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25 Best Factory Tours in America for Families Who Love to Go Behind the Scenes

Find out what it takes to construct a jellybean, giant plane and everything in between.

After a prolonged period of being stuck at home, some families are looking to travel again. And while the COVID-19 pandemic means that precautions still have to be taken, and not every destination is up and running at 100% capacity, there's still plenty of unique experiences out there that are once again open to the public.

The following factory tours and appropriate for kids, are well-reviewed by families and are currently open to visitors (or will be opening soon). But you might want to book ahead — some require timed tickets or reservations before you visit. But when you're done, you'll all know a little bit more about how the world around you is made.

Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory (Louisville, Kentucky)

Swing by to see how baseball bats are made — this company has been churning them out since 1884. Your family can walk through the factory production line and watch the wood chips fly! Everyone can try out bats from iconic players, like Babe Ruth and Derek Jeter. With plenty of photo ops (including your crew inside a giant baseball mitt) and a free mini bat souvenir for every guest, this tour will be a home run. Open daily; $ 18 for adults, $11 for ages 6 – 12, free for ages 5 and under

Jelly Belly Visitor Center & Factory (Fairfield, California)

From your perch above the production line, you’ll witness all the steps — slurry, steam bath, glossy application — it takes to create the gourmet jellybeans that have been a thing since the late 1800s. Video screens provide close-ups and fun facts (like it takes 1 – 2 weeks to make a jellybean). Feeling hungry? Stop at the café for a jellybean-shaped pizza. Open daily (but factory workers are typically there only on weekdays), $5 for adults, $2 for ages 2 and up, free for younger kids

The Kazoo Factory Tour Experience (Beaufort, South Carolina)

After learning the ins and outs of kazoo-making during a factory walk-through, everyone gets to create their own instrument to take home. A built-in souvenir is music to our ears! Open Monday to Friday, $9 for adults, $7 for ages 4 – 11, free for younger kids

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PEZ Visitor Center (Orange, Connecticut)

The colorful facility dispenses equal parts nostalgia (it maintains well-organized vintage PEZ displays) and tech wizardry (you can see how the famous candy is packed). Be sure to snap your kid’s pic in front of the world’s largest PEZ dispenser, which looks like a person wearing a PEZ-themed baseball cap. Open daily; $5 for adults, $4 for ages 3 – 12, free for younger kids

Polaris Experience Center (Roseau, Minnesota)

School-age kids who love to build things will have their mind blown going behind-the-scenes at this maker of snowmobiles and ATVs. On the guided tour, they’ll see laser cutters, high-speed saws and other cool equipment making parts for the vehicles. They can also watch motors being installed and ATVs being tested. Whoa! Open Monday to Friday; children under age 6 prohibited; free

Hammond’s Candy Factory Tour (Denver, Colorado)

This centuries-old confectioner invites you to see how it makes its lollipops, candy canes and other treats. Looking through large viewing windows, your crew will be gobsmacked at how the colorful candies are shaped and packaged. Open Monday –Saturday; free

Kohler Design Center Factory Tour (Kohler, Wisconsin)

Got a teen whose interested in manufacturing? They’ll be fascinated by this detailed two-hour, 3 ½-mile foray behind the scenes of how the brand’s famous plumbing products are created. Open Monday – Friday, children under 14 not permitted, free

Sweet Pete’s Candy Shop (Jacksonville, Florida)

Willy Wonka vibes are strong at this mansion that takes guests from room to room of candy-making demos. You’ll get to design your own chocolate bar, choosing from more than 16 toppings. Check availability online; $6.45 per person

Henry Ford Rouge Factory Tour (Dearborn, Michigan)

One truck per minute rolls off the assembly line at this famous automotive factory — and your crew gets a birds-eye view of the goings-on from a 1/3-mile observation deck. There’s also a gallery of cool cars, like a 1965 Ford Mustang, to check out. Check dates online; $22 for adults, $16.50 for ages 5 – 11, free for younger kids

Turkey Hill Experience (Columbia, Pennsylvania)

While the dairy producer’s actual factory is closed to the public, this children’s museum-like attraction gives families the inside scoop on ice cream-making, plus unlimited free samples. Your kids can create their own virtual flavor, and then star in a commercial promoting it . Open daily; starts at $10.50 per person

World of Coca-Cola (Atlanta, Georgia)

Since you can’t tour an actual Coke bottling plant, this attraction is the next best thing. Its Bottle Works exhibit, showcasing real equipment, explains the packaging process. And you’ll get a chance to taste different kinds of sodas from around the world. Open daily; $19 for adults, $15 for ages 3 – 12, free for younger kids

Tillamook Creamery Tour (Tillamook, Oregon)

From a viewing gallery above the factory floor, you’ll see how milk becomes cheese. Then hit the dining hall for gooey faves, likes grilled cheese and mac ’n cheese. Your fam can even share a “flight” of ice cream. Open daily; tour is free, you can add tasting experiences for a charge

Warner Bros. Studio Tour (Los Angeles, California)

Your crew will be star-struck hanging out at a working movie studio. During the hour-long guided portion, you’ll see backlots, movie sets and maybe even spy someone famous. Then you’ll have two more hours to explore on your own — plenty of time to snap a pic of your family in front of the fountain from Friends . Open daily: $69 for adults, $59 for ages 5 – 10

The Great Utz Chip Trip Tour (Hanover, Pennsylvania)

Kids will discover how potatoes get turned into chips at this famous maker’s plant near the Pennsylvania-Maryland border. They can watch factory workers from an observation gallery; closed-circuit TV monitors provide close-ups. Everyone receives a free sample of chips at the end. Open Monday – Thursday, free

Ben & Jerry’s Factory Experience (Waterbury, Vermont)

With a tentative re-opening planned for the end of June 2022, this beloved attraction wets appetites with a short movie about how Ben & Jerry got their start. From there, it’s off to the mezzanine where you’ll watch how the ice cream is made. Samples of ice cream (sometimes a flavor that’s exclusive to the factory) is the proverbial cherry on top. On your way out, visit the “ice cream graveyard” of flavors that are no longer made. Check back for ticket info

The Crayola Experience (Easton, Pennsylvania)

There are many activities to take part in at The Crayola experience, including a live show where a "crayonologist" demonstrates how crayons are made. The 65,000-square-foot attraction also includes a toddler and a big-kid playground, interactive games and a studio for art projects, among manny other stations — they recommend blocking out three or four hours for a visit. Open daily. Admission is $25 if you buy tickets in advance; a timed ticket is required for all visitors ages 3 and up. There are also Crayola Experience locations in Chandler, Arizona; Mall of America, Minnesota; Orlando, Florida and Plano, Texas, but offerings may vary

Taza Chocolate Factory Tour (Somerville, Massachusetts)

Specializing in stone-ground chocolate, this candy maker explains the production process and hosts a sampling. On weekends, there’s a scavenger hunt-themed tour for kids under age 10 . Open Wednesday – Sunday; $8-$12 per person

The White House (Washington, DC)

Though not a factory in the traditional sense, White House tours are back, and you can meander around the famous Blue Room, Red Room, State dining room and — best of all — the Rose Garden. But you can’t wait until the last minute to book. Twenty-one to 90 days before you’d like to visit, you need to request one of the free tours by contacting your congress member’s office. Tours are only available on Fridays and Saturdays

Blue Bell Creamery Factory Tour (Brenham, Texas)

Look high above the factory floor to see ice cream being packaged in different types of containers. An employee is on-hand to answer all the kids’ questions about the process, so encourage them to ask away. Open Monday – Friday; free

American Whistle Company (Columbus, Ohio)

A kitschy stop on a Midwest road trip, this factory doles out loads of engaging info about a topic you probably never considered — how whistles are made. Everyone receives a whistle to take home. Open Monday Friday; $6 per person

Karen Cicero is a seasoned journalist who specializes in food, travel, home and new product coverage; she has visited almost every state — look out, Alaska, she's coming for you next! A mom who goes overboard for all the holidays, she lives in the Christmas city itself: Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.

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From planes to crayons, these fun factory tours go behind the scenes

Feb 14, 2020 • 7 min read

What’s more fun than breaking open a bright new box of crayons or digging a spoon into a melty pint of ice cream? Getting a behind-the-scenes look at how they’re made, of course.

Whether you’re a super fan or are just generally curious, companies around the US – some that have been in business for decades, and in some cases, for over a century – are offering a fresh new way to experience their goods. Visiting the factory offers insight on how a product comes to life, usually in a hands-on, interactive and fun way. From Cape Cod potato chips to PEZ candies, these 11 factory tours are worth a visit.

PEZ Factory – Orange, Connecticut

The world’s largest PEZ dispenser, vintage Star Wars PEZ and a PEZ motorcycle can all be found in the 4000 sq ft visitor’s center of the company’s candy-making factory . From floor-to-ceiling windows, see the tiny tabs being packaged. (Along with its sister candy-making factory in Traun, Austria, the company produces 5 billion candies each year).

Take time to explore the decades of memorabilia packed into the two-story center, and go on a scavenger hunt for a chance to win a sweet prize at the end.

Ben & Jerry’s – Waterbury, Vermont 

Every ice cream lover should add a Waterbury, Vermont , pilgrimage to their bucket list. The Ben & Jerry’s factory tour gives guests a front-row peek into the ice cream-making process, an overview of the company’s colorful history, and – the best part – a sample of the flavors. Finish the visit with a stroll around the company’s outdoor Flavor Graveyard, an ode to discontinued pints.

If a 30-minute tour isn’t enough, opt for the Flavor Fanatic Experience; the $225, two-hour package includes a private guided factory tour, a tie-dyed lab coat, and a hands-on mixing and tasting session in the Flavor Lab, led by one of the company’s Flavor Gurus.

Cape Cod Chips – Hyannis, Massachusetts

In Hyannis, Massachusetts, find the Kennedy compound, the fast ferries to Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard, and the Cape Cod Potato Chip factory. More than 250,000 visitors each year take the free, self-guided tour, which includes a walk through the facility to see potato chips made in custom kettles, plus relics from the first factory dating back to the 1980s.

At the end of the tour, break open your complimentary chips at an umbrella-shaded table on the sunny patio. (The tour is available Monday to Friday from 9am-5pm.)

