The history of Manufacturing

Time has evolved the process of manufacturing as we know it today. When our county was new, and expanding, the demand for products and construction was very high. Through technology and customer demand,the United States has had several "eras" of manufacturing.
The process began in the late 1800's with skilled workers, that used some machinery to produce goods and services. Many factories were developed during this era. The process changed from products being created or manufactured from a skilled person, to many semi-skilled folks concentrating on a specific tasks, this change increased productivity.
In the early 1920, the focus was to manufacture with the goal of Quantity not necessarily Quality of the product. The manufactures or business folks thoughtif we make it, they (consumers) will buy it. Marketing was not a part of the design or even a area of concern in the development stages of the product.
Manufacturing moved to the area of consumer orientation, they had to consider what the Customers wants and needs required of a new products. There was a new focus on Quality of the products that they produced. The products had to meet the expectation of the consumer or they would face loss of sell, and therefore loss of profit. Manufacturing companies found themselves with the need to develop or obtaining Quality Standards in an effort to assure the products they produced maintained an acceptable Quality level.
Manufactures of today have several challenges, they must produce a Quality product, and process it at minimum cost in order to maintain profitability. They are focusing on processes that are automated, thus requiring little or no manpower. Companies that can not afford to invest in the latest equipment or technology are outsourcing products to overseas suppliers. The overseas suppliers can process products using old technology with cheap labor, therefore being very competative in the US market.
As a result of competiveness of these overseas manufacturing companies, several U.S. companies are going out of business. The companies that remain in business require a smaller workforce, thus fewer manufacturing jobs in America.