New Manufacturing Skills in Focus

We’ve commented here about the ‘skills shortage’ facing manufacturers, always highlighting the solutions being taken on by schools and companies here in the Midwest.

Now here’s an excellent article from the Wausau Herald on the steps being taken at Wisconsin companies and Tech Schools to very literally create a new generation of skilled workers.

And check out the terrific video, too

3-D Printing in Manufacturing

One of the hottest ‘new innovation’ topics in manufacturing surrounds the process of '3-D Printing.’ The name can be misleading…it’s more a process of building than printing….but the process is both adding and changing steps in manufacturing.

With 3-D Printing, a design is scanned, along with all dimensions. Then the printer gradually deposits fine layers of material, like plastic, carbon or metal, and builds a physical object.

The finished product can be as hard or as flexible as you want the printer to make it, and even include moving parts rather than being a solid block.

Applications run from creating instant molds to short run production. But it’s greatest use will likely be in the creative process. If you can think it...now you can make it.

You can read more about 3-D Printing here

Wisconsin Leads the Way

Area Development magazine is considered the leading executive magazine covering corporate site selection, relocation and facility planning. Editorial coverage provides valuable information pertinent to the factors, key issues, and criteria that affect a successful decision. Published bi-monthly and has more than 45,000 executive subscribers. ….examining the planning of economic development at the federal, state, locally and globally.

The April issue takes an interesting look at manufacturing in the 50 states, and features a graphic look at manufacturing trends. Fo example, the top ten states leading the US Manufacturing resurgence are: 1: Indiana 16.7% 2: Wisconsin 16.3% 3: Iowa 14.5% 4: Arkansas 13.3% 5: Michigan 13.2% 6: Alabama 13.1% 6T: Ohio 12.7% 8: Mississippi 12.5% 9: Kansas 12.3% 10: South Carolina 12.0%

They go on to say: "Manufacturing is the backbone of America. It’s in our blood. Americans know how to build — it’s how we forged a nation, won two world wars, put men on the moon, and shaped the “new economy.” American workers are among the most productive in the world. With new advances in technology, lean manufacturing techniques, and best practices, American manufacturing is becoming cost-competitive with offshore locations, resulting in more companies bringing their operations back to the United States (or near-shoring to Mexico)."

See more of the graphics and read the full article here

Manufacturing News in an Instant

The latest news on manufacturing, here and around the world, can be instant accessed via WMEP (The Wisconsin Manufacturing Extension Partnership) via Twitter.

Sign up to follow them at https://twitter.com/WMEP_News

MORE GOOD MANUFACTURING NEWS

Here’s one more look into the proverbial 2013 Crystal Ball on what to expect from the economy, business-wise.

In a 1st quarter survey of small and mid-sized manufacturers, predictions and plans were all good, if not solid in their predictions of steady growth for the balance of the year. Prime Advantage buying consortium releases their Group Outlook Survey twice a year, and their newest findings include:

68% expect revenue increases,

87% expect capital expenditures to grow or stay constant,

43% plan to hire more workers

The cost of raw materials is a big concern, named the top cost pressure among 90% of respondents.

Read a complete summary of the Group Outlook Survey here

HIGH SCHOOLERS DISCUSS MANUFACTURING

This 2-minute video will give you a student’s eye view of the future of manufacturing. Of course, early perceptions don’t always hang on as those same students sample more and more of what the working world has to offer (including the incredible opportunities in manufacturing). But it’s definitely worth a look. They offer some interesting insight.

As reported by Jeff Engle in the Milwaukee Business Journal,many manufacturers agree that manufacturing has an image issue, and needs to reach out to young people to get them interested in the industry. As reported by Jeff Engle in the Business Journal, Waukesha County Business Alliance has set its sights on high school students with its Schools2Skills program, which shows them it isn’t your grandpa’s “dumb, dirty and dangerous” business. Click the video above. Plus, you can read the complete article here

SKILLS A HOT TOPIC AT MANUFACTURING MATTERS

While there are more things facing manufacturing than the ‘skills gap,’ it has been the hot topic this winter, and it was also front and center at the Manufacturing Matters Conference, put on by the Wisconsin Manufacturing Extension Partnership.

In his follow up story, WMEP’s Rich Rovito reports on coverage given to the topic by Dan Ariens of Ariens Co, and Jeff Clark of Waukesha Metal Products and others. During a lively, no-holds-barred session, they discussed specific strategies each company is using to address the problem.

The full article, “Manufacturing Leaders Emphasize the Reality of the Skills Gap” is a great read. Check it out here