US Mint – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

If you have coins in your pocket, there’s a good chance they were minted in Philadelphia . (You can tell by the tiny “P” stamped on one side.) In the city of brotherly love, the US Mint has been producing coins for over 225 years, and visitors can see the process during the self-guided, 45-minute tours available to the public most days.

See the coining operation from 40ft above the factory floor, check out the historic artifacts, like the press used to make the nation’s first coins in 1792, and see the series of seven, 5ft-tall Tiffany glass mosaics created to commemorate the opening of the third US Mint building in 1901. While the Mint sadly doesn’t offer free samples, you can buy commemorative coins and other collectibles in the gift shop.

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Jelly Belly Factory – Fairfield, California

The sixth-generation family-run candy company has been in business since 1898, and making the beloved Jelly Beans since 1976. At the Jelly Belly Factory , self-guided tours lead visitors through a quarter mile-long elevated path, with interactive exhibits and a view of the factory floor. For a flat fee of $39 for groups of up to six, private tour guides will take you through. In the end, everyone gets free samples of the rainbow-hued treat.

Louisville Slugger Factory  – Louisville, Kentucky

You can’t miss the Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory , located in downtown Louisville , Kentucky. The 120ft, 68,000 pound, world’s largest baseball bat leans against the side of the building, marking the entrance. Louisville Slugger has been making its iconic bats since 1884, and the factory and museum give visitors an up-close look at how they’re produced. Walk through the line to see the step-by-step process, explore the Bat Vault, with a copy of nearly every bat the company has ever made, and leave with a souvenir mini bat, free for tour-goers.

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Tillamook Creamery Factory – Tillamook, Oregon

Inside the strikingly modern facade of Oregon’s Tillamook Creamery Factory , the milk produced by the cows on the company’s fourth generation farm is transformed into award-winning cheeses. Get a bird’s-eye view from the observation windows, down onto the factory floor, as the process goes from fresh milk to cheese curds to aged cheddars.

The sprawling, state-of-the-art aging warehouse on site houses upwards of 37 million pounds of cheese, which age from 60 days to 6 years before being sent back out to the warehouse to be cut into bricks and packed up for the grocery store. Don’t leave before sampling all the cheese.

Hershey’s Chocolate Factory – Hershey Pennsylvania

In the central Pennsylvania town of Hershey, the lamp posts are shaped like Hershey’s Kisses and there’s usually a faint whiff of chocolate in the air. To find the source, head straight for the Hershey’s Chocolate Factory . During the free, 30-minute tour, visitors can take an immersive journey through the facility to see how chocolate is made, from cocoa bean to foil-wrapped bar, and finish with a Hershey’s treat.

For $26.95, the create-your-own candy bar tour lets visitors make their own confection, and design a personalized wrapper for a one-of-a-kind souvenir.

Crayola Experience – Easton, Pennsylvania

Crayola has been in business for over a century, making iconic crayons and coloring accoutrements for kids and adults alike. (Color Escapes, ie adult coloring books, were introduced in 2015.) The colorful company has a manufacturing plant in Pennsylvania ’s Lehigh Valley, about halfway between Philadelphia and New York City, and about ten minutes away, visitors can check out the Crayola Experience . Guests can see how crayons are made in a live show, pose for a personalized coloring page, mold a critter or character out of crayon wax, and name a color, taking home a keepsake crayon.

Taylor Guitars – San Diego, California

Seasoned musicians and anyone who appreciates a good Spotify playlist will love the thoroughly educational look into how Taylor Guitars are made. Every weekday at 1pm, free, guided tours are offered at the legendary manufacturer of premium acoustic guitars, used by artists like Taylor Swift, Dave Matthews, and Zac Brown.

The 75-minute tour takes place right on the factory floor, so visitors can soak up each step of the process, from choosing the wood and assembling the pieces to finished product. Don’t miss the guitar room, where myriad models are available to test out. (Tours aren’t offered on weekday holidays, so check the schedule before visiting.)

Boeing – Everett, Washington 

The Future of Flight Aviation Center & Boeing Tour is located just north of Seattle , at the company’s Everett factory. Inside the building – which is the largest in the world, by volume – the aircraft design and manufacturing company assembles the 747, 767, 777 and 787 planes. The 90-minute tour is the only one of its kind in North America, offering a look inside a working commercial jet engine assembly plant, and highlights include the factory tour, plus the Boeing gallery that showcases over 150 products the company makes and is developing, including satellites, submarines, and alternative fuels.

On Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, the facility offers hands-on robotics workshops, introducing visitors to the basics of coding robots for use in the manufacturing process. Tours are so popular, travelers can book day trips from downtown Seattle that include transportation, hotel pickup and dropoff. (Visitors must be 4, or 122 cm tall, to go on the tour.)

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Best US Factory Tours and Museums

Related to:, celestial seasonings.

celestial seasonings, factory, tour, boulder, colorado

Photo by: Courtesy of Celestial Seasonings

Courtesy of Celestial Seasonings

We’ve all had a cup of Sleepytime tea, but have you ever wondered what goes into making that little pouch of goodness? At the Celestial Seasonings factory, visitors can watch as herbal tea ingredients are blended, packaged and shipped to your local grocery store. The tours are free, and include free samples of all the different Celestial Seasonings tea varieties.

Harley-Davidson

harley davidson, motorcycle, factory, york, pennsylvania

Photo by: Klaus Nahr , Flickr CC-BY-SA-2.0

Klaus Nahr , Flickr CC-BY-SA-2.0

Get in touch with your inner biker at the Harley-Davidson factory in York, PA, where the Touring, Softail and Trike models are all made. Catch a glimpse of the manufacturing and assembly process, and sit on a Harley before it’s shipped from the factory.

Jelly Belly

jelly belly, factory, tour, fairfield, california

Photo by: Jelly Belly Candy Company

Jelly Belly Candy Company

Did you know that a jelly bean takes at least a week to make? Find out why on a Jelly Belly factory tour in Fairfield, CA, where 150 different jelly bean flavors are constantly being cooked up. Tours are free, but make sure to check out the candy store and chocolate shop before you leave.

Louisville Slugger

louisville slugger, museum, factory, kentucky

Photo by: Andy Lyons/Getty Images

Andy Lyons/Getty Images

Visit the Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory to see how the iconic bats are made. The factory museum also has a collection of retired Louisville Sluggers that have been swung by some of baseball’s greats. Tours are $10, and you’ll get your very own miniature bat!

The Crayola Factory

crayola crayons, factory, easton, pennsylvania

Photo by: William Thomas Cain/Getty Images

William Thomas Cain/Getty Images

While there is not an actual manufacturing plant onsite, the Crayola Factory serves as a museum and visitor center where you can become an expert on how the famous crayons are made. Learn about Crayola’s history, color on the walls, play with sidewalk chalk, and watch as your own souvenir box of crayons is made.

Intel Museum

intel, museum, santa clara, california

Photo by: Bloomberg/Getty Images

Bloomberg/Getty Images

The Intel Museum is a 10,000-square-foot learning experience. Watch as employees demonstrate how silicon chips are made, and even try on one of the “bunny suits,” which workers must wear while manufacturing the chips.

Maker's Mark Distillery

makers mark, distillery, loretto, kentucky

Visit this National Historic Landmark to learn about the distillery’s history, watch the fermentation process, and get a look at the barrels that the whiskey ages in. The tour also includes a look at the bottling area, where workers hand-dip the top of each bottle in Maker’s Mark’s signature red wax.

Hershey's Chocolate World

hersheys chocolate world, factory, hershey, pennsylvania

Photo by: Gary Burke/Moment/Getty Images

Gary Burke/Moment/Getty Images

Feel like you stepped into a scene from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory at Hershey’s Chocolate World . Walk through a tropical jungle where cocoa beans are harvested, take a simulated factor tour, create your own candy bar, and don’t forget to pick up your free sample!

mack truck, museum, allentown, pennsylvania

Photo by: Lehigh Valley, PA

Lehigh Valley, PA

Head to Macungie, PA, to see how Mack trucks are made. Be prepared, because the factory tour includes 1.5 miles of walking! Stop by the Mack Museum in Allentown, PA, to see truck models from 1907 to 1973.

Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream

ben and jerrys, ice cream, factory, waterbury, vermont

Photo by: Raffi Asdourian , via Flickr

Raffi Asdourian , via Flickr

Located in Vermont’s Green Mountains, the Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream factory is a must-see for satisfying any sweet tooth. Get a glimpse of the ice cream production line, watch a “moo-vie” on the company’s history, and stop at the Flavoroom for a taste of the flavor of the day. Don’t forget to visit the flavor graveyard, the final resting place for retired ice cream varieties.

Gibson Guitar Factory

gibson, guitars, factory, nashville, tennessee

The Gibson luthiers (string-instrument makers) bind, paint, neck-fit, buff and tune the famous guitars right at the Memphis factory. Watch as they make some of the same guitars that have been played by Eric Clapton, Bob Dylan and Jimi Hendrix.

Tabasco Factory

tabasco factory, avery island, louisiana

Photo by: Omar Torres/AFP/Getty Images

Omar Torres/AFP/Getty Images

Visit tiny Avery Island on the Bayou to learn how the famous hot-pepper sauce is made, aged, bottled and shipped. Make sure to stop at the Tabasco Country Store at the tour’s end for a taste of Tabasco-flavored ice cream and to pick up Tabasco-inspired souvenirs.

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Why (and How) to Take a Plant Tour

• David M. Upton
• Stephen E. Macadam

By adopting a systematic approach to plant tours, visitors can uncover and communicate a wealth of strategic and operating information.

In recent years, managers have recognized how manufacturing capabilities contribute to a company’s overall strategic strength. The ability to respond quickly to customers’ orders, to customize products to match customers’ exact requirements, or to ramp up production rapidly can be a powerful and difficult-to-imitate competitive weapon. But many corporate managers identify their plants’ capabilities only by accident—as a result of chance conversations with plant managers or operations specialists. Consequently, many managers do not have the information necessary to cultivate, shape, and exploit their company’s manufacturing capabilities. As plants develop, however, they need guidance to build capabilities that meet current and future needs. Plant tours can be a powerful way of providing factories with that kind of direction.

• David M. Upton is the American Standard Companies Professor of Operations Management at the University of Oxford’s Saïd Business School.
• SM Stephen E. Macadam is a principal at McKinsey & Company’s Charlotte, North Carolina, office.

