The State of U.S. Manufacturing

[charrison]

linkage

Let us begin with the bad news. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics:


The most recent peak for manufacturing employment occurred in March 1998, reaching 17.6 million.


Manufacturing employment declined 16 percent in 3 years, to 14.6 million Americans in July 2003 from 17.3 million in 2000.

It is important to remember that much of the change in industrial employment is an effect of changes in the classification of various jobs. Big companies used to do everything in house, so that people like janitors and accountants were classified as "manufacturing" workers simply because they worked for manufacturing companies. Over the years, such companies discovered that it was more economical to outsource such work. That is why "business services" is one of the fastest rising categories of employment in the United States.


In contrast to employment, industrial production has remained relatively strong. The Federal Reserve Board's industrial production index - which covers industrial sector output, capacity and capacity utilization - has fluctuated only slightly since 1998, despite a recession in the meantime.


In contrast to employment, industrial production has remained relatively strong. The Federal Reserve Board's industrial production index - which covers industrial sector output, capacity and capacity utilization - has fluctuated only slightly since 1998, despite a recession in the meantime.

Considering total goods production (including things like mining and agriculture in addition to manufacturing), real goods production as a share of real (inflation-adjusted) Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is close to its all-time high.


In the second quarter of 2003, real goods production was 39.2 percent of real GDP; the highest annual figure ever recorded was 40 percent in 2000. See the Figure.


By contrast, in the "good old days" of the 1940s, 1950s and 1960s, the United States actually produced far fewer goods as a share of total output, reaching 35.5 percent in the midst of World War II.

...

The best measure of comparative productivity levels is real GDP per employed person. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2002 the United States continued to lead the world in this category.


U.S. workers produced an average of $71,600 in output (in 1999 dollars), followed in a not-so-close second by Belgium, where each worker produced $64,100.



Japanese workers - renowned for their productivity - each produced just $51,600 and Korean workers produced even less: $34,600.

 

[dmcowen674]

"It is important to remember that much of the change in industrial employment is an effect of changes in the classification of various jobs."

Yep all those Burger Flippers fault, that's why they had to "re-classify" them back into Manufacturing.

 

[charrison]

Originally posted by: dmcowen674
"It is important to remember that much of the change in industrial employment is an effect of changes in the classification of various jobs."

Yep all those Burger Flippers fault, that's why they had to "re-classify" them back into Manufacturing.

Well I guess you did not read the entire article

In short, U.S. manufacturing is very healthy. There is absolutely no evidence whatsoever that we are becoming a nation of "hamburger flippers." The United States is producing more "things" than we have in almost every year for which we have data.

 

[dmcowen674]

Originally posted by: charrison

Originally posted by: dmcowen674
"It is important to remember that much of the change in industrial employment is an effect of changes in the classification of various jobs."

Yep all those Burger Flippers fault, that's why they had to "re-classify" them back into Manufacturing.

Well I guess you did not read the entire article

In short, U.S. manufacturing is very healthy. There is absolutely no evidence whatsoever that we are becoming a nation of "hamburger flippers." The United States is producing more "things" than we have in almost every year for which we have data.

True, you're right, there's more Walmart's popping up on every corner so it's all those Stock Boy jobs.

 

[charrison]

Originally posted by: dmcowen674

Originally posted by: charrison

Originally posted by: dmcowen674
"It is important to remember that much of the change in industrial employment is an effect of changes in the classification of various jobs."

Yep all those Burger Flippers fault, that's why they had to "re-classify" them back into Manufacturing.

Well I guess you did not read the entire article

In short, U.S. manufacturing is very healthy. There is absolutely no evidence whatsoever that we are becoming a nation of "hamburger flippers." The United States is producing more "things" than we have in almost every year for which we have data.

True, you're right, there's more Walmart's popping up on every corner so it's all those Stock Boy jobs.

So dave are you displeased with total volume of manufacturing output of the US, or are you displeased because that the output takes so few people to accomplish?

 

[dmcowen674]

Originally posted by: charrison

Originally posted by: dmcowen674

Originally posted by: charrison

Originally posted by: dmcowen674
"It is important to remember that much of the change in industrial employment is an effect of changes in the classification of various jobs."

