Build and deliver

Keep the long term in perspective

Two years ago, few manufacturers were prepared for the
recession. But you can prepare for the ascension, however slow and modest it
might be and whenever it does become more noticeable, by being smart during
these coming months and years.

You might think about diversifying your product lines into
other markets so you aren’t as dependent on single-source customers and, more
generally, diversifying your portfolio. You might also research how to best tap
in to loans, grants or tax credits that are available from various departments
of federal, state and local government. And you will likely want to consider
your risks, especially over the long term.

“I do see companies starting from scratch and asking
themselves, ‘Are we doing everything as efficiently as possible, with the right
number of people, keeping quality in line, keeping all the other factors in
mind? And what is it we can do better?’” Johnson says.

Technology and education, as would be expected, can also play a
role in increasing your business. Several experts discussed how the advantage
of U.S. companies is U.S. technology. Domestic manufacturers continue to be at
the forefront when it comes to utilizing technology in their processes. To
ensure that the technology is operated correctly and efficiently, workers
should be more educated than they were 40, 20, even 10 years ago, and with so many
quality workers still unemployed, there is a deep talent pool from which to
hire.

Most important, though, is to do everything with the long term
— and that refers to years and decades, not just months and quarters — in mind.