Those words were projected on the PowerPoint slide before a gathering of metro-east manufacturers, economists and analysts at a forum last week at America’s Central Port in Granite City to discuss the state of metro-east manufacturing.
Contrary to popular belief, these experts say that although the manufacturing sector here and across the country has shed jobs, the industry is not dying. There are challenges, but embracing technology, especially the “green” kind, has proven results in St. Clair and Madison counties.
Recent training has helped a high-voltage gear switch manufacturer in Edwardsville expand its product line. Turner Electric LLC, which supplies the utility industry, relocated its 65 employees to Madison County three years ago after more than five decades in Fairview Heights and Millstadt. Manufacturing engineer Ryan Langdon said the company needed to refocus because it had become stagnant with no clear identification and limited internal engineering resources.
A year ago, Turner Electric contacted the Southwest Illinois Advanced Manufacturing Center at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville to help establish and integrate new technology to enhance its products. Langdon said that after having introduced one new product in the past year, the company is preparing to roll out six new products within this yea.
“Your business focus has to support the growth and improvement you’re trying to support,” Langdon said.
Southwest Illinois Advanced Manufacturing Center, which was established in July 2007, has helped instruct clients to tap into technology. Director Kevin Hubbard said the program that has helped clients gain an average of $16 return for every dollar invested…
Source:
Job Market Monitor 
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