I still remember walking through the shipyard early in my career and looking up at a vessel that seemed to stretch endlessly. Thousands of people had contributed their skills, ideas, craftsmanship, and hard work to build something larger than any one person could accomplish alone.
There is a feeling that comes with that moment that is difficult to describe. Pride, purpose, and a sense of accomplishment. And perhaps most importantly, the realization that your work matters.
As someone who spent years in shipbuilding and manufacturing leadership, I have experienced that feeling many times. Standing beside a submarine, an aircraft carrier, a piece of equipment, or a product that will serve others for decades creates a connection between people and purpose that is hard to find anywhere else.
There is something deeply human about making things. Whether it is building ships, assembling aircraft, producing life-saving medical devices, designing semiconductors, manufacturing automobiles, creating advanced technologies, or producing products families use every day, manufacturing allows people to leave their fingerprints on the world around them.
You can point to something tangible and say, “I helped build that.” Few careers offer that opportunity.
For too long, we heard stories about manufacturing disappearing from America. Today, the story is changing. That is one of the reasons I love this industry so much.
Manufacturing people are builders by nature. They see a problem and ask, “How can we make this better?” They look at a process and wonder, “Is there a better way?” They collaborate, innovate, improve, and keep moving forward. That mindset built America.
And it continues to build America today.
Across the country, factories are expanding. Supply chains are returning home. New technologies are creating opportunities that did not exist just a few years ago. Communities are rediscovering the economic strength and stability that manufacturing brings.
We are witnessing an American manufacturing renaissance. And this renaissance will not be driven by machines alone. It will be driven by people.
One of the greatest misconceptions about manufacturing is that it is only for certain people or certain stages of life. The reality is exactly the opposite.
Manufacturing offers opportunities for recent high school graduates entering the workforce for the first time. It offers meaningful careers for veterans transitioning into civilian life. It provides opportunities for experienced professionals seeking a second career or a new challenge. There is room for builders, creators, coders, designers, mechanics, problem-solvers, innovators, and entrepreneurs.
If you enjoy learning, improving, creating, fixing, or working with others to accomplish something meaningful, there is a place for you in manufacturing. There always has been.
And today’s manufacturing facilities are not the factories many people remember from decades ago. They are clean, highly technical, innovative environments where advanced technologies and human ingenuity work side by side. Artificial intelligence, robotics, automation, and digital technologies are transforming how we work, but they are not replacing the need for people. Operational excellence begins and ends with people. People make the difference.
As someone who spent years in shipbuilding and automotive manufacturing leadership, I have seen firsthand the pride that comes from standing beside something you helped create and knowing it will serve communities, strengthen our economy, support our national security, or improve lives for years to come.
That feeling never gets old. There is joy in making things. There is dignity in building something that matters. There is pride in manufacturing.
America’s manufacturing renaissance needs all of us. America’s manufacturing story is still being written, and the next chapter may very well belong to someone who has not yet discovered the incredible possibilities this profession offers. Because there has never been a better time to make things in America.
And there has never been a better time to be part of America’s manufacturing story.
Kim Humphrey is the President/CEO Association for Manufacturing Excellence (AME.Org).
The opinions expressed by columnists are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of AMAC or AMAC Action.
But who were the corrupt Politicians that exported our Manufacturing Job”s to Communist China ?
Excellent article Kim- the idea of the American Manufacturing Renaissance , great to think about. Having a sense of purpose living by a code of conduct, part of the spirit of being a skilled craftsman. The thought of an American Manufacturing Renaissance I do believe can be considered an extension of good character. I am 76.am going to keep writing about experiences fifty years ago brief , will just mention that I always chose to keep businesses connected to mechanical matters simple as possible ,not complex. Always thought that standards were important to have .An example would be the American Bureau of Shipping , the organization that wrote the standards for ship design and ship construction. Was a toolmaker, for most of my life . Built several wood boats as well. Recently most time and work effort has to do with the mathematics of chart and map projections. People don’t need to have as million dollars or even half that or a quarter of that amount to start making things. I always kept in mind the situation of Christ the Carpenter and other builders and craftsmen from that time.It is realistic to think about that era regarding having a pattern to look to maintain proper order concerning business/ work. endeavors. A respect for history should be at the foundation of an American Manufacturing Renaissance, whether it is about airplane or ship building , or tool and machine making that knowledge of history will put much in perspective.
So thankful for this article, as I so recall the North American Free trade agreement, in the nineties. How it was promoted by the then pols, who claimed we would have a market place that would be much less expensive than the markets in America, who was hindered by union memberships, taxes, and our nations regulations.
No one realized at the time, of the poor quality of products, like clothing and so many household products we had heretofore taken for granted.Now, since President Trump has added fairness to the imports, much of what wee get is soo inferior to even what we had been getting. From clothing to kitchen and home products. They just do not endure.
And not just manufacturing; its handmaiden trucking is under attack for many reasons, from many angles. Having ptsd since age of 13, trucking gave me a place to work thru issues and build skills and competencies I couldn’t have otherwise. Lots of people don’t do well when ‘confined’ and limited.
As a child I remember seeing Made in Mexico / Japan ; eventually Made in China., everywhere.
For many years now I have checked the “ Made in…” and if it doesn’t say USA or America it doesn’t make it into my cart. I am especially wary of food labels not only for my family but also my service dog.
I thank you for this article and the joy of manufacturing, the Accomplishment of creating-making- producing-working together do fill a person with pride and dignity. There is just something about manufacturing that makes one proud and worthy.
I looked long and hard to find a 250 hat that was actually made in America—I never found one that was actually made in America