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Made in the USA: 23 Must-See Factory Tours

©TripAdvisor

Many tourists have gone on a brewery or distillery tour  or been through the chocolate  wonderland that is the Hershey's Chocolate Tour in Pennsylvania. But guitar factories, cigar makers, motorcycle plants, and other fascinating sites are also open to visitors. This survey of more than 30 tours — all free or less than $10 a person, unless otherwise noted — can add an educational element to your next vacation and may also offer free samples, along with fun memories. The COVID-19 pandemic changed many companies’ policies regarding tours. Check official websites for the most recent information before planning a visit.

Related: 74 Brands That Are Still Made in America

Moose Munch and More at Harry & David's

Medford, Oregon Folks who have wondered how that addictive sweet-salty Moose Munch snack is made can take a Harry & David tour . It offers a look at the mail-order company (dating back to the 1930s) and its treats, including baklava and truffles. The tours include a bakery treat and a chocolate.

Related:   American Candymakers With Treats Almost Too Pretty to Eat

In Tune with Martin Guitars

Nazareth, Pennsylvania Martin guitars have been played by Johnny Cash, Joan Baez, Paul Simon, and Beck, among many others. Though Martin, which dates back to the 1830s, has a production plant in Mexico for its less-expensive models, its headquarters in Nazareth, Pennsylvania, is where it makes its top-of-the-line guitars and ukuleles. Fans of its legendary guitars can actually see them made there on factory tours five days a week .

Chips, No Dip at Utz Potato Chips and Snacks

Hanover, Pennsylvania Visitors can experience the sights and smells of snack-making during a free tour of the Utz Potato Chips and Snacks factory. A self-guided tour of the 600,000-square-foot facility — the Utz Potato Chip Trip — takes an average of 30 to 45 minutes. A glass-enclosed observation gallery looks down on the entire production process, while an audio program and closed-circuit TV monitors help guide visitors through.

Some Special Beer at Summit Brewing Co.

St. Paul, Minnesota Summit Brewing Co. , bills itself as the maker of "A More Meaningful Brew." Visitors can find out what that means when they "witness the miracle of brewing" and have a few samples from these Midwest pioneers who made their name with copper kettles instead of covered wagons. The tour includes a flight of four 7-ounce beers.

Related:   19 of the Oldest Breweries in America

Say 'Cheese' at Beecher's Handmade Cheese

New York City It might be crass to call this a factory tour, but Beecher's Handmade Cheese  in New York City's Flatiron District (a sister to the famed flagship in Seattle's Pike Place Market) features a glass-walled cheese-making kitchen where visitors can watch centuries-old craftsmanship. Guests can also grab a sandwich in the café or have a glass of wine downstairs in the Cellar, where rows of Beecher's cheeses ripen to perfection.

For the Science-Minded at Experimental Breeder Reactor-I

Arco, Idaho For those with an interest in science, nuclear energy, or electricity, a free tour of Idaho's pioneering Experimental Breeder Reactor-I  explains how electricity is generated from nuclear energy. Located between Idaho Falls and Arco, the (EBR-I) Atomic Museum is a National Historic Landmark where usable electricity was first generated from nuclear energy in 1951.

Snuggle Up at Vermont Teddy Bear

Shelburne, Vermont Those with a soft spot for stuffed animals can tour the Vermont Teddy Bear factory  and see how those well-dressed cuties are made. During the guided tour, which lasts about 30 minutes, visitors watch bears be crafted by hand and see the Bear Hospital, where "Dr. Nancy" does repairs.

Got Milk at Knigge Farm

Omro, Wisconsin There's no shortage of milk at Knigge Farm , the first dairy farm in the country with robotic milkers. They also have 600 acres of alfalfa, corn, soybeans, oats, and wheat, along with 130 milk cows and 170 heifers, calves, and steers. A half-hour guided tour features a free-stall dairy barn where cows are milked robotically 24 hours a day. Guests can also feed the calves if it's mealtime.

Frosty Goodness at Ben & Jerry's

Waterbury, Vermont Who hasn't turned to a pint of Ben & Jerry's for comfort at some point? Fans can see where that sweet solace is made at the Ben & Jerry's factory tour and ice cream shop . The 30-minute tour takes visitors through the process — the production area is viewed from a glassed-in mezzanine — and ends on a decidedly sweet note, offering everyone the sample of the day. 

Note: Tours of Ben & Jerry's remain suspended and the gift shop is closed until mid-July 2022, according to the company's website. 

Knock on Wood at Wisconsin Wagon Co.

Janesville, Wisconsin The Wisconsin Wagon Co.  produces more than a dozen handmade wooden products such as the signature Janesville Coaster Wagon, along with serving trays and more. An hourlong tour takes visitors through the manufacturing process, which includes metalworking, woodworking, finishing, and assembly operations. Tours are for groups of 15 or more and require reservations.

Go Nuts at Bates Nut Farm

Valley Center, California Bates Nut Farm is a family farm established in 1921. Today the fourth- and fifth-generation families offer a glimpse into the business and a "Nuts For You" Tour  for groups of 15 or more by reservation. It touches on the history of nut-growing in California and offers a behind-the-scenes look at the roasting, packaging, and storage facilities on site, along with seasonal snacks.

A Sweet Deal at Jelly Belly

Fairfield, California Videos at  Jelly Belly factory tours  provide visitors a peek into the jelly-bean-making process, while a self-guided walk along an elevated, quarter-mile-long tour lane provides a bird's-eye view of the operation. There are also interactive exhibits and free samples.

Sparkle On at Mount Rushmore Gold Factory

Rapid City, South Dakota At the Mount Rushmore Gold Factory , free factory tours put the spotlight on skilled artisans who demonstrate the ancient process of lost-wax casting and show how diamonds are cast in molten gold. Diamond cutting is also demonstrated on the free tour. At the factory store, visitors can take advantage of factory-direct prices.

Olive Love at Queen Creek Olive Mill

Queen Creek, Arizona Queen Creek Olive Mill is a thriving agri-tourism destination with 7,000 trees, a market, and an eatery. During the 45-minute Olive Oil 101 Tour , guests get to taste the oil created on site. They also learn about the qualities, standards, and health benefits of olive oil, as well as the 10-year history of the farm.

A Cup of Joe at Stone Creek Coffee

Milwaukee, Wisconsin Stone Creek Coffee  features a free weekly tour of its 1880s factory on Sundays. The Milwaukee craft coffee roaster, founded in 1993, gives visitors an inside look at the craft, from the coffee-growing seasons to the art of specialized roasting, in its green storage area, roasting facility, cupping lab, and training center — along with free coffee.

Plastic Fantastic at the Pez Visitor Center

Orange, Connecticut Tours of the Pez Visitor Center  are self-guided and viewing windows offer a look at the production floor. Video monitors explain the process that produces the more than 3 billion Pez candies sold annually. That's just in the United States, and not to mention the quirky dispensers.

Carry a Tune at the Kazoo Factory, Museum & Gift Shop

Eden, New York Kazoos and road trips go together — at least, kids used to think that was so. Take a nostalgic trip into the history of the musical instrument that seemingly everyone can play with a tour of the Kazoo Factory, Museum & Gift Shop of Eden . History, trivia, and manufacturing are explored in self-guided and hosted tours.

Plumb Amazing at Kohler

Kohler, Wisconsin Home handymen, plumbers, and interior designers alike will find something of interest at the Kohler factory tours  at the plumbing supplier’s home. The tours last about three hours and are available weekdays. Visitors get a look at the production of china lavatories, bathtubs, and more. 

Furniture, By Hand at George's Furniture

Marietta, Pennsylvania Pennsylvania's Lancaster County has a strong craft tradition that continues today with companies like George's Furniture , headquartered on a small farm outside the village of Maytown. In the woodshop, skilled artisans make solid hardwood furniture by hand to custom specifications. Items such as chairs, beds, tables, and cupboards are crafted out of walnut, cherry, oak, or hard maple.

Bath Time at All Natural Soap Handmade by Herbaria

St. Louis All Natural Soap Handmade by Herbaria  is a company marking its 20th anniversary this year. Visitors are invited to take the free, brief tour of the factory/store and hear all about both the botanical ingredients and the chemistry that go into soap-making. This destination is said to be "worth a trip for the smell alone!" Groups of 10 or more require advance notice.

Let There Be Light at Yankee Candle Village

South Deerfield, Massachusetts The Yankee Candle Village , the company's flagship location in South Deerfield, Massachusetts, is a bit more theme park/shopping center than factory. But amid special events, visitors can see 400,000 candles in more than 200 different scents and view candle-making in a recreated 1830s shop.

Hallmark Moments at the Hallmark Visitors Center

Kansas City, Missouri The Hallmark Visitors Center  offers a free look at the company's history, which spans more than 100 years, and a display featuring 40 years of ornaments. Visitors can also take a selfie with one of the Emmy Awards presented to the company for its "Hallmark Hall of Fame" productions. Reservations required.

Color On at the Crayola Experience

Multiple locations The Crayola Experience  in Easton, Pennsylvania (there are also locations in Chandler, Arizona; Minneapolis; Orlando, Florida; and Plano, Texas) is a 65,000-square-foot destination designed to spark imagination and creativity by touching on color, chemistry, and technology. Admission is $28 for guests ages 3 and older, but families can expect to spend three to four hours exploring more than 25 attractions, which include the Crayon Factory, a live theater show that explains how crayons are made. Visitors can save $3 by booking online.

Discover more fun and affordable vacation destinations   right here .

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The 15 Best Factory Tours in America

If you're hitting the road this summer, try to work one of these fun factory tours into your itinerary. there’s something on this list for everyone, from airplane enthusiasts to whiskey connoisseurs., john deere in east moline, illinois.

In 1837, Illinois blacksmith John Deere set out to address the concerns of local farmers whose plows weren’t holding up against the thick Midwest soil, and the John Deere empire was born. Today, the company’s East Moline factory offers tours that guide visitors through the process of manufacturing the company's various machines—the American-made equipment that helps feed the world.

