Microjig to donate safety devices to every school woodshop in the U.S.
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 ORLANDO, Fla.  - Microjig says it will donate two of its best-selling Grr-Rippers to every public high school woodworking program in the country through its new school donation program.
 
America is currently facing an unprecedented shortage of skilled laborers, from carpenters and masons to plumbers and electricians. Even so, high schools across the country have backed off technical classes, in part because of safety concerns running saws and other equipment. 
 
At the International Woodworking Fair (IWF) in Atlanta, the company unveiled its school donation program with the goal of putting two of its best-selling Grr-Rippers on every table saw in every woodshop program in the country by 2020.
 
"Microjig is built on the idea that there is a safer, smarter way for people to work with their hands and build their dreams," said CEO Bruce Wang. "It's our goal to end table saw injuries by 2020. We see this new donation program as an essential step toward that, arming the next generation of craftspeople and skilled trade professionals with the tools to empower them to succeed at their passions."
 
As part of the new program, Microjig hopes to donate to the 2,714 public high schools with Career Technical Education (CTE) programs that offer construction and woodworking courses.
 
The Grr-Ripper is Microjig's original product, developed 15 years ago in an Orlando, Florida, garage by woodworker Henry Wang. It is meant to replace traditional pushsticks with a new generation of woodworking technology. Unlike pushsticks, which leave exposed hands and can lead to dangerous kickback, the Grr-Ripper provides precision, safety, and control for users while working with a table saw.
 
Each Grr-Ripper retails for $59, so with this donation program, Microjig aims to donate more than $325,000 to public schools across the country.
 
Schools will be able to apply on Microjig's website. As part of the program, Microjig will also offer 50 percent off for all public schools interested in adding other Microjig products or additional GRR-RIPPERS.
 
In addition to the Grr-Ripper, Microjig says it will donate two of its best-selling Grr-Rippers to every public high school woodworking program in the country through its new school donation program offers seven distinct product lines to provide woodworkers with innovative solutions so they can build their dreams. The company is on a mission to end all table saw injuries by 2020.
 
Microjig has been developing table saw accessories for the woodworking industry for more than 15 years. The company says it aims to make it safer and more intuitive for people to succeed at their passions and build their dreams. Started in 2001 in an Orlando, Florida, garage by Henry Wang, a woodworking hobbyist who knew there had to be a better, safer way to complete his projects, the company now has seven distinct product lines. The original Grr-Ripper and some of Microjig's other products are No. 1 sellers on Amazon.   www.microjig.com. 
 
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About the author
Bill Esler | ConfSenior Editor

Bill wrote for WoodworkingNetwork.com, FDMC and Closets & Organized Storage magazines. 

Bill's background includes more than 10 years in print manufacturing management, followed by more than 30 years in business reporting on industrial manufacturing in the forest products industries, including printing and packaging at American Printer (Features Editor) and Graphic Arts Monthly (Editor in Chief) magazines; and in secondary wood manufacturing for WoodworkingNetwork.com.

Bill was deeply involved with the launches of the Woodworking Network Leadership Forum, and the 40 Under 40 Awards programs. He currently reports on technology and business trends and develops conference programs.

In addition to his work as a journalist, Bill supports efforts to expand and improve educational opportunities in the manufacturing sectors, including 10 years on the Print & Graphics Scholarship Foundation; six years with the U.S. WoodLinks; and currently on the Woodwork Career Alliance Education Committee. He is also supports the Greater West Town Training Partnership Woodworking Program, which has trained more than 950 adults for industrial wood manufacturing careers. 

Bill volunteers for Foinse Research Station, a biological field station staddling the border of Ireland and Northern Ireland, one of more than 200 members of the Organization of Biological Field Stations.