I really think the only way we can remain competitive in certain industries like light/heavy manufacturing is to focus on robotics and less on labor/manpower.Great to see you here Randall!
Expanding on this, do you think it makes more sense to make physically larger goods here because of the logistics of moving such items?
I know you do well with items of all sizes. I have always just figured that physically larger stuff, with America as the final consumer destination, in particular is probably where American manufacturing is the most competitive.
It is akin to a 3rd world country making the decision to either bury thousands of miles of phone cable for hardline or just to construct cell towers and generate signals through the air.
What can we do to leapfrog manufacturing past low-cost labor intensive operations and develop AI assembling or other economical mass-production?
We need more than 'information only' champions in this country. We need world-class PRODUCERS and FABRICATORS to bring back our manufacturing, no matter if it is a Bic fountain pen or a Cessna Citation Latitude. We need to focus on figuring out how to deliver the end product with less labor because that is the primary difference between Western and Eastern manufacturing. It is no different than figuring out how to produce more energy with less energy. Scale manufacturing with less human parts. That is the only way we can win the war on our own turf.
Part of the equation is building THE STORY behind the brand. The story is as important as the product itself, because it is the brand. In fact, one can have a great story and a mediocre product. Having a great story coupled with an amazing (product) brand is a winner. Anything Made in the USA already has a head start for a great story...