According to the Fort Wayne Journal Gazette, CNC Industries Inc., a computer numerical control machining company, recently announced a multi-million dollar expansion at its Fort Wayne, Indiana, factory.
Although the changes, which include a $1 million building expansion project and the addition of between $3 and $5 million worth of equipment, were proposed more than four years ago, the source notes that the economic downturn temporarily shelved investment, and the recent improvement in the strength of the market has allowed CNC Industries to begin work on the planned expansion.
Officials at the factory said that once construction is completed, they expect to add between 20 and 40 new jobs annually for the next 5 to 10 years, according to the news source.
"We're back in line and growing faster than ever before," said CNC Industries Vice President Steven Deam Jr.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, CNC programmer and operator employment in the United States is expected to increase by 4 percent by 2018. As CNC machining continues to evolve as a technology, the BLS notes that expertise and the ability to manage multiple machines will give candidates an advantage where jobs are competitive.
Despite high unemployment levels and the U.S. government supporting a resurrection of the American manufacturing industry, many companies have found it difficult to fill positions with skilled workers.
According to a recent Washington Post report, the United States has lost about 4 million manufacturing jobs during the past 10 years, but even with waves of workers seeking employment, the workforce still lacks a sufficient amount of employees with the desired skills to operate advanced machinery. The report said automation technologies like computer numerical control (CNC) machines have changed factory processes and transformed the job responsibilities of traditional manufacturing workers.
The source cited a recent Deloitte survey, which revealed as many as 600,000 manufacturing jobs are going unfilled, even with high levels of unemployment in the industry.
The report said CNC machines have enabled factories to manufacture products rapidly, for a fraction of the cost and with less man-power. However, while the technology reduces costs and improves efficiency, most older workers in the industry have insufficient training to operate such machinery.
"I came straight out of high school and found a job. But these days, you have to have some technical skills," Mark Miller, a 36-year-old working toward an associates degree in machine tool technology, told the source. " When I get out of here, the idea is to be able not just to run a machine but to program it."
CNC machining is a process in which programmers use a numerical code to dictate a factory machine's toolpath, increasing production speed and accuracy. Many manufacturing companies use advanced systems, in which computer aided design (CAD) and computer aided manufacturing (CAM) technologies form an integrated solution.
The manufacturing industry has a long and successful history in Connecticut, but new technologies are forcing the sector to educate an advanced workforce capable of operating modern machinery.
According to the Bridgeport News, Housatonic Community College in Bridgeport has been awarded part of a $17.8 million state-issued grant, which it will use to build the HCC Regional Advanced Manufacturing Center for Southwestern Connecticut. The facility will include a manufacturing lab, an engineering and design studio and a welding area, enabling students to learn advanced skills required in today's expanding manufacturing and engineering sectors.
"We see manufacturing as one of the growth areas in Connecticut," HCC president Anita Gliniecki told the source. "The college has conducted intensive discussion and research with local manufacturers and vocational technical school partners to bring this manufacturing center to fruition and increase the training and education opportunities for the residents of Southwestern Connecticut."
The center will feature advanced manufacturing technologies like rapid prototyping and computer numerical control (CNC) machines, two modern manufacturing processes companies are using to increase production speed, reduce costs and improve accuracy.
"Many manufacturers have told us that, even in this recession, they can't find the skilled workers that they need," said State Senator Ed Gomes, according to the Bridgeport News.
Connecticut is home to several innovative manufacturing companies, but the sector may need to embrace advanced technologies to keep pace with competitors. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, there were 178,239 manufacturing jobs in Connecticut in 2008, down from 246,125 in 1998. The HCC facility is another sign the state's manufacturing companies and higher education institutions recognize the demand for employees with advanced skills. The Connecticut Community Colleges' College of Technology recently hosted a series of events designed to increase student interest in manufacturing.
The United States government has attempted to rejuvenate the country's once-prominent manufacturing industry with tax credits and worker training programs, two initiatives that may finally be paying off.
According to the Institute for Supply Management, U.S. manufacturing activity expanded in January at the fastest rate since June, marking the sector's 30th consecutive month of growth. The trade group's manufacturing index rose from 53.1 in December to 54.1 last month, largely due to a rise in new orders.
"This is a very encouraging report on manufacturing activity that shows particular strength in leading indicators," John Ryding, an economist at RDQ Economics, told the Washington Post.
The report said new orders and order backlogs both reached nine-month highs, indicating many manufacturing companies lack the resources and workforce to accommodate increasing demand. The news is likely well-received in President Barack Obama's administration, as the president recently announced his desire to increase jobs and production among U.S. manufacturing companies.
