President Biden Visits CNY to Acknowledge Our New Reality
Randy Wolken, President & CEO
This week marks a landmark achievement. Central New York has attracted the most significant investment in New York State history. We stand at the beginning of a journey that will transform manufacturing in New York – and quite possibly the country. It has attracted the President of the United States to come and celebrate this with us. We can hardly believe that this has come true. It seems we have wanted an increased number of great manufacturing jobs and the prosperity they bring to our community for as long as I can remember. Finally, we have this moment now. Let us be proud of this community achievement. Also, lets us prepare ourselves for what must be done for us to succeed.
As much as we may want to return to our pre-COVID normal, we will not be able to do so. Our economy has been permanently altered. Also, Micron choosing us will give us a different future than we once had. Coming out of the pandemic’s early stage, we saw growth. Still, it was complicated by disrupted supply chains, material shortages, inflation, and a severe lack of technical talent. Even the products and services we have been receiving have been reduced in ways we all noticed. These challenges are real and confront every business and organization.
We must navigate our way to a different future. Now is the right time to imagine a better future. The future is always created twice. First, it is created in our minds, and then we must find a way to create it in our world. This takes hard work and perseverance. And, given our opportunities and new challenges, this is precisely what is required.
MACNY members are changing systems and approaches to accomplish growth. Staffing shortages have required special attention, and we have seen a marked increase in up-skilling and new apprenticeships. Hiring practices are changing along with pay adjustments. With the shortage of skilled labor, operations are changing through the increased use of technology and redeployment of staff into higher-value jobs. These adjustments are often rapid and are necessary to survive and recapture growth. I have seen these adjustments after every downturn in our economy. However, they are more dramatic and quicker this time. The speed of change has increased in most organizations.
You are likely going through a considerable amount of change at your organization. It is a stressful time. These are times in which sharing challenges and learning from others becomes critical. For over nearly 110 years, MACNY has helped members prepare for opportunities and challenges. Through wars and economic downturns, our members have created approaches to thrive. MACNY has played a role in assisting members in recreating their practices to grow again despite the circumstances. Continue to let us know ways we can help you overcome your present operational issues.
Our extensive network of companies that are solving these problems remains one of the critical approaches to success. We currently offer more ways than ever to learn and connect with answers to your challenges. Time and time, our members have emerged from severe crises and new opportunities, such as what we are now experiencing. They will do so again. Together we will find the answers to the questions that confront us. The future of manufacturing in our region and state is so very bright. We will overcome together what the future brings to us once again.