Some of the top challenges for small manufacturers are “the skilled labor challenge, the factory of the future, reducing regulatory red tape, and emergency preparedness,” according to a Nov. 19, 2019 Forbes  article by Jim Vinoki, America’s Small Manufacturers Talk About Their Challenges and Opportunities.

These topics rose out of a two day meeting conducted by the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) Small and Medium Manufacturers (SMM) Group.

In the area of building a future workforce the article states: “The group agreed that local efforts can make a big difference here too.” Nicole Wolter, President and CEO, HM Manufacturing, Inc., was quoted: “’I feel like I genuinely have an advantage as a small, family-owned business,’ Wolter mentioned. ‘I can lead efforts at local high schools, offer shop tours, and bring on interns – we’re currently offering four to six-week paid internships.'”

In preparing workers to adopt new manufacturing technology, Wolter was quoted: “If older workers can’t understand the newer technology, then pairing and cross training their jobs with the younger workers sets them up to learn from one another.’”

The article went on to discuss the challenges of certain regulations and the need for small manufactures to prepare for emergencies.