The Return of Manufacturing

While manufacturing jobs are still disappearing, US companies keep on producing. “American factories continue to churn out hundreds of billions of dollars worth of goods annually – everything from Ford trucks and Boeing airplanes to Gordon & Smith surfboards and Viking appliances.” (msnbc.com)

US manufacturing has been changing over the years focusing more on items that require fewer workers to produce them, and provide a much greater value. Even the lower cost items that are produced here are usually done so with less people and more automated machines.

The article on msnbc.com makes a good point, in that most people do think of American manufacturing as large companies such as Caterpillar, General Motors, and Boeing. However, there are many smaller businesses making items that support these companies by providing specialized parts and services.

In order for these smaller companies to remain competitive, it’s also important that the parts they produce and the services they provide are top-notch. Quality control and assurance procedures are an important part of this.

As we all continue to watch as the economy starts to slowly recover, we are reminded that having efficient business practices and lean manufacturing processes can help prepare us for the future – as we can never be sure what it will bring.