Long ago, the term “manufacturing” was practically synonymous with assembly lines and less-than-ideal working conditions. Manufacturing jobs required intense physical labor and led to numerous on-the-job accidents.

Today, the manufacturing sector has only a faint resemblance to its origins. Most manufacturers rely on automated equipment to do the dirty work previously assigned to people. Assembly line workers have largely been replaced by highly skilled workers trained to handle complex high-tech machinery that makes the work more accurate, efficient and, above all, safe.

Like nearly all economic sectors, manufacturing has transformed itself to remain a leading sector in today’s global economy by incorporating technology in every part of its operation.

While other sectors may be incorporating technology into their day-to-day operations just for the purpose of keeping up with the increasingly global economy, the manufacturing sector has gone a step beyond.

It embraces cutting-edge technology as soon as it is available in order to lead the way into new economic territory. Through the use of everything from automated assembly lines to automated supply chain systems, manufacturers have truly ushered themselves into the 21st century.

“Manufacturing gives the nation its edge in research and development, contributing more than 60 percent of private investment and leading the way in implementing new technology,” said Archie Dunham of ConocoPhillips, who completed his term as chairman of the board of the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) in October 2003. “Manufacturing drives the innovation process that powers the U.S. economy to global leadership.”

The NAM, the nation’s largest industrial trade association, represents 14,000 members by helping shape legislation and regulatory guidelines in ways that are conducive to manufacturing growth and betterment. The NAM represents manufacturers and their employees across all industrial sectors. Most (10,000) of its members are small and medium-sized companies.

One significant way in which the NAM benefits its small and medium members is by offering them access to business connections that would otherwise be unavailable to them. One such connection is between NAM members and FedEx, the international shipping company that uses all modes of transportation around the globe.

As competition in business becomes increasingly fierce, the need to serve customers accurately, efficiently and, above all, quickly, has become critical. In some cases, it can make or break an entire business enterprise.

So NAM responded by creating its Freight Alliance Program to assist companies in receiving their raw materials and getting their products to market as quickly as possible. The NAM’s recent partnership with FedEx has transformed its Freight Alliance Program into a fully integrated program. FedEx now offers discounts to NAM members on air, ground and international shipping services.

FedEx is a high-tech giant in the shipping industry that uses technology resources to ensure packages get to their destinations in the promised amount of time.

“Even a small company like mine stands to benefit from the NAM-FedEx deal,” said Fletcher Steele, a NAM board member and president of the North Carolina-based Pine Hall Brick Co. “We’ll save an average of $4,000 to $5,000 every year by taking full advantage of this new alliance.”

Other freight shipping companies have also begun offering discounts to NAM members. Emery Forwarding, Yellow Transportation, Airborne Express and Mach 1 Air Services all offer discounted rates on multi-modal shipping. You can contact NAM at (202) 637-3110 to get information on how your company can receive these free benefits.

With automated tracking capabilities and flexible options, these companies all provide seamless service. Just as manufacturers rely on technology for their operations, they also rely on shipping companies that rely on technology for getting their packages to their destinations on time.

Shedding an Old Reputation

While manufacturing has evolved from a grungy, dangerous occupation reserved for unskilled workers with no desire for or expectations of upward mobility, its reputation has unfortunately failed to keep up.

To too many people, the thought of manufacturing jobs conjures up images of depressed workers manning heavy equipment in noisy, unclean facilities. This image couldn’t be farther from the truth, but how to convince the public of this?

NAM has striven to inform the public of the new, high-tech world of manufacturing through a host of public information programs, the most important of which target young people who have yet to choose an occupation.

GetTech is a program that educates young people about the manufacturing sector and encourages them to look at it as a career option. The program is a joint effort by The Center for Workforce Success, NAM’s educational and training affiliate, and the U.S. Department of Commerce and U.S. Department of Labor. It provides schools, trade associations, technical colleges and others with educational material designed to showcase the high-tech world of

manufacturing.

A cornerstone of the GetTech program is its effort to steer kids toward math and science classes. Where in the past manufacturing jobs required more brawn than brain, today they require more brain than brawn.

They require workers educated in math and science who can easily learn new high-tech techniques and processes. There is no part of manufacturing that has not been transformed by technology, so workers who lack technology skills comprise a very small percentage of manufacturing jobs.

“The need to train workers to be globally competitive is a strain on small and medium-sized companies, particularly as manufacturing is already struggling through its slowest recovery in a century,” said A.F. “Tony” Raimondo, chairman and CEO of Nebraska-based Behlen Manufacturing Co. “Unchecked, the shortfall could hobble our manufacturing competitiveness once the global economic recovery gets going. And since manufacturing accounts for more than 20 percent of U.S. GDP, the problem threatens the national economy.”

Once upon a time, manufacturers were what might be called “do-it-yourselfers.” Machinery was critical to their success, but bare hands did most of the work.

Now manufacturers hire out the work to high-tech processes that do the heavy work for them. That doesn’t mean manufacturers no longer need workers. Indeed they do. They just need a different kind of worker, one who is willing to embrace new technology and help make manufacturing increasingly efficient, safe and effective.

Ann Morris is a freelance business writer based in Kansas City, Kan.