American Manufacturing is in the news these days. A sudden wave of optimism about growth possibilities seems to pervade the media. There has been a lot of happy talk in 2013 about the future of manufacturing with titles like:
- Manufacturing is a surprising bright spot in U.S. economy - New York times
- Comeback: Why the future of Industry is in America - The Atlantic
- For the first time in decades the future of American Manufacturing looks promising - Forbes
- Why a resurgence in US manufacturing may be the next big bet - PWC.COM
In fact the Boston Consulting Group is projecting that “the United States is in a strong position by around 2015 to eventually add 2 million to 3 million jobs and an estimated $100 billion in annual output in a range of industries.”
But, short term improvements in jobs or sales are like a sick person getting some medicine from the doctor and feeling better the next day. A very thorough examination of all of the vital signs might show that the patient actually has a debilitating disease that will eventually render the patient bedridden over time. A real assessment of American Manufacturing also requires a longer term examination of manufacturing vital signs.
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