Yep all those Burger Flippers fault, that's why they had to "re-classify" them back into Manufacturing.

Well I guess you did not read the entire article

In short, U.S. manufacturing is very healthy. There is absolutely no evidence whatsoever that we are becoming a nation of "hamburger flippers." The United States is producing more "things" than we have in almost every year for which we have data.

True, you're right, there's more Walmart's popping up on every corner so it's all those Stock Boy jobs.

So dave are you displeased with total volume of manufacturing output of the US, or are you displeased because that the output takes so few people to accomplish?

and why does it take so few people? Because it is a skeletal paper pushing crew in the U.S. taking the credit for Production done by 20 cent an hour slaves in other Countries.

Everyone not brainwashed have said the same thing, displeased with U.S. Companies claiming extreme GDP Output when the job was done overseas with overseas labor. That the Company is a U.S. Company on paper only. The Volume is a FRAUD and you know it. It should be changed to what it is GFP (Gross Foreign Product Output).

Take that away and you will see what we really have is a sham deck of trick cards.

 

[charrison]

Originally posted by: dmcowen674

Originally posted by: charrison

Originally posted by: dmcowen674

Originally posted by: charrison

Originally posted by: dmcowen674
"It is important to remember that much of the change in industrial employment is an effect of changes in the classification of various jobs."

Yep all those Burger Flippers fault, that's why they had to "re-classify" them back into Manufacturing.

Well I guess you did not read the entire article

In short, U.S. manufacturing is very healthy. There is absolutely no evidence whatsoever that we are becoming a nation of "hamburger flippers." The United States is producing more "things" than we have in almost every year for which we have data.

True, you're right, there's more Walmart's popping up on every corner so it's all those Stock Boy jobs.

So dave are you displeased with total volume of manufacturing output of the US, or are you displeased because that the output takes so few people to accomplish?

and why does it take so few people? Because it is a skeletal paper pushing crew in the U.S. taking the credit for Production done by 20 cent an hour slaves in other Countries.

Everyone not brainwashed have said the same thing, displeased with U.S. Companies claiming extreme GDP Output when the job was done overseas with overseas labor. That the Company is a U.S. Company on paper only. The Volume is a FRAUD and you know it. It should be changed to what it is GFP (Gross Foreign Product Output).

Take that away and you will see what we really have is a sham deck of trick cards.

Care to provide some proof to these claims?

 

[dmcowen674]

Originally posted by: charrison

Originally posted by: dmcowen674

Originally posted by: charrison

Originally posted by: dmcowen674

Originally posted by: charrison

Originally posted by: dmcowen674
"It is important to remember that much of the change in industrial employment is an effect of changes in the classification of various jobs."

Yep all those Burger Flippers fault, that's why they had to "re-classify" them back into Manufacturing.

Well I guess you did not read the entire article

In short, U.S. manufacturing is very healthy. There is absolutely no evidence whatsoever that we are becoming a nation of "hamburger flippers." The United States is producing more "things" than we have in almost every year for which we have data.

True, you're right, there's more Walmart's popping up on every corner so it's all those Stock Boy jobs.

So dave are you displeased with total volume of manufacturing output of the US, or are you displeased because that the output takes so few people to accomplish?

and why does it take so few people? Because it is a skeletal paper pushing crew in the U.S. taking the credit for Production done by 20 cent an hour slaves in other Countries.

Everyone not brainwashed have said the same thing, displeased with U.S. Companies claiming extreme GDP Output when the job was done overseas with overseas labor. That the Company is a U.S. Company on paper only. The Volume is a FRAUD and you know it. It should be changed to what it is GFP (Gross Foreign Product Output).

Take that away and you will see what we really have is a sham deck of trick cards.

Care to provide some proof to these claims?

Just ask the 3 million Americans out of work, oh that's right you along with Bush, Rush, Hannity, Coulter and CAD & Co say they're all but a handful working, stupid me. 😕

 

[Ferocious]

I work for a world wide manufacturing company.

And I can tell you that here in Ohio, productivity is up, the number of good paying jobs has decreased dramatically, and the number of lower paying jobs has increased somewhat.

