Manufacture Smarter Blog

8/18/2017 - BY: SHELLY STOBIERSKI
Knowledge is power, and it’s truer today than ever before. Simply consider our rapidly-evolving manufacturing environment. Revolutionary new technologies in 3D printing have emerged—shortening the amount of time it takes to develop new products. The Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) has brought more intelligence to manufacturing operations and is enabling manufacturers to improve production processes at an impressive pace.

4/14/2017 - BY: RUSS MASON
With its aging demographic, the U.S. manufacturing sector will have more than three million jobs available by 2025. According to Forbes, millennials are projected to make up 50% of the U.S. workforce by 2020. However, nearly two million of these positions will go unfilled—due to the existing skills gap and the prevailing perception about manufacturing careers.

12/16/2016 - THE CENTER
As 2016 comes to an end, companies within the U.S. manufacturing sector remain optimistic about new opportunities for growth and innovation in the upcoming year, even as competition from overseas continues to increase. Perhaps the most pressing issue facing the industry in 2017, and beyond, is educating and training the next generation of manufacturers.

12/1/2016 - THE CENTER
According to a recent report by Deloitte, the United States is expected to take over the number one position as the most competitive manufacturing nation from China by the end of the year—with Germany holding steady at number three. The United States continues to improve its ranking as technological innovation sweeps across the manufacturing landscape and new opportunities continue to arise.

7/8/2016 - THE CENTER
For years, the retirement of the baby boom generation has been a large topic of discussion and a looming economic threat. Now, that dreaded time is upon us. Baby Boomers, those born between 1946 and 1964, are retiring in droves – to the tune of about 10,000 a day!  

5/27/2016 - THE CENTER
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported there were 12,293,000 employees holding manufacturing jobs, accounting for nine percent of the workforce in the United States in March 2016. These employees earn an average hourly wage of $25.72, equivalent to more than $50,000, not including benefits or overtime pay.

1/29/2016 - THE CENTER
As governmental and consumer demand for decreased emissions, higher sustainability, lower carbon footprint and greater fuel economy increases, the growing trend for original equipment manufacturers (OEM) to adopt new materials is impacting manufacturing at all tier levels.

4/17/2015 - THE CENTER
It is a critical time for American, specifically Michigan, manufacturers. With a feeling of cautious optimism, manufacturers are experiencing upticks and improvements in business, yet they are still working harder to set a stronger foundation for growth. Indicators are pointing to a manufacturing comeback.

1/9/2015 - THE CENTER
The New Year has officially rung in, and with it, comes a time for contemplation. For Michigan’s manufacturers, 2015 is an opportunity to start with a blank slate. Yes, it’s time to begin anew. More than that, it’s time to make a comeback. So what do we mean by that?

12/31/2014 - THE CENTER
Manufacturing has been in the news frequently in the last few months and 2014 has seen intense scrutiny and support for the industry. The Manufacturing Innovation blog posted a Retrospective on U.S. Manufacturing today that highlighted key trends for this year.