5 Steps: How to Manufacture a Product

Being a manufacture of thousands of products, we have come across customers who have been in business just as long as we have and  the process of manufacturing products comes second nature. Then there is the customer who has all their ducks in a row, and it’s their first time actually creating their first prototype. But, then there’s the customer who has just come up with this great idea, and comes in with his idea written on a napkin. We’ve seen it all…literally. So we thought we would put this blog post together that will be a road map for those who either need some guidance into manufacturing their parts, who need assistance in where to start before getting parts manufactured, and a hand for those who are looking to bring their product back to the US and need some refreshers of working with US manufacturers. Continue reading

Manufacturing Industry: Skill Gap & Gender Gap

Women-in-ManufacturingOver the past 20 years, the manufacturing industry in the US has evolved greatly due to the increase in global and international business. Since companies have gone overseas for manufacturing to lessen labor and material costs, there has also been another shift taking place that no one really talks about. It is the shift involving job skills and gender, which has impacted the manufacturing industry as a whole just as outsourcing overseas has. Since manufacturing jobs have gone overseas in the last couple decades, there has been less of a demand for people to go out and  find manufacturing jobs, and less of a demand to get a degree in engineering or math. This has caused a huge shortage for companies who are seeking skilled workers to perform manufacturing jobs. As a metal fabricator, here at VIP, we can completely relate to this issue and being able to find skilled workers.

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