The quality of products leaving the plants has also taken a significant downturn. It's disturbing what management will allow out the door for the sake of numbers.

 

[dmcowen674]

Originally posted by: Ferocious
I work for a world wide manufacturing company.

And I can tell you that here in Ohio, productivity is up, the number of good paying jobs has decreased dramatically, and the number of lower paying jobs has increased somewhat.

The quality of products leaving the plants has also taken a significant downturn. It's disturbing what management will allow out the door for the sake of numbers.

Thanks Ferocious, the race to the bottom continues.

 

[Sahakiel]

Originally posted by: dmcowen674


Just ask the 3 million Americans out of work, oh that's right you along with Bush, Rush, Hannity, Coulter and CAD & Co say they're all but a handful working, stupid me. 😕

Do you have any idea what fractional unemployment is?

 

[Insane3D]

I predict this thread turns into nested quote hell between Dave and charrison. Look at all the nested quotes we have already, and they were the only ones in the thread...

😉

 

[dmcowen674]

Originally posted by: Insane3D
I predict this thread turns into nested quote hell between Dave and charrison. Look at all the nested quotes we have already, and they were the only ones in the thread...

😉

No it won't he's too busy going out there trying to find all those Unemployed Americans and he will come back on and say he couldn't find any for his Fearless Liar.

 

[Insane3D]

I was actually directing that more at charrison as he seems to forget there is a plain "reply" button in addition to the "quote" button. 😉

:beer:


PS - See how I replied to Dave with needing to quote him?!?! AMAZING!!!

😉

 

[AlienCraft]

Buy American Made products. Tell the store keeper you will not buy any Chinese product
This nation needs to learn that lowest price isn't always a good thing.
Increased productivity actually equates to longer working hours, less worker time with family and the subsequent decay in social order that results.

 

[Sahakiel]

Originally posted by: AlienCraft
Buy American Made products. Tell the store keeper you will not buy any Chinese product
This nation needs to learn that lowest price isn't always a good thing.
Increased productivity actually equates to longer working hours, less worker time with family and the subsequent decay in social order that results.

All hail the mighty arguments bandied about in the late 19th century. Explain how this applies after the Industrial Revolution has already passed.



Wait, now that I look more closely, it seems your statement is economic suicide. You want Americans to buy American-made products at what will almost certainly be higher prices, but you want the American manufacturers to pull shorter hours and produce less product and drive up prices even more? In every economic system, there is no free lunch. Somebody somewhere has to pay for it. What you're advocating is having the US economy pay more for producing less instead of paying less and having someone else produce more.

 

[CADsortaGUY]

Originally posted by: dmcowen674

Originally posted by: Ferocious
I work for a world wide manufacturing company.

And I can tell you that here in Ohio, productivity is up, the number of good paying jobs has decreased dramatically, and the number of lower paying jobs has increased somewhat.

The quality of products leaving the plants has also taken a significant downturn. It's disturbing what management will allow out the door for the sake of numbers.

Thanks Ferocious, the race to the bottom continues.

So why do you think we need more of these manufacturing jobs then dave? If they are just "bottom" type jobs - how can people live? But I think you already understand this from the China manufacturing division of Zoom.😉

CkG

 

[dmcowen674]

Originally posted by: CADkindaGUY

Originally posted by: dmcowen674

Originally posted by: Ferocious
I work for a world wide manufacturing company.

And I can tell you that here in Ohio, productivity is up, the number of good paying jobs has decreased dramatically, and the number of lower paying jobs has increased somewhat.

The quality of products leaving the plants has also taken a significant downturn. It's disturbing what management will allow out the door for the sake of numbers.

Thanks Ferocious, the race to the bottom continues.

So why do you think we need more of these manufacturing jobs then dave? If they are just "bottom" type jobs - how can people live? But I think you already understand this from the China manufacturing division of Zoom.😉

CkG

Of course you're right, we don't need no stinking manufacturing jobs, we'll just depend on the rest of the world for everything, brilliant.

 

[charrison]

Originally posted by: dmcowen674

Originally posted by: CADkindaGUY

Originally posted by: dmcowen674

Originally posted by: Ferocious
I work for a world wide manufacturing company.

