The evolution from manual methods to advanced techniques for creating goods and services has become a complex process, giving rise to a host of HR challenges in manufacturing.

The National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) paints a positive outlook for the U.S. manufacturing industry. NAM’s most recent data show that the manufacturing sector contributed about $2.18 trillion to the U.S. economy in 2016, accounting for 11.7 percent of GDP. This is a significant increase of almost half a trillion dollars from recession-stricken 2009.

A U.S. Census Bureau report also indicates that California is still home to the largest manufacturing sector. Among all the states, California had the highest number of manufacturing businesses at more than 38,000 in 2012, with about 1.2 million workers producing goods valued at more than $500 billion.

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