2023 Manufacturing Report

MANUFACTURING INSIGHTS From November 2022 to the present, The Right Place met with over 200 manufacturing companies through in-person retention calls – structured meetings meant to gauge a company’s performance, identify pinch points, and connect them with the resources needed to thrive in Greater Grand Rapids. Through these conversations, we found the majority of manufacturers were seeing their staff grow, sales increase, with many predicting expansions in the coming years. The majority of companies are investing more dollars into training initiatives as a shortage of talent continues to impact the industry at large. Manufacturers identified talent attraction, development and retention, along with facility issues, as the primary barriers to growth.

55% of companies plan to expand

54% of companies are experiencing recruitment problems

8% plan to enter new industries Compared to 3% from Nov. ‘21 to Nov. ‘22

Compared to 52% from Nov. ‘21 to Nov. ‘22

Compared to 61% from Nov. ‘21 to Nov. ‘22

Source: RPI Retention Call Data

Greater Grand Rapids Sales Trends

Greater Grand Rapids Employment Trends

Investing In New Training

Increasing

Stable

Decreasing

1.1%

4.8%

4.4%

30.1%

40.7%

50.5%

44.7%

58.2%

65.5%

Source: RPI Retention Call Data

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