“I don’t spend my time pontificating about high-concept things; I spend my time solving engineering and manufacturing problems.”
–Elon Musk
October 7th is Manufacturing Day across the country and here in Ohio. Typically, we call attention to this date because we believed for a long time that manufacturing provides great career-oriented jobs, builds our middle class, increases innovation, and makes us more resilient and competitive.
This year, we can say that it is happening for the first time in decades, and we celebrate a new era that is just beginning to remind Americans of the great value of the manufacturing sector. The United States is creating manufacturing jobs faster than it has since the 1970s. The trend seems to be sustainable given the recognition since the pandemic, China’s shutdown and aggressive stance towards Taiwan, and Europe’s economic and security challenges.
Intel’s announcement earlier this year to locate the largest manufacturing investment in Ohio’s history has reminded us that making things in America is not only beneficial, it is necessary if we are going to retain our economic, technological, and national security advantages over the rest of the world. All manufacturing is important, but it is especially critical that we retain and secure critical industries like semiconductors in a world where our economy and our power and increasingly digital.
Honda’s historic investment 40 years ago, the first Japanese auto manufacturing to do so in the United States, did more than just bring jobs and investment to Central Ohio, it bridged the gap between two cultures, brought exciting new ideas and engineering concepts to our country, and ignited a trend that reshaped the US auto industry. The journey continues as Honda moves toward the manufacturing of electric vehicles in the next decade. I’m reminded by this quote from Soichiro Honda when considering the challenges ahead– “My biggest thrill is when I plan something and it fails. My mind is then filled with ideas on how I can improve it.” –Soichiro Honda
Thank you to the thousand of manufacturing professionals that make the products that drive our world. Thank you to the companies that design, engineer, and make products that move the world forward. Finally, thank you to those that advocate for and prepare for tomorrow’s workforce. You are all appreciated.
Let’s have a great week, lift each other up and move forward.
-Kenny McDonald