Related: 10 American-Made Buys for Your Outdoor Living Area

Jelly Belly in Fairfield, California

Why does it take up to 14 days to create a single jelly bean? Find out on the Jelly Belly Candy Company’s free factory tour. Learn how the 50 Jelly Belly flavors and other sweet treats are made, sample some of your favorites, and stop off at the café or fudge shop afterwards to enjoy some sweet (and savory) snacks, or take them to go. Jelly bean-shaped burgers, anyone?

Related: Yes, These 20 Weird and Wacky Museums Actually Exist

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Harley-Davidson Vehicle Operations in York, Pennsylvania

The Harley-Davidson Vehicle Operations center, established in 1973, is where the Touring, Trike and CVO families of motorcycles are assembled. Visitors to the Vaughn L. Beals Tour Center will be able to explore exhibits, walk the factory floor from manufacturing to assembly to the end of the line, and sit on a current production model.

Related: 15 Classic Roadside Motels You Can Visit Along America's Highways

flickr.com via Klaus Nahr

The United States Mint in Philadelphia and Denver

See where the money gets made at two of the four active United States Mint facilities. The Philadelphia and Denver locations offer free self-guided walking tours that showcase the past and present of the Mint and describe all stages of the coining process, from the craftsmanship that goes into the original designs to the final production process.

Related: 20 Weird and Wacky Destinations for a Family Road Trip

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Future of Flight Aviation Center and Boeing Tour in Mukilteo, Washington

To visit the only North American commercial jet factory open to the public, direct your car to Mukilteo, about 30 miles north of Seattle. There, you can view 747, 777, and 787 Dreamliner models while they’re being assembled in the Everett production line and meet some of the thousands of employees who support the design and development of Boeing’s aircraft. The Everett production facility, the largest building in the world by volume, has welcomed millions of visitors since 1968.

Related: 7 Companies That Want to Help Their Employees Buy a House

Celestial Seasonings Factory Tour in Boulder, Colorado

The Celestial Seasonings Factory offers what may be one of the country’s most aromatic tours: a behind-the-scenes look at how tea is made. See for yourself the manufacturing magic, from blending to shipping, that goes into every cup of tea, including the company’s ever-popular Sleepytime blend.

Related:  15 Places Every American Should Visit at Least Once

flickr.com via Wally Gobetz

Hershey’s Chocolate World in Hershey, Pennsylvania

Hershey’s Chocolate World’s big attraction isn't technically a factory tour—it's more like an educational ride, the likes of which you might find at Disneyland. Guests board a moving chain of cars, “It’s a Small World” style, to travel through the story of chocolate, where animatronic characters explain how Hershey makes the company's iconic milk chocolate . After the tour, try other attractions, including a create-your-own-candy-bar activity or the 4D Chocolate Mystery show.

Related:  12 Destinations You Should Actually Visit During the Off-Season

flickr.com via Rain0975

Louisville Slugger Museum and Factory in Louisville, Kentucky

An apprentice in his father’s woodworking shop , John Andrew "Bud" Hillerich began crafting baseball bats for himself and his teammates in the 1880s. Although the company was originally known for its wood butter churn, the baseball bats eventually became the company’s signature item. Fast-forward more than a century, and guests on the factory tour can watch the bats made right before their eyes—and even receive a free miniature Louisville Slugger bat to take home as a souvenir.

Related: 12 Unusual Ways to Reinvent Old Sports Gear

flickr.com via Alves Family

Ben & Jerry’s Factory Tour and Ice Cream Shop in Waterbury, Vermont

Learn how one of America’s favorite ice creams is made, from farm to freezer. View the production room from a glassed-in mezzanine, and enjoy the sample of the day. After the tour, wander through the Flavor Graveyard to pay your respects to beloved flavors of years past.

Related:  17 Brands Born and Loved in the U.S.A.

Gibson Guitars in Memphis, Tennessee

Music lovers won’t want to miss the Gibson Beale Street Showcase in Memphis, where highly skilled luthiers (makers of stringed instruments) craft world-class guitars. On the tour, you’ll learn how Gibson became a leader in the musical instrument industry and trace the many steps involved in making a guitar, including binding, neck-fitting, painting, buffing, and tuning.

Related:  17 Things You Won’t Believe People Actually Collect

Toyota Tour in Georgetown, Kentucky

At the world’s largest Toyota manufacturing facility, more than 2,000 cars are made each day. The Georgetown, Kentucky, factory  welcomes visitors on weekdays for a tour that includes a tram ride around the plant, a discussion of the acclaimed car company’s future, and a peek at the very first Camry ever made in the United States—a pristine example of late-1980s auto design. 

Related:  Pedestrians Only: 20 Car-Free Cities in America

Airstream Factory Tour in Jackson Center, Ohio

For many, an Airstream isn’t just a convenient, comfortable way to get from point A to point B— it’s a way of life . These touring coaches and travel trailers are handcrafted in Jackson Center, Ohio, where the company welcomes visitors for a two-hour walking tour through the state-of-the-art factory.

Related:  The 18 Best Tiny Houses on Wheels

flickr.com via Matthew Simoneau

Jack Daniel Distillery in Lynchburg, Tennessee

Make a trip to Lynchburg, Tennessee, for a behind-the-scenes tour of the whiskey-making process at the Jack Daniel Distillery. As  no distillery tour would be complete without a taste , upgrade to the Flight of Jack Distillery Tour, which includes a stop at historic Barrelhouse 1-14, where visitors over 21 years of age will savor a flight of five Jack Daniel’s whiskeys and liqueurs.

Related:  10 "Sober" Alternative Uses for Alcohol at Home

Tabasco Factory in Avery Island, Louisiana

The McIlhenny Company has turned their hometown of Avery Island into a destination for lovers of their famous Tabasco® brand Pepper Sauce. A factory tour of their facility provides background on the McIlhenny Company and the McIlhenny family, and answers all your burning hot-sauce questions. While you’re there, take the Tabasco Culinary Tour, sample delicious Cajun cuisine, or take a Tabasco-centric cooking class with Hospitality Chef Lionel Robin.

Related: 17 New Essentials for Your Best-Ever BBQ

flickr.com via Kent Kanouse

Pendleton Woolen Mills in Washougal, Washington, and Pendleton, Oregon

Learn how Pendleton turns raw wool into fabric, and fabric into beautiful, intricate clothing and blankets . The Pendleton Blanket Mill and Washougal Weaving Mill offer weekday tours where they educate visitors about the weaving process and demonstrate how one weaver's dream and the hard work of six generations turned Pendleton into a household name.

Related:  12 Household Favorites Born in the USA

flickr.com via Association of Washington Business

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25 Quirkiest Factory Tours You Can Visit in the US

Posted by Conan White , Updated on November 14, 2022

Factory tours are becoming increasingly popular and are often a cheap or free way to have an interesting day out.

Nowadays there are lots of factory tours, many dealing with mainstream consumables such as beer, wine, food, or chocolate (some of the more unusual ones we have included on this list).

For everyone involved, they are a win/win situation; the factory owners get a chance to showcase their product and highlight its quality and other virtues. The visitor has the opportunity to get educated and entertained while learning about something new or something they have a strong loyalty to (like Coca-cola or Harley-Davidson).

So, we have compiled a list of U.S. factory tours that you’ll find a little bit unique. Here is a list of 25 Quirkiest Factory Tours You Can Visit in the U.S.

And always remember to visit their website ahead of time if you going to take one of these tours; many have limited hours and some have entrance fees.

The Great Alaskan Bowl Company (Fairbanks, Alaska)

Trek to the remotest state of the United States and see how traditional wooden bowls are made from Alaskan Birch trees.

You’ll marvel at the range of sizes they come in and find yourself captivated as you learn about the versatility of these handcrafted wonders. Not only can they be used for serving food, but the larger ones can be used to create bread mixtures.

Be sure to stop off at the gift shop on the way out. There, you’ll be able to pick up conversation starters like the $179 five-piece applesauce set.

Official Website: https://www.woodbowl.com/

Alaskan Brewing Company (Juneau, Alaska)

If you are going to visit this brewery from out of state, you can only get there by plane or boat! This facility was founded over 30 years ago. It now produces 20 varieties of beers, one of which is based on an authentic beer recipe that dates back over a century to the time of the gold rush (the Alaskan Amber).

The tour itself includes a visit to the tasting room for some free samples, as well as a look around the brewing and bottling operation in action. You will also see their innovative boiler, which is powered by spent grain, a byproduct of the brewing process. Talk about sustainability!

Official Website: https://alaskanbeer.com/visit/

Deering Banjo Company (Spring Valley, California)

Have you ever wondered about the how’s, why’s and when’s of the banjo? Do you even know what one is? It’s a stringed musical instrument with a long neck and a round base.

This fascinating tour guides you through the making of this captivating instrument. You’ll learn interesting facts like these: the neck of the banjo can be made of woods such as the maple, mahogany, or Brazilian rosewood; and, interestingly, the banjo’s inlay can consist of mother of pearl or even gold.

This company made the world’s first electric banjo back in the 1980s. On the tour, they’ll offer tips on how best to care for a banjo, as some of the finer models cost over $5,000.

Official Website: https://www.deeringbanjos.com/pages/contact-us

Heath Ceramics Tile Factory (San Francisco, California)

Heath Ceramics has been in business for over 70 years. Their tiles are often featured in the top and most prestigious design magazines.

On one of their factory tours, you will get a glimpse of how their high-quality ceramic titles are shaped, glazed, trimmed, and fired as well as learn about their ethical approach to producing the tiles in a sustainable way with an aim to become a zero-waste manufacturer in the next few years.

You will also get to see the many and varied tile collections that have helped to make Heath Ceramic tiles famous.

Official Website: https://www.heathceramics.com/pages/factory-tours

Al's Family Farms Citrus (Indian River, Florida)

At this citrus farm and processing plant, you can take a guided tour that will truly be an experience to cherish. The highlight of the tour is a chance to see the automated wash-line where you can view the fruit as it is cleaned, sanitized, and graded at high speed.

You’ll also receive free access to the vegetable patch where the owners provide you with a glass of the farm’s freshly-squeezed orange juice. The farm actively encourages you to take as many pictures as you like during the tour.

Official Website: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Di2ThVZeGV4

Sechler's Fine Pickles (St. Joe, Indiana)

Find out about the nine fascinating stages of pickling, which starts with the cucumber being grown on a farm and ends with the final, triumphant stage of the pickle getting canned and labeled!

