Reshoring won’t happen. Not for manufacturing.
Skilled labor is dying off. None of the investment will come in time. And Gen Z just wants to be influencers.
At least that’s the common refrain of the mainstream press.
So why would I talk about this on a podcast?
Let’s say the reports of manufacturing’s demise are exaggerated. But the parade of bad news overshadows the opportunity.
An opportunity that could help pull Gen Z out of a dire financial situation. To see it, you have to know how to look.
And that’s what I share with my friend, Jared Wall, on the latest episode of his show, Best Practices.
The Importance of Proactive Investment
There’s a visible difference between well-managed facilities and those struggling to keep pace.
The companies that succeed are the ones willing to reinvest in their operations—upgrading aging equipment, implementing modern technology, and maintaining a forward-looking maintenance strategy.
Or you can roll the dice. Maybe the catastrophe fairy stays away.
Real Solutions to Real Problems
But not everything is solved with maintenance. Sometimes you have to replace equipment.
Especially with the age of our current manufacturing infrastructure.
I had one project at a clay mine where rotary screws broke down every two to three weeks. Each time, we lost four to six hours of production…usually on an off-shift.
But there was room to improve. By replacing two 14-inch horizontal screws with larger 16-inch vertical screws and using gravity instead of mechanical transfer, we eliminated those breakdowns entirely.
Thoughtful redesign saved money, reduced overtime costs, and increased production capacity.
The Role of Data and Systems
We explored how computerized maintenance management systems (CMMS) aren’t just about collecting data.
They help make smart decisions.
Whether identifying underperforming equipment, tracking maintenance compliance, or conducting root cause failure analysis, these systems help prevent expensive repeat failures and maximize uptime.
The Jack-of-All-Trades Advantage
In plant engineering roles, being a generalist has distinct advantages. You encounter diverse problems daily—from chillers and conveyors to boilers and production equipment.
Success requires knowing when to become the expert and when to leverage relationships with specialized suppliers and contractors.
You can listen to the full episode on the Best Practices podcast, hosted by Jared Wall and brought to you by Southpoint Solutions.
Check out these other posts on American manufacturing before you go:
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