Exporting - the key to business expansion
Manufacturing leaders say it's a mistake to ignore
 | | Rovito |
By Rich Rovito, WMEP Industry reporter
Explosive economic growth in other parts of the world has presented an opportunity for Wisconsin manufacturers to boost their revenue and take advantage of a global demographic that shows that about 95 percent of consumers reside outside the United States.
But getting involved in exporting can be a nerve-racking endeavor for small and mid-size manufacturing firms. That's where the Wisconsin Manufacturing Extension Partnership's ExporTech™ program, a three-session training program that helps manufacturers rapidly develop and execute a successful exporting strategy, can be of considerable benefit.
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Why Gen Ys Choose Manufacturing
 | | Brown |
Getting young people interested in careers in manufacturing has been a long-standing challenge for industrial companies throughout the state. Companies know that convincing members of Generation Y of the value of careers in manufacturing will go a long way toward alleviating the skills gap that continues to plague the sector.
"Employers in dire need of workers have overlooked youth apprenticeships as a means of meeting their needs," said Joe Brown, senior manufacturing specialist for the Wisconsin Manufacturing Extension Partnership.
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Articles of interest
- Aging population, fewer business start-ups restrain Wisconsin job growth, report says (from Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, Feb 4) Job growth in Wisconsin has largely lagged behind the nation since the mid-1990s, held back by our age and apparent reluctance to take risks, according to a report by the Wisconsin Taxpayers Alliance.
The sobering report shows the state's work force has failed to keep up with even the weak growth seen in the rest of the country since the 2001 recession. - Berres Brothers Coffee Roasters gets national coverage for converting vans from gasoline to propane to save money and reduce environmental impact. Berres participates in the Wisconsin Profitable Sustainability Initiative.
- Finding skilled workers a focus at Manufacturing Matters! Feb. 28 in Milwaukee Changing the perception about careers in manufacturing is high on the list when it comes to recruitment efforts among manufacturers, many of whom are struggling to fill open positions.
A career in manufacturing means a job with family-supporting wages and benefits, many opportunities for career advancement and the satisfaction of making high-quality, essential products. These jobs should never be positioned as a last resort for job seekers, says Mary Isbister, president of GenMet Corp., a metal fabricator in Mequon. (from Insight on Manufacturing)
- The Competitive Edge: The Year of the Manufacturing Renaissance?
Will 2013 be the year of the manufacturing renaissance? Plenty of groups are hoping so. NAM issued its "manufacturing renaissance" strategy over a year ago. Willy Shih and Gary Pisano of the Harvard Business School, as well as Craig Giffi at Deloitte, are leading advocates for policies that will encourage manufacturing innovation on our shores. And Boston Consulting Group has issued a series of reports pointing to a steady rise in new investment in American manufacturing over the next five years. (from Industry Week by Stephan Gold)
- Standing still is not an option for manufacturers
Many manufacturers struggle to maintain their competitive positions in regional and global markets that are changing faster than ever.
Developing an innovative mindset will assist businesses in achieving significant returns and stay ahead of the competition, according to Adam Hartung, who served as the featured speaker for two recent Lunch & Learn discussions presented by the Wisconsin Manufacturing Extension Partnership, one at the Country Springs Hotel in Pewaukee and the other at the Bridgewood Resort Hotel in Neenah. (Blog post in BizTimes.com by Rich Rovito)
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