{"id":628,"date":"2014-04-01T13:33:45","date_gmt":"2014-04-01T20:33:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.plm.automation.siemens.com\/t5\/Siemens-PLM-Corporate-Blog\/Future-of-Motor-City-Manufacturing\/ba-p\/335223"},"modified":"2026-03-26T11:29:21","modified_gmt":"2026-03-26T15:29:21","slug":"future-of-motor-city-manufacturing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/news\/future-of-motor-city-manufacturing\/","title":{"rendered":"Future of Motor City Manufacturing"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><P>Automation World\u2019s David Greenfield recently shared <A href=\"http:\/\/www.automationworld.com\/reasons-us-manufacturings-upswing\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">Reasons for U.S. Manufacturing\u2019s Upswing<\/A>, insights from a Kiplinger report. He noted that industries that require more advanced technology and&nbsp; processing \u2013 like aviation, auto making, biotechnology and industrial machinery are likely to stay put.<BR \/><\/P><BLOCKQUOTE>\u201cThe relative cost of producing in the U.S. versus overseas is declining; productivity improvements due to automation are shearing per-unit labor costs in the U.S. while wages elsewhere in the world increase; domestic energy supplies are abundant; fewer worries about intellectual property and technology theft; more timely deliveries; political stability; and legal and regulatory systems that are clearer and more easily navigated.\u201d<\/BLOCKQUOTE><BR \/><A title=\"2014 Automotive Summit by Siemens PLM Software, on Flickr\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/31274959@N08\/13278159394\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\"><IMG class=\"alignright\" style=\"margin: 2px\" alt=\"2014 Automotive Summit, softwarerev\" src=\"https:\/\/farm8.staticflickr.com\/7073\/13278159394_d29cf95d30.jpg\" width=\"500\" height=\"333\" \/><\/A><BR \/>It\u2019s against that backdrop that we\u2019ve been having a series of conversations on the <I>Software Revolution in Manufacturing.<\/I> Last month we talked about <A href=\"http:\/\/blog.industrysoftware.automation.siemens.com\/blog\/2014\/02\/27\/training-the-next-generation-of-technical-rock-stars\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">training the next generation of technical rock stars<\/A> in Ohio. This month&nbsp;<A href=\"http:\/\/blog.industrysoftware.automation.siemens.com\/motor-city-software-revolution\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">the conversation moved to the Motor City, Michigan<\/A>.<BR \/><BR \/><A href=\"http:\/\/inr.synapticdigital.com\/siemens\/softwarerevolution\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">View some of the video and photo highlights on our interactive news release<\/A>. Here are some of my notes from the event for a bit more of the discussion. Industry, academic and political leaders shared some stats and commentary about the future of manufacturing and future workforce:<BR \/><UL><BR \/>\t<LI>Future of Manufacturing: There is $1.8 trillion USD on the balance sheets \u2013 so this is the right time for manufacturing investment.<\/LI><BR \/>\t<LI>Future of Manufacturing: The U.S. government spends less than 3 percent on R&amp;D<\/LI><BR \/>\t<LI>Future of Manufacturing: More than $100 billion in new manufacturing investments are underway or being planned.<\/LI><BR \/>\t<LI>Future Workforce: According to a recent report by the World Economic Forum, 10 million manufacturing jobs around the globe are currently un-filled due to a growing skills gap.<\/LI><BR \/>\t<LI>Future Workforce: The U.S. Chamber of Commerce notes there are more than 3 million jobs unfilled in America due to a skills gap despite high unemployment levels.<\/LI><BR \/>\t<LI>Future Workforce: Just 40 percent of graduates are ready to work on day one, and companies have to supplement their training. 50 percent have the problem-solving skills needed by industry.<\/LI><BR \/><\/UL><BR \/>That last bullet highlights the skills\/training gap we\u2019re working to close as well as the need for more real-world problems, projects and competitions. Read more at Siemens PLM Software CEO <A href=\"http:\/\/news.usa.siemens.biz\/blog\/developing-next-gen-skilled-workforce-ensure-michigan-can-take-advantage-manufacturings-softwar\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">Chuck Grindstaff\u2019s executive blog post<\/A>.<BR \/><BR \/><A title=\"2014 Automotive Summit by Siemens PLM Software, on Flickr\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/31274959@N08\/13563926224\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\"><IMG class=\"alignright\" style=\"margin: 2px\" alt=\"2014 Automotive Summit\" src=\"https:\/\/farm4.staticflickr.com\/3770\/13563926224_9cbe77646f.jpg\" width=\"500\" height=\"303\" \/><\/A><BR \/><BR \/>Chuck emphasized to the audience in Detroit the role software plays in modernizing manufacturing both from an infrastructure standpoint and in changing the image of manufacturing in the minds of the future workforce. He announced our latest <A href=\"http:\/\/www.plm.automation.siemens.com\/en_us\/about_us\/newsroom\/press\/press_release.cfm?Component=221599&amp;ComponentTemplate=822\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">in-kind software grant to Mott Community College<\/A>.<BR \/><BR \/>This was an interesting grant to work on. We\u2019ve been having discussions with several schools on moving beyond just a CAD software focus and consider implementing more PLM training. We\u2019ve seen this work successfully in places like <A href=\"https:\/\/www.iwcc.edu\/academic_programs\/program.asp?id=designtechaas\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">Iowa Western Community College<\/A>. As Mott was reviewing its program and industry demand they had sudden increase in data management training.<BR \/><BR \/>Dr. Richard Shaink, president of Mott, noted they are taking more of a systems approach to training at Mott to provide the technical talent pipeline needed by Michigan manufacturers.<BR \/><BR \/>Nigel Francis, Senior Vice President, Automotive Industry Office, State of Michigan, noted the state needs to be more \u201cloud and proud\u201d of the tech talent in Michigan, where he emphasized they are training \u201csuper technicians.