The Dayton Region Manufacturers Association (DRMA) advocates for the manufacturing industry in the Dayton Region, providing programming, education, and peer-to-peer connectivity opportunities for members serving the aerospace, agricultural, medical, construction, defense, and other markets. It represents over 200 manufacturers and has 340 member companies, including French.
DRMA conducts an annual survey to better understand the “hot button” issues affecting Manufacturer members. As a member company, French would like to share the DRMA 2021 Top Issues List to help spread the message for our industry. The survey did not specifically highlight COVID-19 as an individual issue, but several responses noted the impact. The following are the top manufacturing issues for 2021, according to the DRMA survey.
Shortage of Skilled Workers
The availability of technically skilled and productive workers continues to be the top challenge for Dayton Region manufacturers eight years running. Replacing the declining workforce is the priority for manufacturers to be able to meet the demand for goods and services and offer high quality, high paying jobs. DRMA members support initiatives that attract, retain, develop, and train our workforce.
Business Continuity and Recovery
DRMA members are focused on getting back to business levels they were experiencing before the COVID-19 pandemic. From recouping costs/losses, dealing with cash flow, and increasing sales volume, these business fundamentals are a high concern. Add the sudden volatility of their customers’ industries, continual competitive pricing pressures, and the shortage of supply chain resources, DRMA members are feeling an unforeseen financial impact that threatens the health of their organizations.
Government Assistance and New Business Requirements
DRMA members are concerned about how to stay open safely during the pandemic. Members support the availability of financial business assistance and are concerned about expanded employee leave regulations and the impact of the virtual workforce environment.
International Trade
This includes the effect of trade agreements, tariffs, and fair/free trade policy. DRMA members want a level playing field in international trade with as little volatility as possible.
Corporate Tax Rate and Complicated Tax Code
DRMA members support the concept that lower corporate tax rates encourage growth of industry and growth of employment. Therefore, DRMA members support reforms to the tax code to make it simpler and less burdensome.
Cost of Healthcare
DRMA members believe the high cost of healthcare adds an unrecoverable cost to their business and contributes to the decision to limit hiring. DRMA members support efforts that will address reform of the Affordable Healthcare Act to make it less of a burden for businesses.
Burden of Regulation on Business
DRMA members support the need for reasonable levels of regulation to protect both citizens and businesses. Regulations should be kept to a minimum, be simple to administer and comply, minimize burdensome and complex reporting requirements, and should have a clear and critical need. A clearer definition of “small business” needs to be addressed.
Legalization of Marijuana
DRMA members are concerned with the legalization of medical and recreational marijuana. Two concerns are workplace safety issues and the lack of impairment testing. Plus, legalization will increase costs for small manufacturers who need to rewrite policies. And, it will further complicate and exacerbate the problems of finding skilled workers.
Rising Issues
COVID-19 related issues: Increasing sales volume increased to 46% (35% in 2020); cash flow increased to 35% (0% in 2020); expanded employee leave regulations increased to 39% (0% in 2020).
Decreasing Issues
Shortage of quality/skilled workforce is still the top response for 2021 but dropped from 81% in 2020 to 66%. Reforming the Affordable Healthcare Act continues to decrease as a concern, dropping to 43% (54% in 2020, 63% in 2019). Opposing increases in the minimum wage dropped to 19% (24% in 2020). Impact of tariffs dropped to 2% (21% in 2020). For the past three years, unionization was not a top concern for respondents.
Discuss Manufacturing Issues or Inquire
Please contact us if you’d like to discuss any manufacturing issues or concerns you may have. We would be happy to help address your needs.