I read a great post on X the other day and I’ll highlight what’s at stake. More importantly, before I share these notes, take a moment to pass this post on to someone who is in the market for a new job or perhaps about to graduate college or study a new field. They will not regret reading this:
The Potential in U.S. Manufacturing:
- Factories disappearing:
- 295,000 manufacturers (2001) → 220,000 (2023) → -25% decline
- Machine shops down 22% in 10 years; 50% could close in next 5–10
- Aging owners and no successors:
- Avg. shop owner: 60 years old
- 53% plan to retire within 6 years
- 67% have no succession plan
- Workforce erosion:
- Machinist workforce shrinking 12% by 2032
- Over 30% of fabrication workers near retirement
- Aging equipment:
- 65% of shops use pre-2005 CNC machines
- 50% use machines 20+ years old
The Numbers:
- 1.5 million manufacturing jobs at risk over 15 years
- $500 billion in U.S. output could vanish by 2040
- Imports of precision parts up 30% → more foreign dependence
- Threat to defense, aerospace, automotive supply chains
The Opportunity:
- Tens of thousands of factories will need successors
- Many will shut down
- Many will sell cheap
- Most are ripe for transformation
- Software meets physical world:
- Young people with software skills have an edge
- Learn to operate, automate, and optimize manufacturing
- Pathways:
- Get a job in a shop or factory
- Learn hands-on skills
- Eventually acquire or start your own shop (5–10 year view)
Final Advice:
“Just go inside a factory.”
No funding or plan needed. Visit. Observe. Talk. Learn.Huge shout out to Zane Hengsperger for writing Young Talented People: Get In The Factory
Go read it.
More importantly, do not forget to share this with someone looking for something new in their life.