“ Companies are going to continue to invest in a whole host of technologies ,” says Moutray . “ Robotics is important , as are autonomous technologies — not just vehicles but driverless forklifts and other machinery to move products around the shop floor . As telecommunications continue to invest in 5G technology , that ’ s something that can help enable even greater efficiencies on the shop floor . Augmented reality , the notion that you can look through some glasses and they ’ ll show you how to do something , is another possibility . There are many technologies that have a lot of potentially practical uses on the shop floor that companies will continue to invest in , not just to improve productivity but to help with on-the-job training .”
The shift to remote work is also seen at West Virginia-based manufacturing companies , where possible , while also establishing
social distancing protocols for essential employees who work on-site .
“ While many in manufacturing are frontline employees who observe social distancing , mask wearing and other safety protocols , those who work in administration or sales are able to work remotely ,” says McPhail . “ Manufacturers lead the way in making health and safety a top priority , and the COVID-19 pandemic is no different . Despite the challenges , manufacturing , an essential industry , adapted quickly to respond to pandemic protocols . We are pleased to report that there have been no outbreaks of significance to date in the facilities of our members .”
Despite these ongoing obstacles , NAM ’ s first-quarter 2021 Manufacturers Outlook Report shows an increase in optimism from manufacturers for the third straight quarter . The survey found that 87.6 % of manufacturers felt either somewhat or very positive about their company ’ s outlook . The number increased from 33.9 % in the second quarter of 2020 , which was the worst since the Great Recession . The report notes that this feedback suggests manufacturers had the strongest outlook in two years , since the first quarter of 2019 .
“ The economy is going to bounce back strongly ,” says Moutray . “ There are a lot of tailwinds helping us this year . There is a lot of pent-up demand in terms of both consumers and businesses as more Americans get vaccinated . You ’ re going to continue to see this rebound in spending as the year continues . Hopefully the unemployment rate will continue to fall . There are still a lot of people who are suffering , but there is movement in the right direction .” •
Marshall University ’ s Lewis College of Business and Brad D . Smith Schools of Business
CONGRATULATE PRESIDENT JEROME GILBERT and MARSHALL ALUM and LCOB ADVISORY BOARD MEMBER NORMAN MOSRIE
West Virginia Sharp Shooters and Sons of Marshall www . marshall . edu
64
WEST VIRGINIA EXECUTIVE