I grew up in manufacturing as my dad worked for Ford Motor Company for 33 years. No matter where I went I could connect with people saying “My dad worked at the Ford plant near the airport” or “My dad worked at the Ford plant on Route 1” or whatever described the location of this prominent fixture everyone knew.
This was the case throughout my twenties as I started connecting with people professionally. In my thirties, I had to add the phrase “the Ford plant that used to be located at….”
Whether I was referring to New Jersey, Ohio, California or Missouri, many people still remembered the oversized manufacturing facilities, but these days the plants are largely gone.
Recently I realized few people know what I am talking about when I refer to Ford plants as landmark locations. The problem, of course, runs deeper than my personal quest to connect with others. The problem is that in those forgotten manufacturing plants were jobs for anywhere between 3,000 and 6,000 people. In those jobs were hopes, dreams, and provisions for as many families.
And now those jobs are gone and forgotten.
So, I lament. Ironically, for a while the big pressure on U.S. automotive industry was the introduction of Japanese automobiles. Later, the unions, globalization, etc. all played a role in the unraveling of that powerhouse economy.
I say “ironic” because last week I was invited to tour the Mazak manufacturing plant in Florence, Ky. Mazak is a Japanese manufacturer producing multi-tasking, five axis, milling turning, CNC controls and automation machines.
Do you know what all that means? Well, I didn’t until I became more interested in the maker movement and excited about people like Mark Hatch, CEO of TechShop, coming as a keynote speaker for Geekend in November.
TechShop is the do-it-yourself “gym” where “makers” access machines such as saws, lathes, mills, CNC machines and 3D printers. A lathe rotates wood or metal so it can be shaped through sanding, cutting, drilling, etc.
A milling machine is used to shape items by cutting excess parts away from raw materials. CNC (computer numerical control) machines use computers to control the production process. Whereas Smithy or Tormach may sell equipment to hobbyists and maker spaces, industrial CNC milling machines are
often supplied by Mazak, Makino, or DATRON AG.
My American manufacturing blood gasps for oxygen.
And then I learned what these machines can do and how they are sold throughout Georgia, South Carolina and the entire United States. I learned how small to medium-sized companies are growing and thriving by creating parts for aerospace, consumer electronics, construction, automotive, medical equipment and more.
For a demo, check out the YouTube video about the Texas assembled Mac Pro.
I was impressed by how eager the Mazak team is to build their business in our region. They recognize that successful manufacturing in the United States, particularly near our fast growing Georgia Ports, means more sales of their expensive and amazing machinery.
Companies such as Mazak reinforce their sales with extensive outreach, training and support. The same country that helped bring about the demise of the U.S. automotive industry is working just as hard, if not harder, to bring manufacturing back to the United States.
Ironic, isn’t it?
Another group working hard to bring manufacturing back to the U.S. is Georgia Tech’s Manufacturing Extension Partnership (GaMEP). Ben Cheeks, GaMEP’s advisor for the Coastal Region, spends his days consulting with hundreds of manufacturers throughout the area, helping them to optimize and grow their businesses.
In-depth knowledge of automated manufacturing equipment, workforce training, process change and the application of the latest technology are all parts of Ben’s toolbox. He knows from first-hand experience that firms adopting a strategy of innovation have higher profitability and pay higher wages compared to firms adopting other strategies such as low price or quick delivery.
By helping manufacturers tap into Georgia Tech’s resources, these growing companies are better positioned to develop new products and customers, expand into global markets and adopt new technology.
One day in the not too distant future, with the help of companies like Mazak and state and locally sponsored resources such as Ben Cheeks and Georgia Tech’s Enterprise Innovation Institute, I’d like to connect with people throughout the Southeast by saying something like “oh, that’s near the new ABC manufacturing plant on the south end of your town.”
U.S.-based manufacturing, with its high skilled workers and high paying jobs, can bring back the same hopes and dreams held by former generations.
I think that’s doable, don’t you?
Bea Wray is the executive director of The Creative Coast, a not-for-profit organization that promotes the creative and entrepreneurial community within the region. Bea can be reached at 912-447-8457 or bea@thecreativecoast.org
By Bea Wray