Committed to
Community

Hennepin Technical College

Unity Precision Manufacturing is proud to partner with Hennepin Technical College. Quality technical education is essential for keeping the manufacturing industry alive and at the forefront of technology.

We have donated over $250,000 worth of materials for student classes and welding projects. Mike Van Essen also serves on their machine trades advisory board, where he advises instructors and helps them navigate program changes by providing insights into the current manufacturing industry. His guidance helps students enter the manufacturing workforce better prepared.

Learn more about Hennepin Technical College at www.hennepintech.edu.

Rockford High School

Unity Precision Manufacturing has donated equipment and other materials to Rockford High School to introduce students to the manufacturing industry.

Learn more about Rockford High School at rhs.rockford.k12.mn.us.

Live to Give

Live to Give is an annual event in Minnesota that raises money and awareness for various charitable causes chosen by each contestant. Contestants raise funds for their selected charities and can earn advantages during the game to increase their contributions. Episodes are then edited and released on YouTube.

Unity Precision Manufacturing proudly sponsors this event, and one employee provides camera work support. In 2021, our very own Ryan Van Essen participated in Live to Give, raising over $6,000 for the Minnesota Milk Bank for Babies.

To learn more about Live to Give and find out how you can get involved, visit www.livetogivemn.org.

Minnesota Milk Bank for Babies

Diane and Emily Van Essen, the wife and daughter of Unity Precision Manufacturing’s Mike Van Essen, are among the original founders and board members of the Minnesota Milk Bank for Babies. This non-profit organization aims to improve infant health outcomes by providing medically vulnerable babies with access to safely pasteurized donor milk when mother’s milk is unavailable or in low supply.

Unity Precision Manufacturing has generously donated to the Minnesota Milk Bank for Babies, supporting their mission to ensure that every baby has access to life-giving human donor milk.

The Minnesota Milk Bank for Babies is affiliated with the Human Milk Banking Association of North America (HMBANA).

Learn more about the organization at www.mnmilkbank.org.

Princeton Speedway

Unity Precision Manufacturing has been a proud sponsor of the Princeton Speedway for many years. We are thrilled to support Erik Gruhlke’s WISSOTA Midwest Mods race car, #47, from Zimmerman, Minnesota. Go, Erik!

Learn more about Princeton Speedway at www.princetonspeedway.com.

Rapids Archery Club

Mike Van Essen and several other Unity employees are members of the Rapids Archery Club in Andover, MN, the largest archery club in Minnesota. As dedicated members, the Unity team gladly offers services and labor whenever the club needs help.

Learn more about the Rapids Archery Club at www.rapidsarchery.net.

Stratasys COVID-19 Coalition

As an “Honor Roll” member of the Stratasys COVID-19 Coalition, Unity Precision Manufacturing joined a group of organizations to address the needs of healthcare providers during the COVID-19 pandemic. We focused on producing face shields using 3D printing technology.

Unity Precision Manufacturing was honored to receive a Face Shield Plaque in recognition of our efforts in helping produce over 100,000 face shields for healthcare heroes on the front lines.

Learn more about the Stratasys COVID-19 Coalition at www.stratasys.com/covid-19.

Can Do Canines

Anyone who has visited our shop and met our beloved golden retrievers and knows that the Unity team shares a love of dogs. We eagerly embraced the opportunity to get involved with Can Do Canines.

Unity Precision Manufacturing is a proud partner of Can Do Canines, the largest non-profit assistance dog training organization in Minnesota. They provide specially trained dogs to people with disabilities such as Type I Diabetes, mobility challenges, seizure disorders, hearing loss, and childhood autism, free of charge. The Unity team donates to support this cause.

Learn more about Can Do Canines at www.can-do-canines.org.

Pedal the Pacific

Unity Precision Manufacturing’s founders Ron and Irene Van Essen sponsored their granddaughter, Christina Van Essen, in Pedal the Pacific. This annual 1,700-mile bike ride from Seattle to San Diego raises awareness about the injustices of domestic sex trafficking.

Pedal the Pacific is dedicated to raising advocates who believe that no voice is too small to make a difference. Christina rode and raised funds to support the Refuge Ranch in Austin, Texas, a place of healing and restoration for sex trafficking survivors.

Learn more at www.pedalthepacific.org.