By embracing supply chain management within West Virginia’ s manufacturing industry, the state will not only benefit from industry and revenue growth but will be better able to accomplish the economic diversification it so strongly needs.
JAVIER REYES, PH. D.
The Supply Chain Advantage
By embracing supply chain management within West Virginia’ s manufacturing industry, the state will not only benefit from industry and revenue growth but will be better able to accomplish the economic diversification it so strongly needs.
There is no question that West Virginia should have a sense of urgency in diversifying its economy. There is also no question that the state is well acquainted with the industries that can help achieve that diversification. Among those industries is manufacturing and, in turn, supply chain management.
Decades ago, the state was well known for its manufacturing capabilities, from chemicals and wood products to glass, iron and aluminum. Now, as West Virginia looks to expand its capabilities beyond extractive industries, manufacturing and supply chain opportunities have presented themselves in the form of major companies locating within the state, as well as the development of advanced technology and knowledge. Technology has helped make supply chain an essential component of efficiently transporting goods and services to where there is demand for them as quickly as possible. All of these elements combined can spark a major manufacturing renaissance in the state.
Mountain State Advantages
According to Dr. John Deskins, director of the West Virginia University( WVU) Bureau of Business and Economic Research, it is critical to create investment and policy that make West Virginia attractive to the manufacturing industry.“ Manufacturing and supply chain represent opportunities to bring money into the state’ s economy and provide good jobs that entice residents to stay in West Virginia and encourage others to move here,” he says.
What benefits does West Virginia offer? Human capital. Geographic location. Knowledge. Natural gas abundance. These are all advantages with which the manufacturing and supply chain industries can flourish.
West Virginia’ s workforce has a reputation for its work ethic. A willing and available workforce is a major strength in the manufacturing and supply chain industries and can easily engage former participants in the extractive industries through renewed enthusiasm and by encouraging retraining. Geography is a two-fold advantage, as West Virginia sits within a day’ s drive of two-thirds of the U. S. population and rests atop two of the largest gas shales in the world. Knowledge and expertise surrounding manufacturing and supply chain, retraining and other industry components are readily available from sources such as higher education institutions, the West Virginia Manufacturers Association and manufacturers who have made a home in West Virginia.
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