Made in the USA is helped right here in Rochester New York
By Jon Tobin, President, Han-Tek Integrated Handling Systems
Time Inc.’s recent article “Made in the USA” is a long awaited statement on how the manufacturing industry is changing and being revitalized. They state “The trick for U.S. companies is to develop new manufacturing techniques ahead of global competitors and then use them to produce goods more efficiently on super automated factory floors. These factories of the future have more machines and fewer workers — and those workers must be able to master the machines. Many new manufacturing jobs require at least a two-year tech degree to complement artisan skills such as welding or milling.”
These new techniques make the factories as well as the workers more competitive in the global marketplace. When you see companies like “Apple, famous for the city-size factories in China that produce its gadgets, decide to assemble one of its Mac computer lines in the U.S.” and Walmart said it would increase spending with American suppliers by $50 billion over the next decade — and save money by doing so. These are dramatic reversals.
The key for US companies is to leverage this as a competitive advantage in the marketplace. One of the most common reasons for outsourcing to other countries is that products can be produced cheaper due to low-cost labor. Smart companies are finding that automation can reduce total labor costs by improving productivity.
In fact, at Han-Tek we’ve been helping forward thinking companies keep jobs in the USA by impleme
nting factory automation solutions that improve productivity and competitiveness. As mentioned in the Time Magazine article: “… increasingly, the cost arbitrage done by companies when deciding where to put jobs isn't just about hourly pay. It's also about relative labor productivity--which has been rising sharply in the U.S. over the past decade while remaining flat in China…..”
When Han-Tek worked with one of North America’s largest manufacturers and suppliers of wheels for heavy- and medium-duty trucks, buses, and commercial light trucks, we developed a completely automated process from one that had been a manual operation—moving aluminum wheel stampings through machining and finishing processing—and greatly improved productivity. And employee safety!
This is but one example of how Han-Tek engineers materials handling processes that incorporate robotics, conveyors, and sophisticated machine controls. Super automated, of course! In order to stay competitive and to keep jobs here in the USA we need more solutions like this. Take a look at our success stories.
Jon Tobin, President, Han-Tek Integrated Handling Systems, Rochester, New York 800-836-0237