\u201d<BR \/><BR \/><A title=\"Allison Stephens of Ford by Siemens PLM Software, on Flickr\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/31274959@N08\/13277791943\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\"><IMG class=\"alignleft\" style=\"margin: 2px\" alt=\"Allison Stephens of Ford\" src=\"https:\/\/farm3.staticflickr.com\/2877\/13277791943_b25a6e0e6f.jpg\" width=\"266\" height=\"400\" \/><\/A><BR \/><BR \/>One of the customers who presented at our event in Detroit was ergonomics guru Allison Stephens of Ford. She shared with the audience that \u201cwhat we are investing in is the right thing.\u201d She shared how Ford uses software for ergonomics and <A href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=L2iOKIdONoE\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">planning the manufacturing jobs of the future in Ford plants<\/A>. She noted how the \u201csoftware becomes the communication tool.\u201d Here is more of the story in Forbes: <A href=\"http:\/\/www.forbes.com\/sites\/unify\/2014\/03\/31\/ford-pilots-a-new-virtual-assembly-plant-to-build-its-cars\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">Ford Pilots a New Virtual Assembly Plant to Built its Cars<\/A>.&nbsp;Greenfield also just published an article on Intosite: <A href=\"http:\/\/www.automationworld.com\/operations\/ford-uses-google-earth-manufacturing-collaboration\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">Ford uses Google Earth for Manufacturing Collaboration<\/A>.<BR \/><BR \/>Last but not least was a panel discussion with Focus: Hope, Flint and Tinder, and Automation Alley. They provided three very diverse approaches to manufacturing in the U.S. <A href=\"http:\/\/www.focushope.edu\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">Focus: Hope<\/A> is a non-profit focused on manufacturing and education to end poverty. <A href=\"http:\/\/www.flintandtinderusa.com\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">Flint and Tinder<\/A> is an American manufactured clothing company. <A href=\"http:\/\/www.automationalley.com\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">Automation Alley<\/A> is a business accelerator in Southeast Michigan.<BR \/><BR \/><A style=\"font-size: 13px\" title=\"Future of Manufacturing Panel by Siemens PLM Software, on Flickr\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/31274959@N08\/13277902694\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\"><IMG class=\"alignright\" style=\"margin: 2px\" alt=\"Future of Manufacturing Panel\" src=\"https:\/\/farm4.staticflickr.com\/3762\/13277902694_d1c6ffc8ba.jpg\" width=\"500\" height=\"332\" \/><\/A>Focus: Hope\u2019s William Jones noted students with the right aptitude can go from a GED to nuclear engineer. Flint and Tinder\u2019s Jake Bronstein shared <A href=\"http:\/\/www.thebluelaceproject.com\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">The Bluelace Project<\/A>. He noted that there are probably 15-17 hands that touch those shoelaces \u2013 probably more than a car door so there is much to learn from the software and automation in the automotive industry. Automation Alley\u2019s Ken Rogers discussed Michigan as one of the 15 manufacturing hubs in the country. Their new <A href=\"http:\/\/www.automationalley.com\/page?pageid=a0E6000000ADjn4\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">PLM Center at Oakland University<\/A> provide software training and certification as well as pathway to a degree program.<BR \/><BR \/><A href=\"http:\/\/www.automationalley.com\/a2_nws_newsdetail?id=a0M6000000GHL5wEAH\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">Automation Alley just released last week its Technology Industry Report<\/A>. A few interesting stats:<BR \/><UL><BR \/>\t<LI>Tech industry employment in metro Detroit is up 15 percent (Silicon Valley shows a 4 percent drop).<\/LI><BR \/>\t<LI>Schools in the metro Detroit region graduated more students in the areas of engineering and engineering technology than any other region in the study<\/LI><BR \/>\t<LI>Michigan leads the nation in the advanced automotive industry, with a concentration of employment in metro Detroit that is 6 times the national average<\/LI><BR \/><\/UL><BR \/>&nbsp;<BR \/><BR \/>Greenfield summarized our event in <A href=\"http:\/\/www.automationworld.com\/industry-business\/its-not-skills-gap\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">It\u2019s not a Skills Gap<\/A>. As the discussion above showed, if we get our software into the hands of the right community schools and train for specific \u201csuper technicians\u201d or \u201ctechnical rock star\u201d rolls, the gap will narrow and this software revolution will result in jobs in Michigan and the U.S.<BR \/><BR \/>Stay tuned to the <A href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/search?q=%23softwarerev&amp;src=typd\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">#SoftwareRev<\/A> conversation and see where it takes us in April&#8230;<BR \/><BR \/>&#8211; Dora<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Automation World\u2019s David Greenfield recently shared Reasons for U.S. Manufacturing\u2019s Upswing, insights from a Kiplinger report. He noted that industries that require more advanced technology and&amp;nbsp&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":61893,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"spanish_translation":"","french_translation":"","german_translation":"","italian_translation":"","polish_translation":"","japanese_translation":"","chinese_translation":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[102,1],"tags":[19],"industry":[],"product":[326],"coauthors":[],"class_list":["post-628","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-events","category-news","tag-academic","product-teamcenter"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/628","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/61893"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=628"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/628\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":629,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/628\/revisions\/629"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=628"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=628"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=628"},{"taxonomy":"industry","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/industry?post=628"},{"taxonomy":"product","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/product?post=628"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=628"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}