The Northeast Wisconsin (NEW) Manufacturing Alliance announced its 15th annual “Northeast Wisconsin Manufacturing Vitality Index Study,” which serves as an indication of the strength and vitality of manufacturing employers in the New North.
The Alliance has commissioned the University of Wisconsin–Oshkosh’s Center for Customized Research and Services to administer the study over the past 15 years. Presidents and CEOs of northeast Wisconsin manufacturing companies with at least $3 million in revenue and 25 or more employees participated in the study. In total, 76 manufacturers participated in the survey conducted in fall 2024, answering questions related to financial health, business growth expansion, plant modernization, supply chain constraints, 2025 hiring intentions, and potential skills shortages.
Key findings of the study are as follows:
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93% of respondents are projecting their firms’ financial health in the next six to 12 months will be “healthy” or “quite healthy”;
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66% are expecting an increase in sales;
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Over half reported that they are investing in plant modernization;
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47% of respondents stated that they experienced supply chain constraints, compared to the previous year’s 98%;
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58% of manufacturers are concerned that they will not find the workforce they need in 2025, still a drop from the prior year’s 91%;
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Employees such as Computer Numerical Control machinists, operators, general labor/production workers, welders, industrial maintenance technicians, painters, and skilled trades remain difficult to locate and are in high demand;
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Employability skills are also heavily in demand, especially communication, work ethic, and attendance.
The NEW Manufacturing Alliance created new videos called, “Effective Communication in the Workplace” to spotlight how individuals can enhance their employability skills. The free videos and teacher lesson plans can be found here.