Many experts and government officials have recently discussed the need for a more skilled workforce, including employees with experience using advanced manufacturing technologies like rapid prototyping, CNC machines, 3D printing and computer aided manufacturing (CAM).
"We do believe that manufacturing punches above its weight economically," Gene Sperling of the White House National Economic Council told the New York Times in a recent report on U.S. manufacturing jobs. "Advanced manufacturing is critical to your innovative capacity as a country."
According to the New York Times report, U.S. manufacturers have added about 330,000 jobs during the past two years.
Last June, Obama launched the Advanced Manufacturing Partnership (AMP), a national initiative designed to increase investments in innovative technologies that will result in quality manufacturing jobs and return the sector to global competitiveness. One of the AMP's objectives is to reduce the time it takes companies to develop and manufacture advanced materials used in products, a goal that processes like rapid prototyping and CNC machining may be able to help accomplish.
The Midwestern United States was the center of the American manufacturing industry before many companies transferred production overseas and the global recession forced several factories to close. However, some cities are now receiving a boost in job creation due to advanced manufacturing businesses opening new, highly technical factories.
Impact CNC, a machining company that makes products for the automotive, heavy-truck and agricultural industries, recently announced it will purchase a 30,000 square-foot facility in Whitley County, Indiana, creating 106 new jobs by 2014.
"Indiana's manufacturing sector is continuing to see healthy growth and Impact CNC's announcement only reinforces that," said Governor Mitch Daniels. "We've been able to create an environment that promotes sustainable business practices through our low-tax policies and nationally-ranked business climate."
The company, which is investing $12.87 million in the facility, expects to hire computer numerical control (CNC) operators, supervisors and support staff during the next few months. Impact CNC had several reasons for choosing the small Indiana county as the site of its new facility, including several tax credits. The Indiana Economic Development Corporation offered Impact up to $550,000 in conditional tax credits and $80,000 in training grants because of the company's expansive job plans. The tax credits will be distributed based on the actual number of jobs Impact creates.
"For this project I considered a number of sites in the Midwest, but once again found that Indiana provided the right location to grow the company in the years ahead," said Jerry Busche, founder and president of Impact CNC.
Several manufacturing companies use CNC machines to complete projects efficiently, accurately and for a low cost. Vacform Group, a leading vacuum forming company, recently decreased production times 40 percent by using a computer aided design (CAD) program and CNC machine.
The Midwestern United States was the center of the American manufacturing industry before many companies transferred production overseas and the global recession forced several factories to close. However, some cities are now receiving a boost in job creation due to advanced manufacturing businesses opening new, highly technical factories.
Impact CNC, a machining company that makes products for the automotive, heavy-truck and agricultural industries, recently announced it will purchase a 30,000 square-foot facility in Whitley County, Indiana, creating 106 new jobs by 2014.
"Indiana's manufacturing sector is continuing to see healthy growth and Impact CNC's announcement only reinforces that," said Governor Mitch Daniels. "We've been able to create an environment that promotes sustainable business practices through our low-tax policies and nationally-ranked business climate."
The company, which is investing $12.87 million in the facility, expects to hire computer numerical control (CNC) operators, supervisors and support staff during the next few months. Impact CNC had several reasons for choosing the small Indiana county as the site of its new facility, including several tax credits. The Indiana Economic Development Corporation offered Impact up to $550,000 in conditional tax credits and $80,000 in training grants because of the company's expansive job plans. The tax credits will be distributed based on the actual number of jobs Impact creates.
"For this project I considered a number of sites in the Midwest, but once again found that Indiana provided the right location to grow the company in the years ahead," said Jerry Busche, founder and president of Impact CNC.
Several manufacturing companies use CNC machines to complete projects efficiently, accurately and for a low cost. Vacform Group, a leading vacuum forming company, recently decreased production times 40 percent by using a computer aided design (CAD) program and CNC machine.
Starting a small business in today's economic conditions can be a risky proposition, especially in the American manufacturing industry that has continued to lose ground to China and other foreign markets.
According to a Green Bay Press Gazette report, machinist Jamie Vesser and his Machine-plus company recently became the first manufacturing tenant in the Advance Business & Manufacturing Center in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The center is an incubator for small start-ups, providing them with office and work space, secure finances and mentoring from professional services.
Vesser's shop in the center consists of a small office, a CNC machining area, a lathe and a drill press. The facility provided Machine-plus with furniture, office supplies and other essential business needs, the report said.
