In 2018, Director Brakeman established a Manufacturing Round Table allowing the opportunity for local presidents and their appointees to share ideal for taking on manufacturing challenges throughout the region. Recent US supply chain disruptions have taught us of the critical need to expand our manufacturing base by reducing our dependence on foreign suppliers. The shared experience of this group has opened a dialogue for addressing the various issues that our manufacturing facilities are currently facing. These ongoing manufacturing challenges consist of workforce recruitment, retention, and training while employers are transitioning from older antiquated manufacturing processes to modern robotics and workplace automation, which requires new skills in “STEM” (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) jobs of the future. Another focus of the round table has been the coming transition to battery electric vehicles and how to maintain good paying union jobs in the emerging green economy. The future of manufacturing involves having the ability to manage our own supply chains and production capabilities. This can only be accomplished by returning critical manufacturing back to the U.S.
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