Factories In U.S. Are Struggling To Fill Jobs

Craig Jones's biggest problem for years was winning new business for his family-run plastics company headquartered in Louisville, Ky.

- PAUL BERGER

Today, the challenge is finding workers to meet the company's growing order book as companies increasingly source more of their parts and products from the U.S.

"My biggest concern as we continue to restore business is, who's going to do the work?" said Jones, the chief executive of Jones Plastic & Engineering.

Jones Plastic has five factories in the U.S. and three plants in Mexico churning out door handles for refrigerators, spray arms for dishwashers, and washing machine doors for companies like Whirlpool and GE Appliances. The business is among many U.S. manufacturers that say they are struggling to find skilled workers to put a Made in America label on their goods.

U.S. factories employ about 13 million people. Plant owners are struggling to fill positions even as other sectors of the economy, such as transportation and warehousing, have recovered from pandemic-era labor shortages.

For most of 2024, the gap each month between manufacturing job openings and hirings has hovered at about 100,000 positions. More than 60% of employers in a recent survey by the National Association of Manufacturers said attracting and retaining talent is a top concern. The trade group forecasts the sector will need to fill 3.8 million roles over the next decade because of retirees leaving the industry and growing manufacturing demand.

Manufacturers are scrambling to fill positions as more companies are rethinking their supply chains and moving production out of Asia. A KPMG survey earlier this year found 73% of U.S.-based executives said their companies have brought or are bringing back more of their supply chains to the Americas because of geopolitical and economic uncertainty.