"Jamie is a pretty classic example," Chuck Brys, business counselor with the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay Small Business Development Center, told the source. "You understand they have the background to do it. The gap we try to fill is 'You now have to sell yourself to somebody who's going to finance this thing.'"
The center helped Vesser, a machinist with 15 years of experience, secure financing through the Advance Brown County MicroLoan Program, a lender with offices inside the Advance Business & Manufacturing Center. Meanwhile, the center provided Vesser's start-up with an office administrator and other resources small businesses need to succeed, the report said.
CNC machining has become a preferred advanced manufacturing method for businesses looking to reduce costs, increase time to market and create innovative products. According to an MSNBC report, the Federal Reserve's manufacturing index increased 0.9 percent in December, the largest monthly gain in a year. The report said the rise was primarily due to small and medium-sized businesses ordering more manufacturing equipment.
Starting a small business in today's economic conditions can be a risky proposition, especially in the American manufacturing industry that has continued to lose ground to China and other foreign markets.
According to a Green Bay Press Gazette report, machinist Jamie Vesser and his Machine-plus company recently became the first manufacturing tenant in the Advance Business & Manufacturing Center in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The center is an incubator for small start-ups, providing them with office and work space, secure finances and mentoring from professional services.
Vesser's shop in the center consists of a small office, a CNC machining area, a lathe and a drill press. The facility provided Machine-plus with furniture, office supplies and other essential business needs, the report said.
"Jamie is a pretty classic example," Chuck Brys, business counselor with the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay Small Business Development Center, told the source. "You understand they have the background to do it. The gap we try to fill is 'You now have to sell yourself to somebody who's going to finance this thing.'"
The center helped Vesser, a machinist with 15 years of experience, secure financing through the Advance Brown County MicroLoan Program, a lender with offices inside the Advance Business & Manufacturing Center. Meanwhile, the center provided Vesser's start-up with an office administrator and other resources small businesses need to succeed, the report said.
CNC machining has become a preferred advanced manufacturing method for businesses looking to reduce costs, increase time to market and create innovative products. According to an MSNBC report, the Federal Reserve's manufacturing index increased 0.9 percent in December, the largest monthly gain in a year. The report said the rise was primarily due to small and medium-sized businesses ordering more manufacturing equipment.
Many engineering and manufacturing companies are using CNC machining to reduce operating costs and improve time to market, but some businesses are having a difficult time finding employees with advanced manufacturing skills.
According to a Modern Machine Shop report, Alphatec Spine, a manufacturer of high-value medical parts, launched a new apprenticeship program last year. The company recruits young, talented high school graduates and invites them to join the 120 employees at its California facility, providing Alphatec with an internally trained workforce with top-notch CNC machining skills.
Sean Tillett, a machinist trainer at Alphatec, told the source the company used to hire employees through help-wanted advertisements, but that method became unproductive when local colleges had less demand for manufacturing courses and limited talent was entering the job market. The apprenticeship program has enabled Alphatec to train a highly advanced staff with experience operating CNC machines.
Meanwhile, the company recently added a new drilling solution, which has reduced production costs by more than $1,000 per day.
CNC machining has become popular for its ability to integrate computer aided design (CAD) with advanced manufacturing. For example, HSMWorks is a leading computer aided manufacturing (CAM) solution that merges with SolidWorks to provide manufacturers with a smooth CNC machining process.
Many engineering and manufacturing companies are using CNC machining to reduce operating costs and improve time to market, but some businesses are having a difficult time finding employees with advanced manufacturing skills.
According to a Modern Machine Shop report, Alphatec Spine, a manufacturer of high-value medical parts, launched a new apprenticeship program last year. The company recruits young, talented high school graduates and invites them to join the 120 employees at its California facility, providing Alphatec with an internally trained workforce with top-notch CNC machining skills.
Sean Tillett, a machinist trainer at Alphatec, told the source the company used to hire employees through help-wanted advertisements, but that method became unproductive when local colleges had less demand for manufacturing courses and limited talent was entering the job market. The apprenticeship program has enabled Alphatec to train a highly advanced staff with experience operating CNC machines.
Meanwhile, the company recently added a new drilling solution, which has reduced production costs by more than $1,000 per day.
CNC machining has become popular for its ability to integrate computer aided design (CAD) with advanced manufacturing. For example, HSMWorks is a leading computer aided manufacturing (CAM) solution that merges with SolidWorks to provide manufacturers with a smooth CNC machining process.