U.S. factory production highest in 14 years, even as interest rates rise : NPR

While I am under no illusion that manufacturing in the United States will ever return to previous levels, it is good to see articles like the one below.  There will always be a place for domestic manufacturing companies that are both nimble and innovative.

Factories have added 467,000 jobs in the last 12 months, as production jumped to its highest level since 2008. But manufacturing remains a much smaller slice of the U.S. economy than it used to be.

Source: U.S. factory production highest in 14 years, even as interest rates rise : NPR

Rindge Leaphart

Dyed in the Wool | Brown Alumni Magazine

Long read, but great story about manufacturing and perseverance.

Jennifer Knight ’89 has returned manufacturing jobs to an American town.

Source: Dyed in the Wool | Brown Alumni Magazine

How Do You Make a Good Paper Straw? – Eater

A brief, but good article that covers many key points in running a business including:

• Capital expansion
• Employee training
• Managing customer expectations
• Environmental impact
• Competition

Enjoy!

The public image of a soggy, disintegrating paper straw is inaccurate, says maker of paper straws

Source: How Do You Make a Good Paper Straw? – Eater

Has the Death of American Manufacturing Been Exaggerated? – The Atlantic

Not the most in-depth article, but not click bait either.  Yes, the death of American manufacturing has been exaggerated.  Clearly there have been significant losses in the manufacturing segment.  However, there are still  many bright spots.

The sector has shrunk, but it remains a significant part of the economy.

Source: Has the Death of American Manufacturing Been Exaggerated? – The Atlantic

As usual, I hope everyone enjoys the article.

Rindge Leaphart

Manufacturing is dead. Long live manufacturing.

Not the longest article, so take the time and give it a read.  While focused on manufacturing in the state of Indiana, the article points out that while low cost manufacturing has moved overseas, there continues to be a need in the US for companies engaged in manufacturing.  Especially those who can get product to market quickly and handle high tolerance manufacturing within highly regulated markets.  I hope everyone enjoys.

 

Source: Manufacturing in America – The Atlantic

Regards,

Rindge Leaphart

http://www.linkedin.com/in/rindgeleaphart
https://rindgeleaphart.wordpress.com/

Walmart’s ‘Made in USA’ push exposes strains of manufacturing rebirth | Reuters

Walmart’s ‘Made in USA’ push exposes strains of manufacturing rebirth | Reuters.

Several months ago, I shared an article on Walmart’s push to re-ignite manufacturing in the US.  I’m glad to see the continued push in this area.  Per the article, it is interesting to note that one of the biggest issues facing manufacturers is the lack of local component suppliers.  It seems as if many component suppliers were driven out of business or moved overseas.  I’m looking forward to the results that come out of the latest Walmart confab on said subject.  Along those lines, I am in the midst of reading a book by the name of Factory Man – very good book that provides a decent overview of how (and why) U.S. furniture makers moved a majority of their manufacturing overseas.

 Rindge Leaphart

 

http://www.linkedin.com/in/rindgeleaphart
https://rindgeleaphart.wordpress.com/