By Rachael Pfenninger, director of strategic execution, AMBA For US mold manufacturers, access to skilled labor continues to be both an impediment to profitability and a constraint on capacity, making it a major roadblock to long-term growth and operational sustainability. To better understand how mold builders are tackling this particular challenge and provide best … [Read more...] about Key Talent Takeaways: Employee Recruitment, Retention and Culture
Human Resources
Quoting Increases for US Mold Builders; Workforce Challenges Loom
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 … [Read more...] about Quoting Increases for US Mold Builders; Workforce Challenges Loom
Recruitment and Retention
By Liz Stevens, writer, The American Mold Builder Workforce development, a perennial requirement in mold building, is a hot topic in 2025. Effective employee recruitment is necessary for filling empty slots with well-matched candidates in a timely manner, thereby limiting recruitment costs and reducing downtime due to a lack of staff. Effective employee retention equally … [Read more...] about Recruitment and Retention
Employee Engagement in US Moldmaking (and What it Means for Employee Retention)
By Rachael Pfenninger, director of strategic execution, AMBA In an era where employee retention has become increasingly challenging, particularly following the “Great Resignation” and fierce, domestic competition for labor, US moldmaking companies are seeking effective strategies to enhance employee satisfaction and engagement. This ultimately leads them to implement … [Read more...] about Employee Engagement in US Moldmaking (and What it Means for Employee Retention)
Effective Leadership Planning for NextGen Succession
By Lindsey Munson, editor, The American Mold Builder “If you can’t be replaced, you can’t be promoted,” are words that resonate with leaders. This quote stands as a simple reminder and sound advice to those seeking a leadership role or being a “succession” – on-the-job training and sharing processes and procedures are critical components to reaching the next step on the … [Read more...] about Effective Leadership Planning for NextGen Succession
Workforce Recruitment and Retention at Franchino Mold & Engineering
By Liz Stevens, writer, The American Mold Builder Franchino Mold & Engineering (FMEC), Lansing, Michigan, has served the mold and die industry since 1955. The company offers die cast dies, plastic injection molds, contract machining, die/mold repair and engineering services to the automotive, construction, consumer products and material handling industries. FMEC stands … [Read more...] about Workforce Recruitment and Retention at Franchino Mold & Engineering