2012 - PageSuite

INfOCUS
Georgia Tech study:
Sales, Lean, skilled worker help needed
The 2012 edition of the Georgia Manufacturing Survey,
conducted by Georgia Tech University, points to four areas
of concern for manufacturers in that state. Topping the list
is a need for more help in sales and marketing, with 36% of
manufacturers citing this as a significant need.
Manufacturers also want more help with the Lean manufacturing
operation, cited by 32% of manufacturers, and worker
skills, with 24% needing more technical workers and 16%
needing more workers with basic skills. Energy cost management
is cited by 21% of manufacturers as an area of concern.
That percentage has doubled since 1999.
The study also noted a significant increase in re-shoring
of jobs to the state. According to a press release issued by
Georgia Tech, nearly 16% of the companies responding to the
survey said work had been transferred to them from outside
Georgia, compared to slightly more than 14% that lost work
to out-of-state facilities.
“We have finally seen a crossing of the lines so that more
companies are benefiting from in-sourcing than are losing
to outsourcing,” said Jan Youtie, director of policy
research services in the Enterprise Innovation Institute at
Manufacturing Problems/Needs
Problems/needs 2012 2010 Change
Marketing and sales 36.0% 39.1% -3.1%
Manufacturing
process/Lean
31.6% 31.6% 0%
Technical skills 23.5% 18.8% 4.7%
Energy costs management 21.4% 18.9% 2.5%
Basic skills 16.4% 13.9% 2.5%
While Georgia manufacturers still cite marketing and sales
their biggest area that they need help with, the need for more
technical skills, energy management and basic worker skills
all rose in 2012 from 2010, the last time the study was conducted.
Source: Georgia Manufacturing Study, Georgia Tech
Georgia Tech. “It’s not a huge difference at this point, but
it is a positive and consistent trend for the manufacturing
community.”
Plant Engineering spoke with Youtie about the implications
for manufacturers in Georgia and elsewhere.
PE: What are Georgia manufacturers able to offer
right now that seems to be attracting manufacturing
investment Is this occurring in specific sectors or
across the board
Youtie: Science-based manufacturers (those in medical device,
chemicals, and petroleum industries) and large manufacturers
are more apt to be engaged in in-sourcing.
Move heavy loads without the pain.
One person can move up to 150,000 lbs. with PowerPusher. ®
Material handling solutions from PowerPusher reduce risks and improve
safety by allowing one person to move the heaviest wheeled loads with
total control. Available in four models from
5,000 to 150,000 lb. capacities with a host
of optional hitches, tow bars and push plates,
PowerPusher is the compact, cost-effective
material handling alternative to expensive
forklifts and other ride-on equipment.
GO to www.powerpusher.com
for a free instructional DVD.
PowerPusher
If it rolls... we can move it.
Division of NuStar, Inc. • www.PowerPusher.com • 800-800-9274
input #8 at www.plantengineering.com/information
®
PE: The study also focuses on the relationship between
technology and employment. Has the skills gap emerged
as a problem for Georgia manufacturers, and how are they
addressing the issue
Youtie: This survey highlighted a reemergence of manufacturers’
concerns about technical skills, but we continue to see that
investment in training is relatively low ($100 per respondent
on average).
PE: What are the barriers to sustainability Is it more
profitable today to run a sustainable plant
Youtie: Although we do not ask about the barriers to sustainable
manufacturing, we do see that the vast majority of
manufacturers are engaged in some aspects of sustainable
manufacturing, such as eliminating waste materials sent
to landfills, and more than half have a goal to eliminate air
or water pollution. Both of those areas appear to have their
2010 plans implemented by 2012. Other areas such as using
renewable energy to run the plant still are not very common
at all (set by only 7% of manufacturers in 2012), however,
although the percentage with this goal has risen slightly
from 2010 to 2012. P E
12 • November 2012 plant engineering