Most manufacturers reported that optimism in the economy was rising although there was still uncertainty. Companies were solving problems through continuous improvement and supply management. In addition, companies used apprenticeship programs to fill their employee pipeline and were looking forward to employing interns this summer.
Drivers
- Manufacturing companies added automation to enable high-value employees to accomplish more, employ a higher level of skills and improve job satisfaction.
- As the skilled labor shortage continued through the pandemic, companies invested in upskilling their current workforce.
- Companies reported they were responding to more requests for quotes and sales were returning to normal pre-COVID levels.
- Businesses were talking in 24-month cycles, instead of 6-month cycles.
Drawbacks
- Inability to attract and retain employees remained a top concern.
- Lead times for products have tripled for some manufacturers.
- Increased production volumes and increased capacity led to issues with transportation across all modes.
- More expensive products like plastics, lumber, aluminum, copper and steel along with increased transportation costs resulted in manufacturers passing along more cost to the customer.
- In general, cybersecurity was not a high company priority. Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) adoption will become increasingly important.
- Businesses were paying attention to the COVID-19 vaccine and the new variant of the virus to ensure employee safety. Employers worked closely with HR staff to find resources through EEOC, OSHA, CDC, health departments, associations and the Quad Cities Chamber.
