Unlike General Motors and Delphi, Most of America’s Manufacturers Are Thriving

Well-publicized woes of companies like General Motors could give the impression that all US manufacturing is struggling. Predictions that manufacturing would suffer setbacks after the IT boom played itself out several years ago failed to materialize. US manufacturers have been innovative in charting many areas for increasing productivity, not simply coasting on the momentum of the boom. Profits and productivity have risen steadily since the recession of 2001. The position of capital equipment and durable goods makers, who have always been the bedrock of US manufacturing, remains strong while a host of other companies have maximized efficiency. Stories of struggle might get more attention, but most US manufacturers quietly resist the rampant rumors of foreign competition, with continued innovation and getting the job done. – YaleGlobal