All their pickles are double sweetened and made in the traditional way, in oak vats. They are left to ferment for at least three months before they are used. The pickles come in a wide variety of delicious flavors such as zesty bread and butter, pickles with crispy raisins, and super hot cauliflower pickles.

Official Website: https://www.sechlerspickles.com/pages/how_we.html

Strataca Underground Salt Museum (Hutchinson, Kansas)

Located 650 feet below the surface is a museum dedicated to salt mining, situated in a fully-functioning salt mine. There are daily tours of the mine complete with lighted hard hats.

Each year, you can also take part in a 5 or 10-kilometer fun run through the mine’s maze of passages. Because much of the run is through utter darkness, a flashlight is mandatory.

Also, discover why companies that store nuclear waste here, such as the Atomic Energy Commission, choose to do so safely and with confidence. At the end of each tour, you will get the opportunity to collect a piece of salt for your very own keepsake.

Website Official: https://www.underkansas.org/contact-1

Bourbon Barrel Foods (Louisville, Kentucky)

Can you guess how many microbrewers of soy sauce there are in the United States? Well, there’s just one and that is Bourbon Barrel Foods.

On their factory tour, you get to look through windows to see how the company cooks, roasts, and mashes the soybean before blending it into the final product that gets aged in genuine bourbon wooden barrels.

The well-stocked gift shop sells varieties of soy sauce as well as coffee and cheese products, and company-themed t-shirts, baseball caps, and socks.

Official Website: https://bourbonbarrelfoods.com/

Louisville Slugger Museum and Factory (Louisville, Kentucky)

Discover the mystery and craftsmanship that goes into making a traditional “Slugger” (baseball bat). This company has been making baseball bats since 1884 and is a local landmark with its giant baseball bat propped up against the facilities. At 68,000 pounds and measuring 120 feet tall, it is the largest baseball bat in the world!

This family-friendly tour not only includes a look around the Louisville factory but also of the adjoining museum, which has amazing baseball-related artifacts and interactive exhibits. There are daily demonstrations of how they brand the name into their iconic sluggers.

Official Website: https://www.sluggermuseum.com/about-us/our-history

McIlhenny Family Tabasco Sauce Museum and Factory Tour (Avery Island, Louisiana)

Where else could you take a factory tour that ends in tasting Tabasco sauce-flavored ice cream? Here on Avery Island, you can take a tour that allows you to see this world-famous red pepper sauce made, which now comes in eight different flavors.

You’ll also view the greenhouses where the peppers are grown and the white oak barrels where they are aged for three years at a time. Also on site is a Tabasco-themed museum and restaurant, along with an old salt mine that is no longer in use.

Official Website: https://www.tabasco.com/visit-avery-island/

Hoegh Caskets (Gladstone, Michigan)

This company is the largest pet casket maker in the world. Touring this factory, you will see where they make caskets for your dearly departed pets. You’ll have the chance to take note of the care and craftsmanship that go into producing these thoughtful products that range in size from a casket for your beloved hamster to one built for a large dog.

Appreciate their attention to detail in providing a full service if required, including floral arrangements, candles, and velvet paintings of your beloved pet to honor their tragic passing. Please bear in mind that there is no gift shop at this facility.

Official Website: https://www.hoeghcaskets.com/contact/gladstone-mi

AGCO Corporation/Intivity Center (Jackson, Minnesota)

This tour is two hours long and takes you on a 1.5-mile tour that incorporates the tractor assembly line and the visitor’s center. The company employs nearly 1,000 workers in a state-of-the-art manufacturing workshop.

The facility proudly showcases its latest innovation in the agricultural tractor technology and was the first to produce a self-propelled crop sprayer in the U.S. Learn about such important issues as the debate on tillage methods for seedbed preparation in terms of plant reliability and growth, spacing, surface residue, root development, soil compaction, and per-acre yield.

Safety glasses are provided and must be worn at all times during this tour.

Official Website http://www.intivitycenter.com/

Spam Museum and Factory Tour (Austin, Minnesota)

Hey, who doesn’t want to tour a Spam factory, right? The added bonus is that it’s an iconic and world-renowned brand. You’ll be truly captivated as you are shown around the Spam museum and production line by specially dedicated “Spam-bassadors”.

Learn about the history and the many varieties of Spam such as Smoked Hickory, Bacon, Classic, Turkey, Garlic, Black Pepper, Jalapeno, Cheese, Teriyaki, Chorizo, Portuguese Sausage, and Hot & Spice.

Once in the gift shop, see if you can resist buying the Spam tin can party costume or the $250 Spam-themed corn-tossing game (corn-filled tossing bags included).

Official Website: https://www.spam.com/museum

Tacony Vacuum Museum and Factory (St. James, Missouri)

Sadly, this attraction has just closed its doors for good and will be sorely missed in the factory touring community. We often take for granted the incredible convenience and cleverness of the legendary vacuum cleaner.

No doubt, you have many unanswered questions about this useful invention. Well, a tour of this museum and factory would have satisfied your curiosity and forged in you a deeper appreciation of this functional home appliance.

Unfortunately, the history and evolution of the vacuum cleaner – from its humble beginnings of the horse-drawn pneumatic carpet renovator cleaning machines of the late 1890s – must remain a mystery to you (unless, of course, you search for information on Wikipedia or YouTube).

Official Website: Closed

Brewery Ommegang (Cooperstown, New York)

Set in a former farm that has now been made to look like an old Belgium Farmhouse, this is the shortest tour on the list. It only lasts 20 to 30 minutes long, but it packs a lot into that time.

You will get to see the brewing house, lager cellar, and packaging hall. Afterward, in the tasting room, you have the opportunity to sample up to six different beers for a small extra fee.

The brewery is currently doing a limited edition range of ales, stouts, and wines based around the Game of Thrones franchise. So, a glass of Queen of the Seven Kingdoms or The King of the North, anyone?

Official Website: https://www.ommegang.com/visit-us/tours-tastings/

The Original American Kazoo Company (Eden, New York)

Catch this slice of history before it is gone forever, as this is the last traditional kazoo factory left in the world. Sadly, the factory is now down to a three-day work-week due to declining orders.

The kazoo originated in Africa. It is a simple musical instrument consisting of a metal or plastic tube with a single covered hole that produces a buzzing sound when the player hums or sings into the mouthpiece.

On this tour, you can watch as kazoos are being made. You are encouraged to ask the staff about any stages of the manufacturing process. On site, there is also a gift shop and museum.

Official Website: www.edenkazoo.com/index.php

American Whistle Corporation (Columbus, Ohio)

Visit the only manufacturer of metal whistles left in the United States. In fact, this factory is the official supplier of whistles to the Boy Scouts of America. You’ll undoubtedly be impressed by the 30-ton press that helps the factory make over one million high-quality brass whistles every year.

As you tour the factory (which is one very large room), you will come to really understand the science behind what makes a whistle work as it does, as well as learn the important role whistles play as a safety device even in today’s high-tech society.

Official Website: https://www.americanwhistle.com/

Emerald Farm (Greenwood, South Carolina)

Here’s a factory tour where the workers are both cute and cuddly! You get to meet and pet the Saanen goats that help to produce Emerald Farm’s Goat Milk Soap.

These goats originated in Switzerland and you learn not just how the soaps are made, but all about the history and habits of these lovable creatures. If soap (or goats) are your thing, this is the tour for you.

As an added treat, you can ride the Emerald Farm Express, which is a passenger-carrying miniature train that runs around the site every Saturday, weather permitting.

Official Website: http://www.emeraldfarm.com/group-tours.html

Olive & Sinclair (Nashville, Tennessee)

Enjoy a visit here to see chocolate made in the traditional way, in a building rich in history dating back to 1890. What makes this a little different from your average chocolate factory tour is that you get to enjoy unusual concoctions made from fresh, organic ingredients such as chocolate caramels made with duck fat and super hot chili, cinnamon chocolate bars, and dark chocolate spheres called “muzzle loaders” that are filled with liquid salted bourbon caramel.

Be prepared to look a little silly, as you will have to wear the hairnet that is provided, but this is a small price to pay to sample such intriguing delights.

Official Website: https://www.oliveandsinclair.com/factory-tours/

James Leddy Boots (Abilene, Texas)

Have you ever wanted the opportunity to visit a cowboy boot factory? Well, here’s your chance to see these custom-made boots lovingly created from not just leather but also such exquisite materials such as crocodile, cayman, elephant, and ostrich.

The tour will take you through each intricate step of making the perfect cowboy boot, from molding the boot material, right through to stacking the heel as it goes on to the main body of the boot.

Only then will you start to understand the skill behind these handcrafted boots and fully appreciate why each pair of boots take over 14 hours to make.

Official Website: http://jamesleddyabilene.com/about/

Pape Pecan House (Seguin, Texas)

Visit this intriguing facility and learn all about the pecan. The pecan tree is native to the area, and such is Texas’ passion for the nut that pecan pie is the state’s official pie of choice.

An added bonus is that this tour includes a rare chance to see a collection of over 8,000 traditional and modern nutcrackers from all across the world. At the gift shop, you can buy pecan nuts in various sizes, shelled or unshelled. Also on display is the world’s largest model of a pecan!

Official Website: http://papepecan.com/website1004.htm

Rock of Ages Quarry (Graniteville, Vermont)

If you are the kind of person who likes looking down big holes, this is the place for you! This working quarry has the largest operating deep-hole granite mining operation in the world. It is also the largest producer of cemetery memorials in the USA and Canada.

Their 40-minute tour will surely impress you. It incorporates a visit to the gift shop and visitor center, along with the spectacular highlight of being able to look over the 160,000-square-foot granite carving factory from an observation platform.

Official Website: https://rockofages.com/tourism/

Route 11 Potato Chips (Mount Jackson, Virginia)

This factory produces award-winning potato chips that are hand cooked the old-fashioned kettle way, using the finest expeller-pressed high-oleic sunflower oil.

On this tour, you will be able to see the entire process that goes into the making of chips (except for the peeling). No photographs are allowed on the tour, however. (Maybe the potatoes are shy?)

Spud Masters are on hand to answer any questions you might have. You’re encouraged to sample some of their bestselling flavors like Chesapeake Crab and Yukon Gold.

Official Website: https://www.rt11.com/viewing

Pentagon (Arlington County, Washington)

It is hard to believe, but you can take a tour of the U.S. State Department’s famous Pentagon building. Though not quite a factory, it is a fully functional military administration and command center with 6.6 million square feet of floor space.

On the tour, you will see the inner workings of this important establishment, as well as the Hall of Heroes that is dedicated to the over 3,000 recipients of the Medal of Honor, the United States’ highest military award.

Please be aware that at times of heightened security, your tour could be canceled at short notice.

Official Website: https://pentagontours.osd.mil/Tours/contact.jsp

Arena Cheese (Arena River Valley, Wisconsin)

And what factory tour list would be complete without one on cheese making? You cannot miss their factory off Highway 14, as it’s the one with the happy, six-foot mouse outside. This is one of the oldest cheese-makers in Wisconsin.

They specialize in Colby-Jack cheese, which is a washed curd variety that has a distinct mild buttery flavor. And as you tour the factory, you will find out that some of their cheeses take from 1 to 10 years to mature.

A cheese and sausage gift basket can be purchased in the gift shop, along with a variety of cheeses in an assortment of flavors

Official Website: https://www.arenacheese.com/about.php

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The Importance Of Factory Visits (How It Can Save Your Amazon Business)

Michael Michelini Last Updated: June 20, 2019 Blog , Ecommerce , Logistics , Manufacturing 1 Comment

Greetings from Yiwu, China! Finally, after almost 2 years since starting the Amazon business, I will be personally making a factory visit. While I have been in Yiwu over the years, it hasn’t been since my earlier e-commerce and sourcing days that I did a factory visit in Zhejiang province.

When we started the e-commerce venture with the Global From Asia community, which has now become the Sisitano coffee accessories brand, we had a team to help with the sourcing and product development. Yet over the years, those responsibilities have come upon my own shoulders – and like we will discuss today – knowing your product and having a quality relationship with your factory will make or break your business.

So I am taking that initiative, personally, and will be the expert of the product in the Sisitano business. This is the main job of the core person running an e-commerce business. Let’s dive in more.

You Are Running a Product Based Business – Know Your Product

By being an e-commerce seller, you are doing a product business.

So it means you need to make a good product – and know your product.

Many of us try to run everything 100% from behind our laptop. That can work if you’re doing blogs and podcasts (like here at Global From Asia). But, not so well if you are actually dealing with physical goods.

Sure – there are sourcing and QC agents, third party logistics, warehouses, Amazon FBA services all there for you so you don’t need to touch the product. But you need to know your product the best out of anyone.

Not Just At The Launch of Your Product – But Ongoing As Well

Of course it is important to get physical samples of your product – and take high quality photos, test your product, understand your product  – do videos of your product. You need to do it to get started.

Yet we also need to keep that going on.

Lorenzo helped get the ball rolling – with our QC partner Ino from Insight Quality – sourcing the moka pot, getting the right factory in place, packing, photos – and more.

But we have hit some speed bumps (to say the least). The second production run, the packaging could have been done better and it created a broken handle issue (above 7% is a red flag in Amazon – we’ll have a dedicated blog post on that). Talking to the factory about the issue remotely will be very challenging. They of course, will not want to assume fault, and say that we, as the buyer, didn’t specify packaging or other specifications and it is our responsibility.

So ya, visiting the factory to resolve this issue is critical.

Plus we want to get different variations of the product, discuss other ways to grow the relationship.

And to top it off – our factory moved to a new location!

Visiting your factory just for the initial order isn’t enough, as you can see from the points above.

Working With Your Factory As a Partner – Solve Problems Together

Upon visiting the factory, we didn’t start blaming them about the packaging and broken handle issue.

We had a documented file, showing images of the handles being broken and the boxes being penetrated. Not to get angry with them, but to show them that it is a real problem that has to be solved.

Entering the product showroom, we setup the “office”. Ino opened up his laptop, mine as well. Got an extension cord, opened up notebooks, reports, previous order files, the whole nine yards.

Of course, a moka pot was used to prepare us some expressos.

The factory owner was there, as well as our sales representative. The brainstorming and discussion started. Dropping the packaging, crushing the packaging, throwing the packaging (as an angry UPS shipping agent may) – we tried to replicate the problem.

Really – it was hard – actually we couldn’t figure out it was really possible for the shipping agents to break those handles in shipment. The force needed seemed to be really strong. Possibly the stacking of many products on top of it and the long term pressure of the weight could have broken the handles?

Anyway, the point is, you need to work with your factory to solve the problem.

Plus, the showroom alone is a product developers best resource. Seeing the different products they have made, you can get an idea of new products to develop and sell.

One not as sexy tip is also to learn from the packaging designs. Packaging seems to be a critical way to differentiate yourself from others as well as have a good product listing image with unique design and images.

Maximize your time in the factory showroom. Get ideas of products and packaging. Ask how much things cost, what the MOQ (minimum order quantity) is, and more.

The Classic Factory Tour

Now, hopefully they are in production when you are visiting. Maybe not in production of your product, but of a similar product.

When we visited the moka pot factory, they were in production of, you guessed it, moka pots. Multiple floors of production, you could see the different stages your product goes through from raw material to work in progress to finished goods.

It is fascinating. To see the raw material being converted into a product.

What should you look for when doing a factory tour? Spot check the quality of the items. Look for cleanliness of the factory floor. Pray you don’t see any child labor.

A big thing to look for is their internal quality control procedures. Are they rejecting products that do not pass their own standards? This is a great sign, and will make your own third party QC process much less troublesome.

Our Own Factory Tour In Video

  We have been telling you about our experience in visiting our partner factory in Yiwu.  But we find it best that you also get to see what we saw during our visit. Check out this video:

A Hidden Benefit – Showing Them You Care, A Face To a Name

While the internet is a very powerful tool to help us create and grow businesses, nothing has yet to beat the power of an in person meeting.

If you are serious about your product for the long term, you need to know your supplier. Shake hands with them, add them on Wechat, make eye contact. And let them know you are doing this for the long term, and want to invest in the relationship for the long term.

No one wants to change a factory. You want to align each other’s interests and get on the same page.

As you leave the factory, summarize the meeting. Give them feedback, and expectations for the next production order.

Once you have your supply from China in order and are confident on your product quality, then you can really start to scale up and double down on your marketing and PPC budgets. But you are shooting yourself in the foot if you are marketing a subpar product. You want to be top quality.

Go and Do Your Own Factory Visit

Here’s hoping you find this post enlightening.  Through visits, not only will you get to see how your products are processed and packed, you actually get to build a partnership with the factory – a partnership that goes through every process from product development to packaging, warehousing and logistics.  A partnership that can last throughout your business’ lifetime.

So, go ahead, visit that factory and tell us how it goes!

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It’s a quite interesting article. I liked to visit your blog. I am appreciating you for this great article. Keep writing.

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better operations

By prof. torbjørn netland, hosting factory visits: 10 best practices.

Visiting more than 40 factories all over the world this year, I have seen both good and not-so-good practices for hosting factory visits. In this post, I share some learning points: here are ten best practices for factory tours.

#1 Provide information on the web

A visit to a factory starts before the visit. General information about the company and the tour should be accessible online. If your factory produces products with particular interest in the consumer market (for example, Harley Davidson, Haribo, Toyota, or Pilsner Urquell), a professional factory visit web page is needed. Some factory-intensive districts even offer own portals for “industrial tourism” (such as this example from York, Pennsylvania). Although most people do not care about most factories, all factories should take pride in being welcoming for a wide array of interested parties; other companies, owners, employees’ families, students, politicians and—most importantly—customers. A good start would be to provide proper instructions online for how to get to the factory.

#2 Safety first, but don’t exaggerate

Nothing really says “I care about you” more than a strong and visual focus on safety in a factory. Safety information can be handed out at the reception, together with needed safety equipment such as shoes, glasses, ear plugs, and safety vests. Some companies show a safety video (and some even require the visitors to take a written safety exam afterwards…) Use clean safety glasses for the visitors, not the ones that the operators threw away some years ago. Walking paths can be designated in the factory—at least in areas with enhanced safety risks. Some plants elevate the safety issue beyond sanity: if ear plugs are not needed, don’t enforce the use of them. When visitors barely hear what is being said, ear plugs just introduce annoyance and a new safety risk. Another advice: please, see if you can get hold of something a bit more stylish than an oversize fluorescence “visitor” vest. Nobody feels on top of the world as a huge living reflex… But again: Safety first!

#3 Start with an introduction

Help the visitor understand the plant. Nothing should be more straight forward than telling the fundamental story of the plant; when and why did it start up, how may employees work there today, what products does it produce to which markets, is it a growing or declining market, what are the prospects, why is this the best plant in the world, and why is the plant very happy to have you as a visitor. Some good plants I have visited, have made this story-telling easy by displaying it in the reception area. A general presentation of the factory should also always be available. Or like they do in Harley Davidson in York; start with a video presentation of the company and the plant. In any case; start with an introduction.

#4 Display your products

If you have good products (which of course you have), then show them. If you have complex products, show a cross-section of some of them. A transmission manufacturer I visited in Sweden displayed their transmissions cut in half with plexiglas as windows into the interior. An engine manufacturer in Japan did the same, and even colored the different channels of the engine to explain the paths for fluids and air. Vehicle manufacturers often park the coolest of their products outside. Nidar chocolate factory in Trondheim, Norway, gives the visitors unlimited access to samples of goodies directly from the line. And, unbeaten to this day, the Samuel Adams Brewery in Boston invites to free flow of freshly brewed beer after the free-of-charge old  brewery tour. Display your products.

#5 Appearance matters

Yes I know; all those Toyota-gurus and lean-fanatics run around and tell us that we have all misunderstood 5S as a “cleaning program”. “In Japan it is not neat and clean”, they tell us, “it is all about functionality”. Well, they’re wrong: Appearance matters ! In my opinion, how it looks is a proxy for how well-run the factory is. If it looks good, it probably is good. Cleanliness also means something for how attractive it is to work in the factory. It is fairly simple to “pimp my plant”: Some white painting on the walls, proper floors, and good lightening conditions help much in making the place appear much better. Some plants are extremely good in giving an unforgettable impression using tricks like this. One good example is Aarbakke AS, a Norwegian supplier to the offshore oil and gas industry located in Jæren, Norway. Aarbakke has painted the plant in its corporate colors red and white. On the shop floor there are orange trees that grows due to the heat from the machines (in Norway!). The cranes after named after local soccer heroes, and a jacuzzi and the CEO’s own Rolls Royce car are freely available for all employees. This is not just a play for the gallery: a nice plant sells more products. Appearance matters, more than many believes.

#6 Be proud and loud

Who should be proud of your plant if not you and the plant itself? Let the plant shine and tell all the visitors that this is the best place to work in the world. This point starts and ends with the employees. Nobody can be better—or worse—ambassadors for a plant. If employees are smiling and hospitable, a factory visit cannot end badly. If they are overly stressed and have no free time on their hands, the impression will never be top-notch. To get such employees requires leadership with respect for the individual. A good canteen serving healthy food can be a visual symbol of this capability. (Once I heard that “we do not even have a canteen here; the management does not take us serious”). Another simple strategy to increase the pride of the plant is to hang up huge and power-radiating product ads in the facilities. Americans are often best at this. Be more American; be proud and loud.

#7 Organize the shop-floor tour

Number seven is obvious: organize the shop-floor tour. Know where to start and where to end. Either walk up the value stream or down the value stream. I prefer down. You do not have to show the worst areas in the plant, but leaving an impression that something is purposefully hidden away, is maybe worse than seeing it all. Handing out a map of the layout and tour route, and a feedback form for the plant’s own improvement, are good practices. Also know that all employees do not like to be on display every day. That should be respected. As far as possible allow photos to be taken, but don’t turn it into a photo safari (a good alternative that I have yet to see, is to offer a set of professional photos on a CD or USB stick after the visit). If your plant turns into a real industry celebrity and a tour-pro, a good idea can be to employ retired workers as tour guides. Usually, many of them would love to help out. Even if most plants doesn’t get to that celebrity status, they can still organize the shop-floor tour properly.

#8 Display your problems

The eight practice is not that obvious: Display your problems. A plant that displays its problems also displays openness and a serious strategy to become even better. White boards with information about key performance criteria—both good and bad—shows a healthy and living management. Note that these boards should better be updated and relevant. Nothing says “I don’t give a shit” quite like management boards that are outdated, dusty, and not in use. Show your kaizen activities. Nobody is perfect. In a state-of-the-art Renault Truck factory in France, all defect products are showcased in the the middle of the factory, not hidden away in a dark and inaccessible storeroom. Show that you care to improve—by displaying your problems.

#9 Be generous

Be generous—others are. It is fully OK not to offer free snacks or coffee. But because many plants do, your plant will appear like “an uncle Scrooge of manufacturing”. If your business model is to make the absolute cheapest products with the absolute minimum amount of resources, that can be a genius strategy. In all other cases it is not. Free give-always have never hurt a company’s reputation (like beer at Samuel Adams in Boston, and chocolate souvenirs at Lindt in Zürich). A cost-benefit analysis cannot be applied to subtle gestures like this. What goes around, comes around, I would say. Be generous.

#10 Stand out

Be unique. Do something that makes the factory stand out from the crowd. How many factories are there in the world, and why should the visitor remember exactly yours? Please offer something unique to remember. It can be a small thing, like a shoe-free slippers-zone (a Japanese factory I visited) or a tea-ceremony (Saudi-Arabian plant), or huge things, like three enormous wind mills at a CO2-neutral automotive plant (a Belgian factory I visited), the futuristic BMW factory in Leipzig, or being known for being the most effective one (like Toyota in Toyota-shi or Nissan in Newcastle). Don’t be a day-fly; stand out!

Have you ever come across any other best practices for hosting factory visits? Or are there any factories that just have to be mentioned in this regard? If so, please let me know.

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have you ever visit plastic recycling factory in Asia ? can i visit them too ? actually i want to make a plastic recycling factory also, but you know. if i tell them then what will they think of me.. lol or any suggestion. im indonesian, want to make a plastic recycling factory to make my country better, at least clean the street and give some job for people, capital for start approx 200 million IDR ($ 20.000)

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• 5 Tips for Visiting Factories in China

Manufacturing and QC blog

By Crystal Ge 28 Aug 2015

By this point, you may have been talking to a couple of potential suppliers for weeks or even months now. You may have narrowed your list down to a few candidates and are starting to arrange meetings and tours of factory facilities. Meeting your supplier for the first time is a very important part of the sourcing process, especially in China. It is just as crucial a moment for the supplier as it is for you as this first meeting can make or break a business relationship.

This is the time to get a real feel for the people you might be working with in the near future. However, if you’re not prepared for your visit, you could miss out on making the most of your trip. We’re offered some tips for traveling to China in the past (see Enjoying Your Next China Trip – 5 Tips ). Here are five tips to help you fully prepare and get the most out of your China business trip.

Tip 1. Inform the factory

An important tip for visiting factories in China is effectively communicating with the supplier beforehand. Throughout all the email correspondence with your supplier or sales representative, make sure to clarify all of the following:

• Let the factory know that you are planning a trip to their facilities
• Provide your schedules to the factory
• Specify how long your stay in the country will be
• Indicate the number of people coming with you
• Ask what time would be most convenient for them

Most importantly, state the purpose of your visit to your suppliers. Emphasize what you would like to see, whether it is the factory floor or their documentation. That way they can have everything ready to go and nothing is left out in the time you are there.

Tip 2. Set up an itinerary

Try booking a hotel that is close to the factory in order to save time on the road. Let the factory know if you would like to have them pick you up from the hotel. Factories are usually a bit out of the way and can be challenging to find, even with directions in Chinese. Most factories would be happy to accommodate and help clients with transportation to and from the factory.

Tip 3. Arrange transportation in advance

When it comes to traveling from one city to another for factories, there are always plenty of options for travel. One thing to keep in mind in China is that it has the largest high-speed rail network in the world. They are known for their efficiency and reliability, unlike Chinese air travel, which is often met with delays and cancellations.

Depending on the time frame you have, a high-speed train can be a great option for trips like Shenzhen-Guangzhou which will take you less than 30 minutes from departure to arrival (see 5 Steps to Buy Tickets in China ).

Tip 4. Confirm the details

Make sure to get phone numbers and detailed addresses of your factories in both English and Chinese from your supplier. It is important to be able to reach them at a moment’s notice, in case you are unable to locate the factory or you have been delayed somewhere along the way. Nothing is more frustrating than traveling have way around the world to visit a supplier only to be lost trying to find the factory and unable to contact them.

Tip 5. Ask the right questions

And make sure to clearly lay all your expectation on the table to make sure you feel comfortable beginning a long-term business relationship with any potential suppliers with which you haven’t worked.

Visiting factories in China is a major reason for foreign travel to the country. Whether you are a veteran doing these trips countless times or a novice just coming to China for the first time, these are all things you need on your agenda to make the most of your limited time here. Preparation is the most important determinant for success.

Do you have any other tips for visiting suppliers in China? Share them in the comments below!

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S Series has a legacy of pushing the boundaries of what a smartphone can do. And with Galaxy S23 Ultra, we’re raising that bar again. Galaxy S23 Ultra is more than the next big step in mobile tech. With the highest camera resolution on a phone and stunning Night Mode powered by Nightography, you can share those big moments no matter the lighting. Plus, with the fastest Snapdragon processor yet, juggle high-intensity games, multiple apps or video calls with ease. Write, sketch, edit, create and share from anywhere with a built-in S Pen. And do all of the above on an incredibly large display built for gaming, streaming, creating and doing. Enhance your day-to-day with a device that’s anything but ordinary and share the epic with Galaxy S23 Ultra. Whether you’re having a video meeting with your team or your friends, use Google Meet to start a video chat on your Tab** and then continue the call on your phone as you head out the door. *Based on average battery life under typical usage conditions. Average expected performance based on typical use. Actual battery life depends on factors such as network, features selected, frequency of calls, and voice, data, and other application usage patterns. Results may vary. **Requires devices to have One UI 2.5 or later. Must be logged into the same Google account and Google Meet app must be activated on each device.

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What factory/farm visit in Sri lanka do you experienced tryied and enjoyed? Except tea which is obvious 😄

4 replies to this topic

Ambewella farm

Cinnamon preparation along the southern coast. However, these are not "factories" but small-scale operations run by the landowners.

Gannoruwa Agricultural Research Centre farm is popular. It's very close to the Royal Botanical Garden in Peradeniya.

Tea factory visit

Bathik factory visit

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Siemens Gamesa scraps plans to build blades for offshore wind turbines on Virginia’s coast

FILE - Two of the offshore wind turbines stand off the coast of Virginia Beach, Va., Monday, June 29, 2020. The company Siemens Gamesa said Friday Nov. 10, 2023, that it canceled plans to build blades for offshore wind turbines in coastal Virginia. It was the latest sign of struggle within the U.S.'s nascent offshore wind industry. (AP Photo/Steve Helber, File)

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NORFOLK, Va. (AP) — A European company has canceled plans to build blades for offshore wind turbines in coastal Virginia, the latest sign of struggle within the U.S.'s nascent industry.

Siemens Gamesa confirmed the cancellation in a statement Friday. The company’s proposed $200 million factory at the Port of Virginia in Portsmouth would have created more than 300 jobs and aided the state in its aspirations to become a hub for offshore wind projects as part of the nation’s efforts to tackle climate change.

The change in plans by the Spain-based firm comes at a time when inflation, raised interest rates and supply chain issues have cut into the profitability — and even the viability — of some offshore wind projects in the U.S.

For example, Danish energy developer Orsted recently scrapped two large offshore wind power projects off the coast of New Jersey, citing supply chain issues and rising interest rates.

A handful of other projects have been canceled. They include the Park City Wind project off the coast of Massachusetts. Avangrid, a subsidiary of Spanish utility company Iberdrola , and several Connecticut utilities scrapped a long-term power purchase agreement.

Siemens Gamesa said Friday that it had called off building the Virginia factory because “development milestones ... could not be met.” It did not elaborate.

The nixed plans, however, will not impact the construction of Dominion Energy’s enormous wind farm off the coast of Virginia Beach. Those turbines will come from Siemens Gamesa facilities in Europe.

Dominion said its 176-turbine project will be the largest offshore wind farm under development in the U.S.

