Manufacturing History Is Women’s History: Building the Future at Switlik
Women have always shaped the world of manufacturing through designing, building, innovating, or leading. This Women’s History Month, we celebrate not only the pioneers who paved the way, but also the women who continue to push the industry forward today. At Switlik, women’s history isn’t a chapter in the past; it’s an ongoing story of innovation, resilience, and leadership.
A Legacy of Women Who Lead
From early aviation trailblazers like Amelia Earhart to today’s manufacturing leaders, women have played a critical role in advancing safety, engineering, and exploration. At Switlik, we are proud to carry that legacy forward.
Women began joining our workforce in large numbers during World War II, when demand for our products doubled. What began as a response to a pivotal moment in history became a lasting foundation of our company. Since then, women have remained an integral part of Switlik’s evolution; shaping not only the products we build but also the culture we foster, one rooted in curiosity, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
Many aspects of how we operate today can be traced back to that era. For instance, our workday runs from 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., a schedule originally designed to support working mothers who needed flexibility to balance family responsibilities. Decades later, that schedule remains unchanged, continuing to support a healthy work‑life balance for our workforce.
At Switlik, women representing a majority of our workforce is not a recent shift or a response to industry trends, it has been part of who we are for generations.
Driving Innovation in Modern Manufacturing
Manufacturing goes beyond production. It is a dynamic, creative, and highly collaborative field where innovation thrives and new ideas are welcome. The work demands problem‑solving, resilience, and forward‑thinking approaches.
As a family‑owned company, Switlik has been passed down through generations. While leadership historically moved from father to son, that changed with the appointment of Sarah Switlik as President of Switlik Survival Products. Sarah is the fourth‑generation leader and the first female President in the company’s history. Under her leadership, Switlik continues to evolve by introducing new technologies and reimagining how products serve customers in real‑world conditions. We focus on making products that solve specific problems in every market we serve.
One example is the advancement and integration of Si-Tech Seals and the implementation of a user-focused custom dry suit configurator. These innovations are designed to make maintenance faster, easier, and more efficient.
Traditionally, drysuit repairs required sending equipment back for servicing, resulting in costly downtime and operational delays. Si-Tech Seals change that model entirely, allowing users to perform seal replacements themselves. The result is reduced downtime, lower repair costs, and greater operational readiness. 
This approach reflects a broader mindset: bringing practical, forward-looking solutions to market while continuously improving the customer experience. It is innovation not for the sake of change, but for meaningful impact.
Why Manufacturing Matters for the Upcoming Generation of Women
The manufacturing industry offers an engaging and rewarding career path, blending creativity, technology, engineering, and teamwork. It is a space where ideas become real-world solutions and where diverse experiences and intersectional perspectives drive better outcomes. As the industry evolves, the need for new voices has never been greater.
At Switlik, we believe in empowering the next generation of female innovators, builders, and leaders. That commitment is reflected in our workforce today: 66% of our total team, and 72% of our production supervisory team are women. We create opportunities, foster mentorship, and champion the achievements of women across the industry because representation isn’t just a goal here, it’s our reality.
Shaping the Future Together
As leaders and insiders in the industry, we all share a responsibility to help shape a more inclusive and innovative future.
This Women’s History Month, we encourage you to:
-
Engage with your community and support women pursuing careers in manufacturing
-
Prioritize mentorship and knowledge-sharing
-
Celebrate achievements, big and small, to inspire the next generation
By lifting each other up and continuing to innovate, we can ensure women are not only part of the future of manufacturing, but that they also lead it.
