Manufacturing Slowly Making A Comeback In The Triad

Manufacturing – that broad industry sector that was once the pillar of the Triad economy – is slowly making a comeback. The jobs are different, and they aren't as plentiful. But more companies are finding reasons to make things in this region and not overseas.  

Katie Arcieri, a reporter with the Triad Business Journal, writes about the industry's growth and challenges in her cover story in this week's newspaper. She says, “In 1990 there were 150,000 manufacturing jobs in the region. Today there is about 90,000, but over the past couple of years we have had more than a dozen manufacturers make major job announcements in the Triad." 

“The industries that are growing are furniture, yarn, computer/computer assembly and heavy equipment.  A lot of companies say they are seeing a big demand for customized products and they want to be able to deliver them to their customers faster.”

But during her interview with Justin Catanoso, Arcieri says finding the people needed to fill these manufacturing positions isn't as easy as you would think.

The Business Report on 88.5 WFDD is a partnership with the Triad Business Journal. You'll find Katie Arcieri's story and more breaking business news at Triad.Bizjournals.com.

Justin Catanoso is director of the Journalism program at Wake Forest University and a regular contributor to 88.5 WFDD.