Manufacturing IATs April 06

POLITICAL:

The Senate recently passed the America COMPETES Act, which helps pay for semiconductor chip manufacturing, increase scientific research and revives lapsed trade programs.

ECONOMIC:

The US manufacturing sector slowed in March due to higher input prices and continued supply chain woes; nevertheless, the sector added 38,000 jobs in March. Across the world, a decline in Chinese factory output is expected to ripple through the world economy.

SOCIAL:

There is broad recognition that the United States needs a bigger skilled manufacturing labor pool. Fortunately, institutions across the country like Calhoun Community College and Drake State in Alabama, Kent Intermediate School District in Michigan, and Arkansas State University-Newport are stepping up to the task by providing new training programs and grants to train the next generation of manufacturing leaders.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT:

Are you designing your workplace with neurodiverse employees in mind?

TECHNOLOGY:

A recent article in Forbes highlights the need to not just deploy modern technology in manufacturing, but to make sure that all the parts fit together and work in a coordinated way.

LEGAL:

The CHIPS Act is set to funnel billions of dollars of investment into semiconductor manufacturing in the United States. The need for a robust semiconductor supply chain was driven home by recent parallel decision by Ford and GM to halt production at two Michigan plants because of a shortage of chips.

ENVIRONMENTAL:

There is increasing attention to ESG matters among manufacturers. The brick and concrete manufacturer Ibstock has targeted a 40% reduction in carbon output by 2030, while analysts and leaders are now paying more attention to the close relationship between ESG practices and supply chain resilience.