GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – A new study finds Northeast Wisconsin manufacturers are optimistic for 2023.
The Northeast Wisconsin Manufacturing Alliance’s 13th Annual Vitality Index found the manufacturing sector remained strong over the past year but had some bumps along the way.
Members of the Northeast Wisconsin Manufacturing Alliance gathered at UW-Green Bay for a look at the future of manufacturing in the area.
Almost a quarter of jobs in Northeast Wisconsin are manufacturing jobs.
“We had a very positive year; the demand in the economy was strong,” said John Davis, CEO of Great Northern Corporation located in Appleton.
A fall survey included 122 manufacturing businesses.
Mike Kawleski, public affairs manager for Georgia Pacific, tells FOX 11 companies’ sales are recovering well from the pandemic.
“With the pandemic easing, if not actually over, you’ve got a lot of pent up demand for the products that manufacturers are producing.”
According to the study, 76% of companies are reporting increased sales this year, compared to only 40% in 2020. And 71% expect increased sales next year.
But the report isn’t all about wins.
“Our challenges — we’re really trying to find enough materials and paper,” said Davis.
Over 98% of respondents say their supply chain was impacted in 2022.
Davis says his company was part of that number.
“I’d say now we’re finding that supply chain challenges are lessening and starting to see an economy that’s more in balance,” said Davis.
More than half of manufacturing companies anticipate hiring new employees in the first quarter of 2023. But worry comes with finding new hires.
“We continue to look for the best talent to join our team, and it takes a special kind of person to be part of the GNC team. We’re careful about who we hire,” said Davis.
Ninety-one percent anticipate difficulty finding and acquiring talent. In 2011, the first year of the study, only 29% reported a hiring concern.
Kawleski says the skills highest in demands are attendance, communication, dependability and basic math.
“A lot of the companies are doing a full court press,” said Kawleski. “Getting involved with schools and students, making sure they know that those careers will be available to them after they graduate.”
To read this year’s Northeast Wisconsin Manufacturing Alliance’s Vitality Index, click here.
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