By Rachael Pfenninger, director of strategic execution, AMBA

At the end of 2024 and the beginning of 2025, 54% of manufacturers surveyed in the AMBA 2025 Business Forecast Report reported they anticipated or realized reshoring of business, demonstrating the positive effect that even limited tariffs have had on business over the last few years (Chart 1). As the Trump administration has moved to impose even greater tariffs over the last several months, a positive impact already is being realized by AMBA members like Hillary Thomas, vice president at Westminster Tool.

“The manufacturing tariffs imposed by President Trump and his administration have benefited our business, similar to the wide-scale tariff effort in 2018. For example, following recent announcements, our quote requests rose 25% in one month. These tariffs, particularly against China and other international competitors, clearly help level the global manufacturing playing field for the moldmaking industry, and we welcome their implementation,” said Thomas Although the recent tariffs applied to Chinese goods are celebrated by many domestic moldmakers like Westminster Tool, there’s no question that conditions remain volatile for the American manufacturing supply chain. Despite this uncertainty in the global marketplace, however, there are many ways in which US mold manufacturers can begin to prepare their businesses for what’s to come.

Apparent Need for Workforce Development
While US mold manufacturers are grateful for increased quoting and higher win rates, some already are looking toward their next, post-tariff obstacle – workforce attraction, retention and development. For example, in the first quarter of 2025, AMBA 2025 Business Forecast report respondents indicated that their anticipated capacity utilizations would hover close to 74%; but for many, decreased capacity is as much due to a limited labor pool as it is to business won and in progress.

Workforce Resources Target Member Pain Point
For its members, access to the AMBA community, the association’s resources and its industry connections could be the difference between staying in business or closing their doors. To help its members address workforce challenges, AMBA has continued to develop resources specifically focused on this industry pain point; these are outlined below:

• The AMBA Emerging Leaders Network, which offers peer connection to emerging professionals within the AMBA community.
• Workforce development-specific benchmarking, like the recent AMBA Playbook on Employee Engagement, Satisfaction and Retention.
• A monthly Grants and Workforce Incentives Tracking Matrix, which provides information on state, regional and national grants.
• Recruitment Tools and Playbooks, video and printed materials that support member recruitment and retention programs.
• A robust Skills Certification program, which assesses and certifies the skills of domestic, front-line mold manufacturing workers.
• No-cost professional development opportunities focused on a myriad of topics, including conflict resolution, lean manufacturing implementation, industry mentor connections and many more.

Much of the data cited in this article originated in the 2025 AMBA Business Forecast Report. To learn more about this report, the resources outlined above and AMBA’s advocacy efforts, visit www.amba.org.