The manufacturing industry faces a severe labor shortage, making it increasingly difficult to find skilled and reliable workers. This issue directly impacts Choice Machinery Group and our brand, Ritter Machinery, as we help other manufacturers adapt by providing solutions that reduce labor dependency.
Ed Strahota, National Sales Manager at Choice Machinery Group, highlights the severity of the issue:
"[I]t's only going to get worse because there aren't people coming into these positions. We have made the trades and manufacturing to be ‘somebody else's job, not mine’."
To stay competitive, manufacturers must rethink workforce strategies, embracing smart and efficient technology to bridge the labor gap. Ritter Machinery, a leader in American-made woodworking machines, plays a crucial role in this shift by offering solutions that enhance efficiency with fewer workers.
The Decline of Skilled Trades: A Growing Concern
According to a report from Industrial Safety and Hygiene News (Nezter, 2019), for every one person entering the trades, five are retiring. Fewer people entering trade and manufacturing jobs creates a significant gap in the workforce. Many young workers choose college degrees over vocational training, despite manufacturing offering stable and lucrative careers. Without new talent, manufacturers must rely on automation and process optimization to sustain operations.
Jeremy Dieken, a Choice Machinery customer, describes the growing struggle:
"Every single industry [is dealing with] the labor shortage... because there just aren't hands, there just aren't bodies. The more that you can minimize having to hire, and train, and then rehire and retrain, the better."
How Ritter Machinery Helps Companies Adapt
Ritter Machinery’s woodworking equipment helps manufacturers tackle labor shortages and boost efficiency. Face-frame assembly and door clamping tables streamline cabinet production by mechanizing alignment and securing components with precision. Line and horizontal boring machines reduce manual drilling, ensuring accuracy and speed in cabinetry manufacturing. Our pocket hole machines simplify joinery, minimizing training needs and maximizing output.
By integrating these solutions, manufacturers can enhance productivity, maintain quality and throughput, even in the face of depleted numbers in skilled labor, making their operations more competitive and future-ready.
It should be noted that these equipment investments do not replace workers—they maximize the potential of the skilled workforce that remains, ensuring long-term stability and growth.
Rebuilding the Pipeline: Investing in Workforce Development
Yes–automation provides an immediate solution, however, the industry still needs a strong workforce. Manufacturers must support trade schools and vocational programs to bring in and retain new woodworking talent. By rebranding manufacturing as a high-tech, rewarding career path, companies can attract younger workers and reduce the constant cycle of hiring and training.
Ritter Machinery is committed to workforce development. Our partnership with Next Step of West Michigan demonstrates this commitment. Ritter donated three machines to the program, supporting students and those re-entering the workforce with hands-on training.
Efficiency and Human Talent
Manufacturers face a real workforce crisis, but Choice Machinery Group and our brands are helping solve it. By developing more efficient but accessible machining solutions, supporting workforce development, and ensuring manufacturers can maintain production with fewer employees, we enable businesses to stay competitive.
As the industry evolves, technology and skilled workers must work together—because while machines improve efficiency, human expertise continues to drive innovation.
Discover how Ritter Machinery’s stationary solutions can help your business thrive. Contact us today today for a consultation.
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The Workforce Crisis in Manufacturing: How Ritter Machinery Helps Companies Bridge the Labor Gap