Manufacturing jobs are waning. In many emerging market and developing economies, workers are shifting from agriculture to services, bypassing the manufacturing sector. In advanced economies, the rise in service sector employment typically reflects the outright disappearance of manufacturing jobs. The decline in manufacturing jobs is often met with anxiety. People are concerned that a smaller manufacturing sector implies slower economic growth and a scarcity of well-paying jobs for low- and middle-skilled workers—contributing to worsening inequality.
China is the world’s largest manufacturer in terms of output and has gained a reputation as the “world’s factory” soon after its accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO) in 2001.
Manufacturing is defined as the creation of new products, either from raw materials or components. Examples of manufacturing include automotive companies, bakeries, shoemakers and tailors, as they all create products, rather than providing services. However, for example, logging or mining are not manufacturing, as they do not change goods into new products. Construction, while seemingly a manufacturing process, is actually its own category and not considered a facet of manufacturing either. Manufacturing jobs can cover a wide range of skills, including assemblers, bakers, dental and medical appliance technicians, food processors, jewellers, metal workers, machinists, printers, quality controllers, tailors, upholsterers, welders, cutters and woodworkers.
Future Manufacturing
Manufacturing processes are changing along with the skills required to undertake them. With more cost-effective methods being sought out and increasing automation in manufacturing, the number of jobs in this sector are expected to decline. However, those that remain are likely to be more specialised and highly paid.
Increasingly sophisticated technology means that manufacturing will require staff skills and training to manage, while new materials and processes are changing particular industries. Nanotechnology is changing electronics production while lighter materials like aluminium and carbon fibre has changed the automotive industry. Elsewhere, pharmaceuticals are being revolutionised by bio-engineering and 3D printing allows for the creation of bespoke specialised components for industries like aerospace and medical. As robots become more sophisticated many manufacturing processes are being automated while big data allows manufacturers to analyse and target customer needs to guide product development.
Why it is Important?
Manufacturing is not only important in producing and delivering goods to the marketplace, but it is also important for economic reasons. In the United States, for example, manufacturing makes up 15% of the economic output. The mass production of items can provide a real boost to an economy, which can be measured by ‘manufacturing value added (MVA)’ indicators. These compare the manufacturing output to the size of the overall economy to create a percentage of gross domestic product (GDP). The figures for manufacturing employment, inventories and orders are examined by manufacturing institutes, such as The Institute for Supply Management (ISM), whose reports inform financial analysts and researchers.
Conclusion
Manufacturing continues to be an import aspect of industry, not just to provide goods for the marketplace, but also to drive the economy. As manufacturing processes continue to advance, so the skills required have also developed, with this trend set to continue in the future.
Manufacture requires a careful balance of supply and demand, whether through making items for stock, for order, or for assembly, as well as an ability to read the demands of the marketplace.
Manufacturing has been an integral part of society for centuries and this looks to continue for as long as humans need products ranging from food and clothes to vehicles and pharmaceuticals.
What Manufacturing Engineer And Mechanical Engineer Do?
Manufacturing Engineers focus on the design and operation of integrated systems for the production of high-quality, economically competitive products. These systems may include computer networks, robots, machine tools, and materials-handling equipment. For example, a manufacturing engineer might be hired to:
- Automate a chemical manufacturing facility through computer integrated technology
- Design circuit board manufacturing processes to reduce costs and improve product quality
- Develop the best assignment of machines and equipment to various manufacturing cells in discrete parts manufacturing
- Develop and implement fabrication processes for nano-/micro-devices
- Identify the most cost-effective material handling and facility layout alternative for an aerospace manufacturing company
Mechanical engineering is a uniquely broad-based profession. Mechanical engineers apply their scientific knowledge to solve problems and design machines that help us to enjoy a better life. In addition to areas traditionally associated with the discipline, such as power generation, automotive, aerospace and manufacturing industries, mechanical engineers also work within interdisciplinary teams solving problems in areas such as nanotechnology, electrical and electronic systems, environmental protection, bioengineering, renewable energy and food industry.
Useful links
Why Does Manufacturing Matter?
Why Are Politicians So Obsessed With Manufacturing?
The Political Economy of Manufacturing Growth and Decline across the American States, 1970-1985
How An Industry Builds Political Advantage
Why Manufacturing Has Been Important for Development
The economics and politics of manufacturing fetishism