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Because recruiting and retaining employees are the top challenges in manufacturing, retention is the new form of recruiting. Finding, engaging, and keeping top talent through internal hiring is easier than external hiring. Technological advancements and automation impact manufacturing roles. Therefore, upskilling and reskilling employees to meet changing business needs requires less time and money than…
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According to GoodTime’s 2025 Hiring Insights Report, manufacturing firm respondents indicated their top hiring challenge was retention and their priority was hiring efficiency. In the previous year: 36% of respondents achieved their hiring goals 53% said the manufacturing hiring landscape became more competitive 55% of leaders reported that time-to-hire increased Manufacturers struggle to meet workforce demands…
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Shrinking lead times for manufacturing machines require proactive hiring. Building talent pipelines before the machines reach the production floor ensures new hires are onboarded, trained, and ready to attain their targets. Developing strategic talent pipelines lets manufacturing firms strengthen workforce planning. Anticipating future skill requirements and engaging talent early helps build robust talent pipelines tailored…
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Filling today’s manufacturing roles while preparing for tomorrow strengthens business success. Hiring employees willing to upskill and reskill positions your factory for growth. Emphasizing technology-based careers, prioritizing flexibility, and offering manufacturing internships help fill today’s roles and tomorrow’s business needs. Strengthening wage transparency, updating job postings, and providing engaging training also help. Emphasize Technology-Based Manufacturing…
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Reshoring manufacturing is gaining popularity because of the supply chain issues experienced during the coronavirus pandemic. Overseas factories that closed or halted production left U.S. companies searching for parts and supplies. Recent laws incentivized manufacturing firms to produce domestically: 2021 Infrastructure Law: Designates funding to improve public transportation, internet access, and electric vehicle charging stations…
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Human-robot collaboration is reshaping manufacturing operations. Integrating collaborative robots, or cobots, into automation enhances safety, flexibility, and productivity. Cobots can handle hazardous, repetitive, or precision-demanding tasks alongside human workers to expand research, factory, and warehouse operations. These activities strengthen the manufacturing firm’s competitive edge. Benefits of Cobots Integrating cobots into manufacturing operations provides diverse benefits:…
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Microfactories are small to medium modular manufacturing facilities using cutting-edge technologies to optimize operations. Using big data, automation, artificial intelligence (AI), the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), and other tools and technologies significantly increases efficiency and reduces costs compared to traditional factories. According to a 2022 McKinsey & Company report, digital transformations within factories can…
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A purchasing supervisor plans, directs, and coordinates the activities of buyers, purchasing officers, and other workers relevant to purchasing materials, products, and services. They also manage supplier relationships, negotiate contracts, ensure timely material procurement, and maintain cost efficiency. A purchasing supervisor mitigates risks, reduces waste, and improves supply chain reliability. They also resolve supply chain…
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Digital twins can rapidly drive operational efficiency, scale capacity, and increase resilience in manufacturing firms. Real-time virtual replication of the factory deepens understanding of complex physical systems and production operations, optimizes production scheduling, and simulates scenarios to understand the impact of potential actions. Digital twins support fast, cost-effective decision-making. For instance, manufacturing leaders can use…
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The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported 484,000 manufacturing jobs in Wisconsin in October 2024, a 1% increase from the previous 12-month period. Also in October 2024, the BLS reported 319,500 manufacturing jobs in Minnesota, a 1.2% decrease from the previous 12-month period. Understanding key trends shaping the manufacturing workforce in 2025 helps employers…
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