Not Your Grandfather’s Manufacturing

The rebirth of makers in America is gaining momentum.

Subscriber: Log Out

We walked into Evolve Manufacturing Technologies in Silicon Valley on Manufacturing Day and found a modern, spotless facility, full of natural light from walls of glass windows. Led by President and CEO, Noreen King, we toured the assembly areas, saw the clean rooms and learned about the products made by this high-tech contract manufacturer.

This is not your grandfather's factory environment.

Evolve's and other manufacturing environments are more likely to be fully automated with complex machine tools, 3D printers and robotics. As many women as men work there, including engineers, supply chain and executive management. It's startling to see such a place and change our thinking about manufacturing.

National Manufacturing Day (MFG DAY) was Friday, Oct 2. Businesses across America opened their doors, explained their operations and conducted tours of manufacturing sites. MFG DAY is a relatively new industry day, started about 3 years ago to address common misperceptions about manufacturing.

Manufacturers had an opportunity to open their doors and show, in a coordinated effort, what manufacturing is — and what it isn't. Tours were open to the general public and to schools so manufacturers could take charge of the public image of manufacturing, and ensure the ongoing prosperity of the whole industry.

This is such an important day.

Revitalizing manufacturing in the US is key to strengthening our economy and to rebuilding the middle class in America. Across the country, we see a renaissance in making things and a renewed interest in manufacturing as a career choice.

But we are not going back to our grandfather's manufacturing. What is coming back and creating so much renewed interest is sophisticated, advanced manufacturing that is no longer dirty, smelly, dark and dangerous. In fact, most manufacturing jobs now require some cross-over between skilled labor and engineering. Most involve the use of computers to process testing and move raw materials along.

We need to see this and then change the way we talk about manufacturing to our kids. The rebirth of makers in America is gaining momentum. Manufacturing is sexy again.

SC
MR

Latest Resources
2024 NexGen Solutions Research Brief
Learn the strategies, processes and technologies top supply chain organizations are evaluating for adoption.
Download

About the Author

Rosemary Coates, Exec. Dir. Reshoring Institute
Rosemary Coates's Bio Photo

Ms. Coates is the Executive Director of the Reshoring Institute and the President of Blue Silk Consulting, a Global Supply Chain consulting firm. She is a best-selling author of five supply chain management books including: 42 Rules for Sourcing and Manufacturing in China and Legal Blacksmith - How to Avoid and Defend Supply Chain Disputes. Ms. Coates lives in Silicon Valley and has worked with over 80 clients worldwide. She is also an Expert Witness for legal cases involving global supply chain matters. She is passionate about Reshoring.

View Rosemary's author profile.

Subscribe

Supply Chain Management Review delivers the best industry content.
Subscribe today and get full access to all of Supply Chain Management Review’s exclusive content, email newsletters, premium resources and in-depth, comprehensive feature articles written by the industry's top experts on the subjects that matter most to supply chain professionals.
×

Search

Search

Sourcing & Procurement

Inventory Management Risk Management Global Trade Ports & Shipping

Business Management

Supply Chain TMS WMS 3PL Government & Regulation Sustainability Finance

Software & Technology

Artificial Intelligence Automation Cloud IoT Robotics Software

The Academy

Executive Education Associations Institutions Universities & Colleges

Resources

Podcasts Webcasts Companies Visionaries White Papers Special Reports Premiums Magazine Archive

Subscribe

SCMR Magazine Newsletters Magazine Archives Customer Service

Press Releases

Press Releases Submit Press Release