The past year has been a whirlwind of economic and technological activity, and a period of growth at the Southwest Regional Manufacturers Association (SRMA). Has it all been good? Depends on who you ask!
Let’s address the elephant in the room and buzz word of the year, tariffs. Some manufacturers love the concept, others not-so-much. Some are feeling positive effects – increased sales due to onshoring efforts and are expanding production to accommodate. Others, however, have faced challenges such as unstable and rising raw material prices, leading to lost business and tightened budgets. Despite these hurdles, manufacturers are united in their desire for a positive outcome, though the journey to get there is causing many headaches. The key is to plan for various scenarios, ensuring readiness to act swiftly when needed.
Next on the list is artificial intelligence (AI). While AI has been around for some time, its impact has surged over the past year. Tools like ChatGPT, CoPilot, and Gemini have become mainstream, enabling users to complete tasks more efficiently. There is a fear that AI might replace human jobs, but initially, people who harness AI for increased productivity will replace those who do not. Manufacturers must embrace AI on the shop floor to boost productivity, a crucial KPI for profitability.
In our region, there has been a strong focus on expanding manufacturing education, a catalyst for attracting high-tech careers to Southwest Florida. Initiatives like the new CNC Machining program at Fort Myers Technical College and the Space Florida Academy Program at Charlotte County High Schools are prime examples. Over the years, I've learned that skilled workers must be available for manufacturers to move to a region, not the other way around.
At the SRMA, we've welcomed Allison Evanitz as our Membership Experience Manager, dedicated to reaching more manufacturers in our region and ensuring we provide the services and benefits our members need. Our Business Advisor, Pavel Kuviarzin, has been busy evaluating applicants for the Small and Large Manufacturer of the Year Award in partnership with Lee County EDO and the Horizon Foundation. This new process of determining finalists and winners brings benefits to all applicants, providing a comprehensive analysis for each manufacturer. This is in addition to bringing valuable training and operational resources to the manufacturers and finding funding to assist with those costs. We continue to offer plant tours at our member facilities, sharing best practices for all manufacturers to use, no matter what they make. Lastly, as referenced above with AI adoption, automation will also be a key focus for the SRMA. Revenue per employee is the primary metric we’ll be looking at, and encouraging our members to do the same.
The SRMA is here to assist with any of these topics and more. Let us know how we can help. For membership, event, and resource information, please visit www.srma.net, or email exec@srma.net. Join the SRMA today!
- Rob Harris has been serving as the SRMA’s Executive Director since June 2021. The SRMA is a part of the FloridaMakes network.