The column below reflects the views of the author, and these opinions are neither endorsed nor supported by WisOpinion.com.

For years, the story surrounding American manufacturing has been one of decline. We heard about factories closing, jobs moving overseas, and communities struggling to replace the industries that once defined them. That narrative is changing.

As executive chairman of QPS Employment Group, I spend every day talking with manufacturers across Wisconsin and the Midwest. Unlike economists looking at charts after the fact, our recruiters hear what’s happening in real time. We know when production lines are speeding up, when companies are adding shifts, and when employers begin asking for more workers.

Today, the message we’re hearing is encouraging. Manufacturing is making a comeback. The report backs up what employers have been telling us for months. U.S. manufacturing has expanded for six consecutive months. While growth moderated slightly in June, factories continue to report healthy levels of new orders and steady production, a sign that demand remains resilient despite ongoing economic uncertainty.

For Wisconsin, that’s especially good news. Manufacturing has always been part of our identity. From precision machining and industrial equipment to food processing and paper products, our state has built its reputation on making things. These industries don’t just create products; they create careers, support local businesses, and strengthen entire communities.

When manufacturing grows, everyone benefits. A busy factory means more truck drivers delivering materials. It means more warehouse employees moving inventory. It means more electricians, maintenance technicians, welders, engineers, accountants, and administrative professionals supporting those operations. The ripple effect extends well beyond the factory floor. That is why manufacturing matters so much to Wisconsin’s economy.

Several factors are contributing to today’s momentum. Companies continue to invest in domestic production. Businesses have learned valuable lessons from the supply chain disruptions of the past several years and increasingly recognize the importance of producing more goods closer to home. Investments in artificial intelligence, data centers, and advanced technologies are also fueling demand for equipment, components, and industrial products that American manufacturers are well positioned to produce. None of this means manufacturing has suddenly become easy.

Many employers continue to face rising material costs, uncertainty around interest rates, and the ongoing challenge of planning for changing global markets. Labor shortages also remain one of the biggest obstacles to continued growth.

One of the most surprising realities in today’s economy is that manufacturing demand is growing even as many companies struggle to find enough people to keep up. That challenge will not solve itself.

For decades, we have encouraged nearly every young person to pursue a four-year college degree while too often overlooking the tremendous opportunities available in the skilled trades and manufacturing careers.

The reality looks very different today. Modern manufacturing is clean, technology-driven, and increasingly sophisticated. Employees operate advanced robotics, program automated equipment, analyze production data, and work alongside cutting-edge technologies that continue to transform the industry. Many of these careers offer competitive wages, excellent benefits, and long-term stability without requiring massive student loan debt.

That is a message we need to do a better job of sharing with students, parents, and educators alike. Employers also have a responsibility.

The manufacturers succeeding today are not simply waiting for talent to walk through the door. They are investing in training, partnering with technical colleges, offering apprenticeships, improving workplace culture, and creating career paths that encourage employees to stay and grow within the organization.

Workforce development has become a competitive advantage. Wisconsin has always excelled because of its work ethic and entrepreneurial spirit. Those strengths remain just as valuable today as they were generations ago. Sustaining this manufacturing resurgence will require continued investment not only in equipment and facilities but also in people.

That means supporting technical education. It means expanding apprenticeship opportunities. It means helping veterans transition into manufacturing careers. It also means creating practical workforce solutions that allow businesses to fill critical positions while continuing to grow.

The encouraging news is that manufacturers remain optimistic. After several years marked by supply chain disruptions, inflation, and economic uncertainty, many employers are once again planning for growth rather than simply reacting to challenges. That shift in mindset matters because confidence often drives investment, hiring, and long-term expansion.

We are seeing that confidence firsthand. No one can predict exactly what the economy will look like a year from now. Manufacturing has always been cyclical, and challenges will inevitably emerge along the way. Still, the trajectory is moving in the right direction.

Wisconsin has an opportunity to build on that momentum by continuing to support the industries that have long been the backbone of our economy. If we invest in our workforce, embrace innovation, and ensure manufacturers have access to the talent they need, this comeback will not simply be a short-term rebound.

It can become the foundation for the next generation of American manufacturing success. That is something worth building.

Scott Mayer is executive chairman of QPS Employment Group.