Welcome to Manufacturing Minute!

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🚨In the News

Manufacturing dropped another 12,000 jobs in August. Fourth straight month of losses. That's 78,000 jobs gone in a year, down to 12.7 million workers total. Transportation equipment got hit hardest with 14,500 cuts. John Deere just announced 238 more layoffs in Iowa, blaming soft demand and $300M in tariff costs.

The Center for American Progress points to tariff uncertainty, immigration crackdowns, and renewable energy tax credit changes as culprits.

Maybe we should zoom out.

The macro forces crushing manufacturers right now? Policy whiplash, supply chain chaos, and a workforce caught in the middle of bad decisions made in boardrooms and Capitol Hill.

We can do better. We have to.

(Mind the gap.)

🏭 Manufacturing Minute

I had the chance to visit Cobra MOTO, LLC  in Hillsdale, Michigan and the Lear Corporation seating plant in Flint, Michigan this week.

It was part of JETRO - Japan External Trade Organization Centrepolis Accelerator, a team assisting Japanese startups engage with US businesses. And I was truly impressed by what I experienced.

At each site, what really struck me wasn’t the technology. It was the way they think about people and innovation.

Most people know Cobra MOTO for building small, high-performance engines for kids’ bikes, but what impressed me is how they’re now expanding into entirely new markets like drones by leaning on that same expertise.

At Cobra, side projects aren’t just tolerated, they’re encouraged.

Employees are supported to experiment, to be entrepreneurial, and even to start related businesses. Instead of competing with Cobra, those ventures end up feeding into a stronger, more creative, more resilient supply chain around them.

I’ve toured a lot of manufacturers, but I’ve rarely seen a model like this.

It’s not just about building great products… it’s about building an ecosystem of innovation.

The result is a culture where employees feel empowered, ideas flourish, and the business keeps leaping forward into new opportunities.

Then, at Lear Corporation, the level of automation and technology at the plant was undeniably remarkable.

However, what truly stood out was the exceptional treatment of their employees and the empowerment of their workforce.

This was evident in the culture, team interactions, and the evident pride among the staff.

The plant was quiet, comfortable, clean… just a pleasant environment that welcomed you.

One particular aspect that caught my attention was the attention given to the bathrooms.

Unlike many plants, they were designed and maintained with a level of care and comfort reminiscent of high-end rest stops or restaurants. This seemingly small detail sparked a thought - why don't more facilities prioritize such basic elements of dignity and comfort?

Both of these experiences served as a poignant reminder that operational excellence goes beyond machinery and performance metrics.

It is often the everyday environment and the consideration shown in minor details that truly make a significant impact.

Thanks for opening your plant to us, the gracious hospitality, and showing another example of what modern manufacturing is all about!

P.S., Whether you're trying to make sense of Industry 4.0, struggling with legacy systems, or just need a sounding board from someone who's navigated similar waters, let's talk. Book Your 30-Minute Strategy Call →