“According to folklore, this has been a terrible generation for manufacturing and those who move goods,” says Center of Business and Economic Research’s Director Michael Hicks. He made this bold statement about the general public’s opinions, which are, in fact, contrary. He further added, “That isn’t what the data says. Indeed, 2015 was a record manufacturing production year in inflation-adjusted dollars. While 2016 fell just short with some weakness in the first and second quarter, 2017 looks like a new record year.” Manufacturing logistics are set to mark 2017 and 2018 as record years with renewed hope for more chances of trade and economic bliss. 
Hicks’ comments don’t come as a surprise with growth that is monitored and, above all, viable for safely suggesting that over the past generation, we are experiencing more growth than we have in the last 100 years. From 2000-2003, production grew by a steady 11 percent each year due to the evolution of the web and internet. But then came the downfall in 2007’s global recession, which was a massive blow to global economies and businesses everywhere, according to a leading manufacturing logistics report, Manufacturing and Logistics: A Generation of Volatility & Growth, released by Ball State’s CBER and Conexus Indiana.
Evolution & Manufacturing Logistics
Over the past 100 years, in every aspect of human evolution, from science and technology to arts and design, humanity has made progress beyond its capacity and resource limitations. And, with a generation of progress, employment comes galore. The good thing about development is the abundant chances of opportunity that it brings along, as Hicks pointed out. He also states with considerable confidence that manufacturing logistics has been safe for years, and all this misconception is due to the rising levels of unemployment.
He also reiterates his positivity by saying that manufacturers have become leaner and more versatile, covering more industries than ever. The growth in productivity means greater demands that are being met with satisfaction; in this generation, robotics and other automation have contributed to fewer people being employed. Some particular factors pointed out aided the decay of employment. It revealed that if the worker is well educated and skilled, it raises overall productivity. This means that manufacturing logistics professionals with higher qualifications and credentials play a significant role in development and ensure a higher ability to cope with business demands.
The report also explains that mechanization has evacuated staff off the job. This automation has gained considerable negativity because downsizing and other corporation cut-offs in this generation increase unemployment unless the worker is shifted or relocated. Productivity does increase but at the expense of using fewer workers to improve a system. Emphasis is also laid on improving processes or mechanisms such as ISO certification. For manufacturing logistics, this certification ensures that the process and practices deployed offer optimum efficiency while maintaining a standard and that techniques are used to ensure amplified industrial production.
Other Management Methods
Other management methods like Lean Six Sigma help manufacturers implement a methodology that requires a combined team effort to develop performance levels by analytically eradicating wastage and decreasing discrepancies. The methods used in this generation are a mark of quality and assured reliability. This leads to better monitoring and evaluations of the workforce, which is manageable and supported by standards that set quality assurance ideals.
Since peaking in 1979, manufacturing logistics employment levels have misplaced around 8 million jobs. This is due to mechanization and other developmental processes that are enhancements that come with time. But, at the loss of eight million jobs, another 9 million have been created in various disciplines that support manufacturing and logistics like vocation, shipping, and services.
Unlike our predecessors who didn’t happen to live in the age of the information highway, our generation enjoys the bounties of science and technology that stir up markets by creating jobs and opportunities for businesses such as e-marketing, e-commerce, and web development. Such companies have spawned industries that completely support manufacturing logistic activities.
Hicks elucidates, “Trade and productivity growth shift job opportunities to other places and other sectors even as employment grows. We are at peak US employment right now.” That means with the modernization of markets, corporations, and businesses, the US is at an all-time high in employment related to trade and growth in its productivity levels, further ensuring the future of many professionals of this generation.
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