing industry. It's Cooper's passion and advocacy for the industry that has earned her the unofficial title of the "mama" of MAMA.
Cooper has been the driving force behind MAMA, inheriting leadership when she was hired by the Mitchell Area Development Corporation. Despite not having a direct background in manufacturing, her passion for the role is evident.
"I'd probably do it even if I wasn't getting paid. It's a great group of people," Cooper said.
MAMA, which was founded almost four decades ago, serves as a peer group for local manufacturers. Meeting monthly, the association provides a space for manufacturers to share insights, discuss challenges, and brainstorm solutions on a range of issues, from hiring practices to the latest innovations in technology.
"It's an opportunity to bring the manufacturers in town all together in one room," Cooper said.
Cooper's journey from viewing manufacturing through the narrow lens of her husband's career at Trail King to leading the Mitchell Area Manufacturers Association (MAMA) mirrors the transformation of Mitchell's manufacturing sector itself.
Mitchell's manufacturing landscape has seen significant growth in recent years. According to the South Dakota Secretary of State's 2024 Q1 Economic Report, Mitchell experienced a 155% increase in building permit investments, suggesting substantial industrial expansion, including new or expanded manufacturing facilities. One such project is the $500 million High Plains Processing plant, currently under construction south of Mitchell, which will create 75 to 85 full-time jobs upon completion.
MAMA's impact on the local economy is substantial. To be part of the association, businesses must export at least 50% of their manufactured products out of state, ensuring that MAMA members are truly contributing to Mitchell's economic growth. From producing DiGiorno pizza boxes at Graphic Packaging to the big fans used in car washes at Twin City Fan, the products made in Mitchell play a crucial role in industries across the country.
"We have a lot of great things that come out of Mitchell," Cooper said.
Under Cooper's guidance, MAMA has evolved into a collaborative hub for 12 local manufacturers. One of MAMA's primary focuses is education, with a particular emphasis on engaging young people.
"We want to catch kids early on in their education and let them understand that manufacturing isn't a career you settle for. It can be a career of choice," Cooper said.
MAMA is also investing in future workforce. The association has an annual scholarship program, which began in 2016 with a $500 award for a Mitchell Technical College student. That amount has now doubled to $1,000. Some MAMA member companies even offer to pay for students' education in exchange for a commitment to work at their companies after graduation.
Cooper also organizes educational events during Manufacturing Week to inspire the next generation. During this time, MAMA takes a trailer full of products from local manufacturers to Career and Technical Education (CTE) schools, where company representatives educate students about the diverse range of products made in Mitchell.
Additionally, local manufacturers open their doors to the public for tours, offering an up-close look at manufacturing facilities and helping to dispel outdated notions about the industry.
"We want people to understand that manufacturing facilities aren't what they used to be," Cooper said. "They aren't dark, grim and dirty anymore. They're bright. They're robotic and very well monitored."
The changes in the industry are significant, Cooper said. According to Cooper, there are over 2,000 employed in the manufacturing sector in the area, and many positions are often office-based, engineering-focused, or involve high-tech equipment.
Mike Lauritsen, CEO of the Mitchell Area Development Corporation and the Chamber of Commerce, said it is Cooper's background as a mother and grandmother that truly embodies the "mama" of MAMA.
"Laurie has been instrumental in connecting our manufacturers to each other and helping them grow, despite the workforce challenges we face," Lauritsen said. "Her nurturing spirit and focus on community have helped foster collaboration and support, much like a mother or grandmother does for her family."
That spirit of collaboration has cultivated relationships with organizations like South Dakota Manufacturing and Technology Solutions. Stuart Giere, a business advisor with SDMTS, was invited earlier this year by Cooper to speak at a MAMA meeting about lean manufacturing principles. By the end of the meeting, Giere was impressed by how well-established these principles were among the group's members.
"Most cities in South Dakota have some manufacturing, but none, to my knowledge, is as organized and collaborative as the manufacturers in Mitchell," Giere said.
Since Giere's visit, under Cooper's guidance, MAMA has facilitated training programs in lean leadership and hosted simulations to improve manufacturing processes across member companies.
The association's impact extends beyond just networking. In 2011, MAMA funded a Mitchell-area housing survey, leading to the construction of eight properties providing up to 500 new housing units.
"A lot of manufacturing companies face employment crises at some point, and they know that to attract employees, you need to have housing," Cooper said.
For Cooper, the work with MAMA has been just as much about personal growth as it has been about supporting local manufacturers.
"The manufacturers that I work with are so proud of their product and they have every right to be," Cooper said.
