Major manufacturing companies historically sought out cheap labor in places with enough infrastructure capacity to produce their products at the lowest cost. As the global economy offered increased national options, the U.S. saw manufacturing jobs disappear in textiles, agriculture and furniture. Some of those jobs are returning to the U.S. as today’s manufacturing changes. See how communities across our state are taking advantage of the opportunities new manufacturing brings.

Over the last two decades, North Carolina has seen a major decline in its manufacturing base, shedding more than several hundred thousand jobs. Forward-looking communities that lost manufacturing jobs in the past are creating a reserve of highly skilled employees and leaner practices in order to compete in today’s manufacturing environment.

Issues of quality, increased cost and economic uncertainty from a rapidly changing global economy have led more companies to return overseas production back to their communities, helping to spur high quality, well-paying jobs. This concept, known as reshoring, is taking hold in all sectors of North Carolina manufacturing. But to keep these jobs, businesses–along with local, county and statewide partners–must collaborate in support of manufacturing growth.

There are millions of unemployed people. A large number of those are undereducated and, as a result, unqualified for today’s high-tech manufacturing jobs. North Carolina’s K-12 schools and community colleges are closing the skills gap by training youth for highly skilled, good-paying jobs in manufacturing after graduation. At the same time, manufacturers are working to shed the negative stigma of yesterday’s manufacturing to attract the next generation of employees.

The next industrial revolution is taking place in someone’s garage. Known as the “Maker Movement,” this more individualized, small-scale approach to manufacturing is helping spur locally networked communities. Today, North Carolina’s community of designers and makers are utilizing next generation digital fabrication tools to make it easier and less costly to manufacture a product.