This week’s episode of “WisBusiness: the Podcast” is with Buckley Brinkman, executive director and CEO of the Wisconsin Center for Manufacturing & Productivity.
He discusses how manufacturers are faring amid tariff-related economic uncertainty, noting he’s been “a little bit surprised” that opinions on the policy are fairly mixed.
“The room is really split,” he said. “I mean, there are some manufacturers that are really being helped by the tariffs right now … they’ve seen an uptick in their business and they’re really, I won’t say happy about the tariffs, but they’re certainly in favor of them because it’s improving their own business.”
Meanwhile, other manufacturers had finally gotten their supply chains sorted after pandemic-era disruptions, “and these tariffs have come along to upset the applecart again.”
But just like when COVID-19 shook up international trade, Brinkman says he expects businesses will once again “find their path” as they adjust to the new complications.
“Just the overlying issue with everyone is just the uncertainty,” he said. “On again, off again, you have to have a scorecard to figure out which tariffs apply where, and they’re always changing. And business doesn’t react very well to uncertainty.”
Whether companies are looking to build a new production facility or install major equipment, “the best environment to do that in” is one where the next several years are relatively predictable.
He also shares some top takeaways from the group’s latest Wisconsin Manufacturing Report, which tracks the industry’s perspective on workforce issues, new technologies, economic growth expectations, profitability and other trends.
“Workforce is the critical issue facing manufacturers,” he said, adding businesses are exploring tech applications such as AI and automation to overcome the “chronic” worker shortage.
At the same time, “retention has become very key, and manufacturers’ flexibility in actually keeping the workers that they have in-house, productive and growing,” he said.
Listen to the podcast below, sponsored by UW-Madison:
