b'OUTLOOK FOR MANUFACTURERSSalaries and benefits stagnated before the pandemic, which made matters worse.By Alan Richter Patrick W. McGibbon, chief knowl-edge officer of The Association A long with many other indus- for Manufacturing Technology in tries, the pandemic slammedMcLean, Virginia. Orders were U.S. manufacturing, which wasntdown in 2019 compared with 2018, in top shape before the coronavi- which was a fantastic year.rus hit. He said although manufacturers Probably since late in the fourthoften had difficulty hiring workers quarter of 2018 through most ofwith required skills prior to the pan- be interested in manufacturing, but 2019, there was a stagnation in sal- demic, the challenge hasnt sub- they would need certain skills, par-ary and compensation, which oftensided now that tens of millions ofticularly for production. As a result, occurs when orders are on the trail- workers are unemployed and seek- many companies are juggling work-ing side of the business cycle, saiding jobs. People out of work mightforces to maintain the workers they ctemag.com/cteguide.com47IndyAnalysis.indd 47 7/22/20 10:38 AM'