Jeff Imes
MEA President & Chairman Editor
(WP Hickman - Chief Operating Officer)
Telephone:828-274-4000
Email: jeff@wph.com

Twenty of MEA's member manufacturers have participated in this survey. Their individual workforces range from 35 to more than 500. Most worksites are located within Buncombe County (see Appendix.)

Half of our responding companies have had a local presence for more than a quarter century, but only two of twenty have started a manufacturing operation here within the past ten years.

For obvious reasons, most survey respondents were reluctant to share hourly wage information. Among those that did, MEA found an hourly range of $7.25 to $16.00 for non-supervisory factory workers.

Several MEA survey participants state they currently/recently have had need for both entry level and skilled, technical personnel. While factory experience is preferred, those with potential and a positive work ethic are also being sought.

The list includes assemblers and sewers, machine operators and mechanics, general production, tool makers, and warehouse personnel. Electrical technicians, engineers, and programmers are the most frequently identified categories of needed personnel with higher skills. As might be expected, the positions most difficult to fill are those requiring special expertise such as engineering. Career experience, particularly within a manufacturing atmosphere, is also difficult to find among applicants.

Survey respondents tell MEA that in addition to the traditional tools of employee recruitment (newspaper ads, Employment Security Commission, and Temp agencies) several also utilize JobLINK, participate in Job Fairs, and seek recruits via community colleges and universities.

MEA asked its members whether they have any specific problems with government and its agencies at the local, state, and national level.

Two thirds of those responding indicated no specific problems at this time with such municipal services as public safety, water-sewer, building inspection, zoning, etc.

Among the one third that did offer commentary, the condition of roads in Asheville/Buncombe was the most frequently identified problem, followed by municipal water-sewer services and rates. A responding manufacturer in Madison County cited several problems, especially with water services and waste removal.

When asked in what areas the state and/or federal government might be helpful to area manufacturers, "incentives" and the consequences of NAFTA - wholesale outsourcing of manufacturing jobs - are mentioned most frequently.

With regard to the availability of local/state governmental incentives and "support" programs that could benefit the employer, only 20% of respondents are aware of such assistance - and that coming via A-B Tech and the State of North Carolina. MEA stands ready to assist educators, government, and allied organizations in bringing information/opportunities to the attention of its member manufacturers.

While there is still the occasional good news about an area manufacturer’s expansion, new start-ups or relocations to our region, certain realities prevail:

• There is little likelihood that most of the thousands of area hourly workers in manufacturing that have been – or soon will be – among the unemployed, will find a position with comparable wages and benefits here in Western North Carolina.

• Although some of the executive-level and professional personnel at these shut-down facilities may be offered transfer opportunities by their parent corporations, these same manufacturing executives have held community leadership positions with such organizations as United Way, YMCA, etc. Such organizations will suffer as a result of this volunteer leadership being lost.

• Local charitable organizations will also suffer because of disappearing corporate gifts from manufacturers and their workforces that no longer exist.

• As the area’s manufacturing tax base diminishes, will local taxing authorities be looking to home-owners to make up the difference?

The very real threat of manufacturing’s demise in Western North Carolina also impacts businesses that service both industrial facilities and their employees. From printing and office equipment suppliers, construction firms, electrical contractors, catering services, janitorial…. the list seems endless.

The Manufacturers Executive Association acknowledges that its survey represents but a small sample of manufacturing firms in Western North Carolina. We do believe, however, that it is representative of the challenges, concerns, and perceptions of many more manufacturers operating here.

If these MEA survey findings are to have any value, they will serve as the aforementioned “wake up” call to every advocate of stronger and balanced economic development in this region.

"Although it will increase competition for labor resources, it is critical to the economic health of the region that we continue to attract manufacturing to the area. We need more major industries, not just small ones, and need to provide the incentives to attract them.”

“Strategic goals of providing new jobs and increasing wage levels appears to be directed at enhancing retail/restaurant businesses at the expense of manufacturing... Job creation must be balanced with labor training development or resulting competition will drive wages to the point where it is no longer effective to do business in this area.”

“We need to be looking for ways to attract new employees to the area (by providing) affordable housing or ways to transport workers from nearby areas.”

“Asheville and North Carolina need to create incentive systems for hourly workers to afford housing... Local businesses are the ones fueling income changes within the community. The government must follow its obligations to stimulate affordable housing, not trailers.”

“Within all the (local) strategies for economic development, there seems to be no concrete plan for manufacturing development.”

“It would be beneficial for local (City) officials and utility Board members to recognize that manufacturing is important - not just tourism.”

“Take input from MEA on manufactures’ needs and add to Strategic Plans of all involved in local/regional economic development.”

“Target parent companies when it’s learned they want to downsize or consolidate facilities located here.”
“Area economic developers need to be more manufacturing oriented.”