Issue link: http://www.insightdigital.biz/i/104912
PLANT|NEWS Manufacturing Vitality Index shows positive trends T he third annual NEW Manufacturing Alliance���s Northeast Wisconsin Manufacturing Vitality Index, released at the New North Summit in Appleton on Dec. 7, showed that manufacturers in the region are largely positive about the coming year but still face challenges such as finding skilled workers. The survey, conducted by the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh���s Business Success Center, focused on manufacturers��� plans for 2013. ���Manufacturing, which accounts for 23 percent of the region���s employment base, continues as a bright spot in the discussion of the region���s economic recovery and future,��� according to the index. The survey has been conducted for the past three years and focused on employers with 25 or more employees and $3 million or more in annual revenue. Of the 156 responding manufacturers, 36 percent plan to hire new employees throughout each quarter. However, nearly half of employers expect they���ll have a hard time locating qualified talent locally. Employers are seeking not only technically qualified workers but those who have ���soft skills,��� such as good communication skills, work ethic, attendance, following directions and teamwork. Other key findings of the report: �� Within the next year or two, 46 Marine Manufacturing Alliance hosts trade show The North Coast Marine Manufacturing Alliance held its first Associate Member Vendor Expo on Nov. 9 at Northeast Wisconsin Technical College in Green Bay, with the goal of introducing a new kind of trade show. The event had traditional booths 28 | Insight on Manufacturing ��� Financial Health & Business Growth Financial Health of Northeast Wisconsin Manufacturers 2013 Finances 2012 Finances 2011 Finances 3% 0% 5% 1% 7% 1% 68% 59% 70% 29% 35% 22% Quite healthy Healthy Unhealthy Very unhealthy �� 97% of respondents said their business was either quite healthy or healthy. Business Growth 2012 Actual sales 2013 Projected Sales 2013 Customers 2013 Marketshare 62% 68% 60% 68% Increase �� Over half of manufacturers expect increased sales in 2013. �� 60% expect to add customers in 2013. 24% 25% 37% 31% Stay the same 14% 7% 3% 2% Decrease Some percentages have been rounded up so totals may exceed 100 percent. Skills Shortage Difficulty Finding Talent Dif���cult in 2013 Dif���cult in 2012 Dif���cult in 2011 4% 1% 4% 46% 45% 29% 50% 54% 67% No Yes Don���t know �� Approximately 1 out of 2 companies will experience dif���culty ���nding local talent in 2013. �� The skills shortage has increased from 29% in 2011 to 46% in 2013. percent plan to modernize their plants. Twenty-three percent plan to expand. �� Ninety-seven percent of employers said their financial health was either healthy or quite healthy. �� Sixty-eight percent expect sales to increase this year. �� Most unfilled positions require some post-secondary education, with CNC machinists, engineers, millwrights, sheet metal workers, electricians, welders and machine operators in high demand. Recommendations include advocating for manufacturing as a career through building partnerships with schools, community leaders and other manufacturers. ���More must be done to both interest potential employees in manufacturing careers and prepare them for roles in this high-tech industry,��� the report said. ���If the industry is successful in accomplishing this, the long-term future of manufacturing in Northeast Wisconsin seems secure.��� F throughout the exhibit area, but each booth included a table and chairs for one-on-one conversations between the marine builders and suppliers. Each associate member of the alliance was assigned up to 30 minutes to meet with one of the seven ship/yacht/boat builders who attended the event. By the end of the day, suppliers had met with all of the marine builders. The event was modeled after a supplier event that Marquis Yachts of Pulaski attended in Italy. Prior to the Italian show, participants completed questionnaires about products and services, and marine builders were given the information. This activity was replicated at the Associate Member Vendor Expo. Since the marine builders knew who was attending January 2013 w w w.in s i g h t o n m f g .c o m