And I can tell you that here in Ohio, productivity is up, the number of good paying jobs has decreased dramatically, and the number of lower paying jobs has increased somewhat.

The quality of products leaving the plants has also taken a significant downturn. It's disturbing what management will allow out the door for the sake of numbers.

Thanks Ferocious, the race to the bottom continues.

So why do you think we need more of these manufacturing jobs then dave? If they are just "bottom" type jobs - how can people live? But I think you already understand this from the China manufacturing division of Zoom.😉

CkG

Of course you're right, we don't need no stinking manufacturing jobs, we'll just depend on the rest of the world for everything, brilliant.

Well you may depend on that for your livelyhood, but manufacturing data suggests otherwise.

 

[charrison]

Originally posted by: dmcowen674

Originally posted by: Insane3D
I predict this thread turns into nested quote hell between Dave and charrison. Look at all the nested quotes we have already, and they were the only ones in the thread...

😉

No it won't he's too busy going out there trying to find all those Unemployed Americans and he will come back on and say he couldn't find any for his Fearless Liar.

I am not denying that manufacturing is employing few people. That seems to be quite obvious, i am saying manufacturing output is not in trouble in this country. Higher productivity is requiring fewer works to produce more.

 

[Bowfinger]

Originally posted by: Ferocious
I work for a world wide manufacturing company.

And I can tell you that here in Ohio, productivity is up, the number of good paying jobs has decreased dramatically, and the number of lower paying jobs has increased somewhat.

Speaking of which, there was an article about the Presedential race in Ohio on the NBC news tonight. They mentioned Ohio has lost over 250,000 manufacturing jobs since Bush took office.

 

[charrison]

Originally posted by: Ferocious
I work for a world wide manufacturing company.

And I can tell you that here in Ohio, productivity is up, the number of good paying jobs has decreased dramatically, and the number of lower paying jobs has increased somewhat.

The quality of products leaving the plants has also taken a significant downturn. It's disturbing what management will allow out the door for the sake of numbers.

Let me guess more automation run by fewer lower skilled people making less money?


Low quality does suck however...

 

[Sahakiel]

Hm... interesting scenario :

If all of a sudden outsourcing became a big enough issue consumers bought goods only manufactured in America, then it's obvious our beloved faceless corporations be forced to do away with outsourcing to foreign shores. While it may be nice in the short run to suddenly have all these jobs open up, I don't think it would take long for those new jobs to be replaced by newly developed robots specifically designed to replace said workers. At that point, we're back to square one except that the US economy loses its position as a global economic power.

 

[CADsortaGUY]

Originally posted by: Sahakiel
Hm... interesting scenario :

If all of a sudden outsourcing became a big enough issue consumers bought goods only manufactured in America, then it's obvious our beloved faceless corporations be forced to do away with outsourcing to foreign shores. While it may be nice in the short run to suddenly have all these jobs open up, I don't think it would take long for those new jobs to be replaced by newly developed robots specifically designed to replace said workers. At that point, we're back to square one except that the US economy loses its position as a global economic power.

I go to work every day to help increase productivity(and maintain them too😉 in various areas of industry. People used to husk corn by hand. Pioneer(now Dupont), Garst, and the others now have automated husking machines that can be controlled by one person. In one plant I helped design, program and actually built the panels for the controls for 6 of the huskers(they'll totally automate the other side next year) so that one person can control them from one station instead of having to manually start/stop each one. Should these companies not make these sorts of advances and go back to manually husking corn? More people would be employed in "manufacturing"- no?
Robots and the productivity they gain us creates other jobs...like mine😀 I would rather sit behind a computer and be a designer than husking corn by hand - how about you?
Also, people used to have to manual pick products and load pallets of food stuffs but now at one plant we do work for it's almost all automated. Would you rather stack boxes or sit at the controls? I know what I'd choose(because I used to stack pallets by hand😉)

The simple fact is that it takes less people to produce the same amount of product anymore. But it has created MANY jobs(such as mine) to replace those "manufacturing" jobs.

CkG

 

[SuperTool]

The state of US manufacturing is
:music: Tadada-tada... I'm Loving It :music: