Host of “John Ratzenberger’s Made in America” and former “Cheers” star John Ratzenberger talks about the past, present and future of manufacturing in America for the Fabricators & Manufacturers Association International (FMA) on the “Better Process” show, a free podcast focusing on manufacturing and industry.

Ratzenberger, a long-time proponent for introducing young people to the exciting career opportunities in manufacturing, states that the future of the industry in this country is in our youth.

“Organizations such as the FMA Foundation and the Nuts, Bolts and Thingamajigs Foundation, an organization I co-founded, aim to encourage youth to consider manufacturing as a career option,” he said.

“It’s a national hunger right now for our youth to get ‘hands on’ and actually create something. These organizations fund camps that allow kids to create something they can build and actually feel good about making.”

Ratzenberger also discusses Palmiter’s new role as the face of youth manufacturing for the FMA, an announcement that was made at a press conference at the recent Metal Matters 2008 executive summit in Orlando. The FMA and its publication Practical Welding Today will sponsor 16-year-old Palmiter, a Livingood Motorsports race car driver from Ormond Beach, FL, for the 2008 racing season in one initiative to accelerate the association’s outreach efforts to students and encourage young people to consider careers in manufacturing.

Ratzenberger’s full podcast interview can be heard at www.podcasternews.com/bpp/4985/industry-report-john-ratzenberger-fma-foundation/