33rd Annual Survey of Corporate Executives Commentary: New Versus Old Economy: Different Hotspots, Different Strategies
Although manufacturing and technology companies often have divergent needs and cluster in varied geographic locations, both are having trouble finding the workforce they require.
Q1 2019
One reason that site selectors and many economic development officials might be more attuned to manufacturing is that these projects tend to be more geographically mobile, or at least willing to consider far more locations. However, that bias might result in important trends being overlooked. For example, manufacturing and technology clients are beginning to describe workforce requirements using very different terminology. Those from manufacturing still use traditional occupational titles such as “machine operator” or “quality assurance technician,” whereas technology clients increasingly describe workforce requirements in terms of the unique cluster of skills required for each position.
Each would agree with the key survey finding that qualified labor is concern number one; but how they go about defining and filling new positions is beginning to diverge greatly, and this trend is likely to speed up in tandem with the introduction of AI in the workplace.
Project Announcements
GMAX Industries Plans Winston-Salem, North Carolina, Production Operations
07/14/2025
ORBCOMM Expands Sterling, Virginia, Operations
07/14/2025
Clayton Supply Expands Morristown, Tennessee, Production Operations
07/14/2025
Fine Organic Industries Limited Plans Jonesville, South Carolina, Operations
07/14/2025
Wayne-Sanderson Farms Establishes Danville, Arkansas, Feed Mill Operations
07/11/2025
Spiritus Technologies PBC Plans Santa Fe, New Mexico, Operations
07/10/2025
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