According to a recent report from the Maryland/DC Manufacturers Directory, manufacturing jobs in the Maryland and D.C. area declined 1.1 percent over the past year, costing the industry 2,180 jobs. However, the report also notes that the Maryland and D.C. areas were only two of a few areas that reported losses from June 2013 to June 2014.
With the infamous shift to overseas production, manufacturing in the United States has been notably less active since the beginning of the 21st century. Once a reliable and well-known field that supplied numerous jobs, the manufacturing industry has seen high unemployment levels as manufacturing jobs disappeared — replaced either by cheaper overseas production or removal of line assembly jobs.
However, with the recent consumer push towards American products, manufacturing jobs are on the rise all over the country. Sweeping changes in the production realm have increased the number of manufacturing jobs available, and the inclusion of automated processes, which once eliminated line assembly positions, have created a new demand for workers who specialize in technology and computer science.
Defense Department cuts, however, are hurting Maryland and D.C. manufacturing by forcing many companies to close their doors. Though the region is home to 4,502 manufacturing employers and over 180,000 employees, global competition is still proving to be a threat to at-home production. However, according to the Manufacturers Directory's report, the educated worker pool, which is focused on research and development, is still ideal for advanced manufacturing.
The manufacturing industry wasn't the only sector that saw losses from 2013 to 2014. Jobs in press and printing decreased by 7.5 percent, and jobs in electronics dropped by 5.7 percent.There is some light in the dark as a Frito-Lay plant in Aberdeen expanded, a Knorr-Bremse rail vehicle facility in Westminster opened, and Volvo Powertrain in Hagerstown expanded, all within the last year. Manufacturing jobs in western Maryland increased by 1 percent, and employment in eastern Maryland remained largely unchanged.
Other states, however, have seen major increases in manufacturing jobs in 2014. Increases in industrial activity without surges in industrial employment have also occurred in states such as California. As the consumer demand for American-made products continues to increase, so do the partnerships created by the retail sector with manufacturing companies in the United States. These factors combined will likely lead to an increase in available manufacturing jobs.
"Reshoring" has evolved from a popular buzzword to a tangible reality for professionals looking for manufacturing jobs; but a key factor in increasing output is to maintain lower cost levels, and it can be tough to compete against countries and regions such as China. However, with a growing Chinese middle class and an increase in demand for American-made products, the boom in American manufacturing may still be on the horizon.
Image courtesy of D.W.S on Flickr.com
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