Economies in North Carolina and across the world have changed dramatically since the North Carolina Chamber released a report last September about the impact of manufacturing in the state.

Nonetheless, the crux of the 14-month study “What North Carolina Makes, Makes North Carolina,” remains even more bedrock to the state’s economy during fluctuating circumstances. That’s the stance held by economist Graham Toft, who led the effort by GrowthEconomics Inc. to prepare the report, which was sponsored by Duke Energy. The report is available online at www.ncchamber.net.

“Manufacturing in North Carolina has been diversifying. On the one hand, the state was hurting because the dominant players were getting smaller, textiles and wood products. But as we point out, there’s some new players coming on the scene … medical manufacturing, defense manufacturing are still going reasonably strong,” Toft said.

“One story out of this is because (North Carolina) was hurt before this recession, in terms of restructuring, the state has gone through a lot of that so it should be able to pick back up reasonably well after the recession as long as you have the right public policy, which is what the Chamber is all about,” Toft continued.

Helping to ensure that policy dialogue continues, the Chamber will conduct its third annual Manufacturing Summit June 8 at the Sheraton Greensboro at Four Seasons.

“To keep manufacturing a critical component of North Carolina’s economy, we must continue to have a united front with regard to sector development and policy,” said Lew Ebert, president and CEO of the Chamber. “The Manufacturing Summit will present another opportunity to gather and craft ideas that will carry this sector into even better days ahead.”

Developments in manufacturing remain one of the lead agenda items within the state Department of Commerce. The pathways to improvements in manufacturing highlighted by Toft regularly correspond to what North Carolina’s government agency is seeking to do, as well.

“Manufacturing remains a large and vital part of North Carolina’s economy,” said Commerce Secretary J. Keith Crisco. “At Commerce, we are helping manufacturers succeed through access to new markets, both domestic and international. We are also collaborating with the state’s extensive network of community colleges and universities to ensure our workers get the education and training they need to help companies compete successfully in today’s global economy.”

In reference to workforce, Toft mentioned that current economic conditions have created what he described as “detirement,” in which an aging workforce is not leaving as quickly as once thought last year.

“That’s helpful in the short run,” Toft said.

Beyond that time frame however, Toft, like Crisco, reiterated the need for specialized training for North Carolina workers to handle the jobs in advanced manufacturing. R. Scott Ralls, president of the North Carolina Community College System, readily stresses that faculty and facilities across the state are prepared to handle any training requests that come along.

“We have placed special focus on our technical education programs that offer training in cutting-edge machining and manufacturing fields such as welding, industrial maintenance, composites, biotechnology and aerodefense, to name a few,” Ralls said. “The Career Readiness Certificate is being required by more and more manufacturing companies for new hires, and our colleges can administer the CRC, giving companies the benefit of knowing new hires have a baseline of skills necessary to be successful in their jobs.”

The Chamber wants to aid in the securing of more manufacturing jobs in North Carolina. It’s why the Manufacturing Summit will discuss some of the paramount issues in this sector.

The agenda includes sessions about energy policy proposals coming from President Obama and the 111th US Congress. Results of a poll conducted by RSM McGladrey also will be revealed.

Toft stressed how important manufacturing is to North Carolina, both before the current recession and when stability and growth return. He admitted that companies likely will be more efficient and diversified as they navigate the downturn, but the promise of prosperity remains high.

"Given all of the economic circumstances, this of all times is the opportune time for the state to position its policy environment to be the most conducive for business growth coming out of the recession,” Toft said. “There will be other states that simply won’t be able to do it. They’ll be too burdened with the budget situation. They’ll be too focused on trying to get the federal stimulus money.

“The key thing to North Carolina: Get yourself in a really good position in terms of tax policy, regulatory policy, skilling up the workforce, focusing on trade and investment,” he continued. “The next six months is really critical to do all of that.

"As a manufacturing state, relative to the others in the top 10,” Toft added, “North Carolina is in as good of a position as any to come out of this relatively well.”