The administration of President Joe Biden said it wants to build 30 gigawatts of offshore wind energy by 2030 — enough to power more than 10 million homes.

The main appeal of offshore wind for supporters, including environmentalists and many state governments, is that it doesn’t burn fossil fuels and thereby drive climate change. But opponents claim offshore wind is inherently unworkable without massive financial subsidies.

Robert McNab, an economist with Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia, cautioned that projects being canceled now may come back — and even expand — once inflation and corresponding interest rates fall.

He noted that offshore wind isn’t the only industry that’s been affected. The calculus has changed for various other infrastructure projects, including those within the natural gas and petroleum industries.

“I know that some people will want to hang their hats on this and say, ‘We should ignore renewable energy,’” McNab said.

But the costs of renewable energy — wind, solar, and other forms — have been declining, while becoming increasingly competitive, he said.

“At the end of the day, as the costs of generation fall ... we’ll see projects like this come back in similar or even expanded force,” McNab said.

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[Mega Trend Forum] Enabling Edge to Cloud Digital Transformation with iFactory | 2023 IIoT WPC

Advantech iFactory discussed AI's impact on manufacturing, addressing challenges and opportunities. While some see AI as a job-replacing force, the core focus is on its ability to manage complex multidimensional data. The session showcased AI and IoT driving innovation in manufacturing through practical applications, collaborations, and platforms.

Related Stories

Advantech iFactory discussed AI's impact on manufacturing, addressing challenges and opportunities. While some see AI as a job-replacing force, the core focus is on its ability to manage complex multidimensional data. The session showcased AI and IoT driving innovation in manufacturing through practical applications, collaborations, and platforms.

11/15/2023 | Video

[mega trend forum] reimagining smart manufacturing: the transformative power of generative ai | 2023 iiot wpc, exploring the future of smart manufacturing insightful panel discussion today covered topics from digital twins to ai integration, emphasizing collaborative efforts for comprehensive solutions. niklas highlighted the transformative power of an ecosystem approach, where hardware, software, and services converge to optimize factory processes..

[Mega Trend Forum] Achieving Smart Factory Transformation with iFactory Ecosystem Partners | 2023 IIoT WPC

Achieving smart factory transformation with ifactory ecosystem partners, advantech is expanding its high-tech manufacturing globally, fostering collaboration in asia, europe, and north america, and exploring diverse applications and transformative opportunities through ai and iot technologies. (ft. irev, eforel, bioenergy).

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Bpifrance partners with capgemini for the creation of a next generation digital factory.

New digital platform will take advantage of AI and data to deliver innovative solutions to French entrepreneurs and help accelerate the reduction of their carbon footprint

Paris, November 10, 2023 – Bpifrance has chosen Capgemini to create its next generation Digital Factory. Designed to accelerate innovation and the digital transformation of the French public investment bank and its customers, the Digital Factory will equip Bpifrance’s IT teams with the latest technologies, particularly in the fields of data processing and artificial intelligence (AI). The new agreement will also see Capgemini set up an eco-design program to support the bank in accelerating the reduction of its carbon footprint, over the entire lifecycle of its products and services.

The new banking information system of the French public investment bank [1] is based on a cloud-native infrastructure and will be complemented by this new program that is designed to digitalize business processes. To further enhance operational efficiency, teams of developers from Capgemini and Bpifrance will also be trained in the latest artificial intelligence technologies, particularly generative AI.

To support this transformation, an ‘Academy’ specially created for Bpifrance will be set up by Capgemini to train its Digital Factory teams, not only on new technologies but also the latest standards in eco-design and carbon footprint reduction across the entire product and service lifecycle.

“The Digital Factory marks a key stage in our transformation. We want to equip our banking information system with the very latest technologies, so that we can offer both innovative and eco-responsible solutions to tomorrow’s French industrial leaders, enabling them to accelerate their development while improving their customer experience. We share with Capgemini a common vision of innovation at the service of a sustainable economy and look forward to leading this crucial phase of our transformation with the help of its team of experts,” said Lionel Chaine, Chief Information Officer at Bpifrance.

Capgemini is supporting Bpifrance’s transformation by mobilizing a multidisciplinary team: comprising business experts, customer interface specialists, developers, data scientists and artificial intelligence specialists, architects and agile methodology specialists, as well as IT testers.

“We’re proud to work hand in hand with Bpifrance on this ambitious program aiming to both accelerate the transformation of a key player for innovation and entrepreneurship in France and deliver innovative and eco-responsible solutions to accompany its customers’ development. Our collaboration based on trust, agility, efficiency and commitment, will be a key driver for the success of this program,” comments Laurence Lamarcade-Cochet, Director of Operations, Financial Services, at Capgemini in France.

About Bpifrance

Bpifrance finances companies at every stage of their development with credit, guarantees and equity. Bpifrance supports them in their innovation and international projects and now also insures their export business through a wide range of products. Consulting, training, networking and acceleration programs for start-ups, SMEs and mid-sized companies are some of the other services it offers to entrepreneurs. Thanks to Bpifrance and its 50 regional offices, entrepreneurs have a single local contact to help them through the challenges they face.

For more information, visit www.bpifrance.fr – Follow us on Twitter: @Bpifrance – @BpifrancePresse

About Capgemini

Capgemini is a global leader in partnering with companies to transform and manage their business by harnessing the power of technology. The Group is guided every day by its purpose of unleashing human energy through technology for an inclusive and sustainable future. It is a responsible and diverse organization of nearly 350,000 team members in more than 50 countries. With its strong 55-year heritage and deep industry expertise, Capgemini is trusted by its clients to address the entire breadth of their business needs, from strategy and design to operations, fueled by the fast evolving and innovative world of cloud, data, AI, connectivity, software, digital engineering, and platforms. The Group reported in 2022 global revenues of €22 billion.

Get The Future You Want |  www.capgemini.com

[1] BpiFrance’s mission is to finance and develop French companies in France and abroad. This mission has four main focuses: supporting the industrial leaders of tomorrow (including the emergence of 10 disruptive innovation unicorns by 2025 and 100 industrial sites per year by 2030), energizing innovation ecosystems throughout France, accelerating the ecological and energy transition of companies and regions, and conquering the international market via export support programs.

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Kuehne+nagel and capgemini agree to join forces to deliver an end-to-end supply chain capability, capgemini collaborates with leading experts from the technical university of munich to integrate ai in sustainable battery design for electric mobility, capgemini and salesforce collaborate to enable a new era of generative ai powered customer experiences.

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Piyush Goyal tours Tesla factory in US; Elon Musk says sorry for his absence

Piyush Goyal visited Tesla's factory in California, however, the expected meeting with CEO Elon Musk did not take place.

Union commerce minister Piyush Goyal visited Tesla’s California manufacturing factory on Tuesday. However, the much anticipated meet between Goyal and electric vehicle maker’s chief Elon Musk didn’t happen.

“Extremely delighted to see talented Indian engineers & finance professionals working at Senior positions and contributing to Tesla’s remarkable journey to transform mobility,” Goyal wrote on X after visiting the Tesla’s manufacturing facility at Fremont, California.

The minister lauded “growing importance of Auto component suppliers from India in the Tesla EV supply chain”.

“It is on its way to double its components imports from India,” he wrote.

Piyush Goyal is in San Francisco to attend the ministerial engagements of Indo-Pacific Economic Framework and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation.

Tesla’s Chief Executive Officer Musk was likely to meet Goyal to discuss the company’s plans to set up a factory in India. .

“Missed Elon Musk’s magnetic presence and I wish him a speedy recovery,” Goyal wrote.

“It was an honor to have you visit Tesla! My apologies for not being able to travel to California today, but I look forward to meeting at a future date,” Billionaire Musk replied to the post.

The government is planning to offer tax cuts on the imports of completely-built units of EVs, for a period of up to five years. It is seen as an attempt to woo likes of Tesla Inc. to sell and eventually make its cars in the country, where EV market is still in nascent stage.

Also read: Govt weighs five-year tax cuts on EV imports to woo Elon Musk’s Tesla

Of the total passenger vehicles sales done last year, EVs accounted for less than 1.5 per cent, according to BloombergNEF. The high cost of cars, a lack of options and need for development of charging stations pose as hindrances for world’s most populated country’s shift to cleaner energy.

Follow the latest breaking news and developments from India and around the world with Hindustan Times' newsdesk. From politics and policies to the economy and the environment, from local issues to national events and global affairs, we've got you covered. ...view detail

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Piyush Goyal misses Elon Musk's ‘magnetic presence’ during Tesla Fremont factory visit says ‘I wish him…’

Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal visited Tesla's manufacturing facility in California and praised the company's journey. He highlighted India's role in supplying auto components to Tesla's EV supply chain.

Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal on Tuesday visited Elon Musk 's Tesla manufacturing facility in Fremont, California, where he heaped praise on the electric vehicle company and highlighted India's role in contributing to Tesla's remarkable journey.

The Union Minister is currently on a four-day visit to the US, which began on 13 November, to attend the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) Ministerial Meeting and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit.

Goyal wrote about his visit to Tesla 's Fremont factory on X, noting that the "state-of-the-art" manufacturing facility also employs many talented Indian engineers and financial professionals. He also highlighted the role played by Indian-sourced auto components in the Tesla EV supply chain.

In his X post, Goyal wrote: “Visited @Tesla ’s state of the art manufacturing facility at Fremont, California. Extremely delighted to see talented Indian engineers & finance professionals working at Senior positions and contributing to Tesla’s remarkable journey to transform mobility."

“Also proud to see the growing importance of Auto component suppliers from India in the Tesla EV supply chain. It is on its way to double its components imports from India. Missed Mr @ElonMusk’s magnetic presence and I wish him a speedy recovery."

Tesla EV in India soon?

Piyush Goyal's visit is being seen as a sign that the Indian government may have finally agreed to grant Tesla tax concessions for the electric car maker to set up a factory in India.

A recent report in the Financial Times noted that the Indian government is considering reducing the duty on electric vehicles to 15% across the board. However, the report notes that the policy hasn't yet been agreed within the government.

According to the Financial Times, Tesla has asked for an initial concession on customs duty levied on imported cars in India. All completely built-up (CBU) vehicles priced below $40,000 now face a 70% import duty, while those priced above $40,000 invite a 100% import duty.

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