Karen Norheim

A manufacturer of materials handling equipment finds itself on somewhat of a treadmill in finding skilled labour for shop positions, and industry research underscores the critical nature of the trend.

American Crane & Equipment Corp has 190 staff, manufactures cranes, hoists and specialised solutions in Douglassville and serves the same industry warehouse niche using forklifts, says Karen Norheim, executive vice president.

For internal materials handling needs, American Crane operates six forklift trucks with lifting capacities ranging from 5,000-9,000 lb. (2,250-4,050 kg). The equipment includes four Hysters, a Toyota and a Crown.

"We need to look to younger generations including Millennials (ages 18-32) to attract people to work for us," Norheim says, indicating a successful applicant needs a strong STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) background. "By encouraging young people to pursue jobs in STEM fields, we can help close the skills gap."

American Crane has provided plant tours for students from Exeter Township Senior High School in Reading, Pennsylvania and encouraged employees to advise them about opportunities in industry. "If we want to engage the Millennial generation, we need to work on the image manufacturing has," Norheim notes. "We need new talent on the plant floor, in the field and in management. Getting young people to look at manufacturing isn't easy."

Norheim sees social media as part of an outreach effort that includes YouTube.

"Over the next five years, I think we will have four or five people retiring from critical positions," Norheim says. "We must plan now."

In the research survey underscoring Norheim's observations, New York-based information and technology firm ThomasNet identified a shortage of young talent potentially impacting manufacturing sector expansion. The ThomasNet Industry Market Barometer research of nearly 500 small and mid-size US manufacturers found 49% are 55 or older and, upon retirement, 65% lack any succession plan.

"The good news is that manufacturing is more than in a comeback mode," says Linda Rigano, ThomasNet executive director for media relations.