US manufacturing is alive and well
Historically speaking, there’s no doubt that the U.S manufacturing industry has had an incredible effect on the U.S economy. Through the captains of industry in the 20th century, manufacturing quite literally propelled the U.S into the World super power it is today.
When we talk about manufacturing, we’re referring to the process of transforming raw material into new products – Using whatever industrial means necessary. The production of cars, furniture, oil rig machinery and even medicines falls under the category of ‘manufacturing’.
It may sound like a dull sector, but manufacturing is the driving force behind tools and technologies used across multiple sectors. Health care, construction, solar energy, nuclear energy and automobile innovation – It all starts with creating a product, and it’s human nature to constantly adapt, evolve and improve anything we create. Manufacturing is one of the key industries to drive forward R&D in the U.S, showing a 250% increase in manufacturing efficiency per employee since 1987.
Throughout the 21st century China has been popularized as the manufacturing powerhouse. Whilst that is true, the public assumption that U.S. manufacturing has decreased as a result couldn’t be further from the truth. In fact, even back in 2010, Business Insider reported that Chinese manufacturing companies were making plans to invest in Idaho!
Over 9% of the U.S population are employer in the manufacturing sector, and they’re earning on average $25.58 / hr, significantly more than the $21.32 / hr national average. Numbers employed in the sector were hurt significantly after the 2008 financial crash, but the situation is steadily recovering, and it’s estimated that an additional 3.5 workers will be needed in the next 10 years to meet the demand for homegrown U.S. manufacturing.
The infographic below shows 15 incredible facts about the positively flourishing U.S manufacturing sector, and the exciting times that lay ahead.
*Originally posted at BusinessInsider.com*
