When a lot of manufacturers think of their “enemy,” their first thought might be the competitor down the road from them. They may be pursuing similar customers or competing for the same employees in your local talent pipeline. They may even be bidding on the same jobs. But are they really the enemy?
In reality, your competitors are facing many of the same challenges you are. That’s why we believe that our members’ real enemies aren’t other shops; they’re the forces that make it harder for all of you to succeed.
Sometimes the Enemy Lies Within Your Four Walls
Some of the biggest threats to your business can be found within your facilities. Maybe your team needs additional upskilling, or an inefficient process is slowing production. Perhaps your customer base is too concentrated, or preventative maintenance on your equipment has fallen by the wayside.
These are issues that your business can directly influence. For that reason, they’re worth your attention. Take a closer look at your own business and its shortcomings. Understanding what you can control helps you put your energy toward improvements that can actually make your company stronger.
Your Competitors Can Help You Improve
Instead of viewing competitors as the enemy, look at what they’re doing well and what you can learn from them. Maybe another manufacturer in your area has developed a strong workforce development program, or they’ve invested in a software solution that has improved their operations and slashed their lead times.
Treat your competitors as sources of ideas and examples of what’s possible for your business.
External Forces Can Be Enemies Too
Other challenges are much harder to control. Manufacturers are dealing with:
- Workforce shortages
- Taxes and tariffs
- Rising costs
- Regulations
- Evolving customer requirements
- Additional responsibilities like CMMC
These are the kinds of challenges affecting the industry at large, which means your competitors are dealing with them too.
Let’s Join Forces to Fight the Real Enemies
This is where industry associations like NTMA play a unique role. We abide by principles of business conduct that encourage honesty, integrity, and ethical business practices that build trust among our members. This trust makes it possible for competitors to work together on the challenges that affect everyone.
NTMA members can consolidate their efforts in several areas:
- Advocacy: Through One Voice, manufacturers can work together to make their concerns heard by policymakers.
- Supplier relationships: Partnerships with suppliers such as PTSolutions and Grainger can help members access collective purchasing benefits and reduce costs.
- Training: Conferences, webinars, and Executive Cohorts give members opportunities to learn from one another without every company having to develop its own training programs from scratch.
- Workforce development: NTMA-U provides training and education that helps manufacturers develop the skills their employees need.
Manufacturers shouldn’t have to fight their battles alone.
There’s Room for All of Us
American manufacturing is in a period where the industry will need to be ready for changing demand, including continued opportunities to reshore production. With more work coming our way, the success of one manufacturer doesn’t have to come at the expense of another. There is space for all of us to grow together.
When manufacturers spend less time treating each other as enemies and more time addressing the challenges that actually threaten their businesses, everyone benefits.
The next time you hear someone talk about an “enemy,” take a closer look. Is it really your competitor, or is it the internal challenge you haven’t solved or the regulation you need to navigate? Knowing that distinction matters.
When it comes to the common enemies you can’t tackle on your own, NTMA gives you a community to stand with. Join your fellow manufacturers to consolidate your efforts and work as a collective to take on the challenges facing the industry.
Join NTMA, where we’re stronger together.
