Windsor Mold Saline Windsor Mold, located in Saline, Michigan, will be relocating its production lines to Grand Rapids, Michigan. The company was acquired by ABC Technologies for $165 million in 2022. Although the reason for the move remains unknown, it can be assumed that it makes "business sense." Windsor Mold operates a three-shift production schedule, using injection molding equipment to manufacture interior and exterior car parts for various OEMs. Initially announced in July of this year, the relocation is expected to be completed by early 2025. The move is being carried out in phases, with several rounds of layoffs starting in November. Employees have been given the option to relocate and retain their jobs or continue working until the end of their tenure and receive a retention bonus. Key Takeaways: Retention bonuses for employees staying until their production line is dissolved have proven highly effective. Many of the skilled trades employees are making the move to Grand Rapids, MI. HR is collaborating with companies and recruiters to assist employees in finding new roles. Local companies have an opportunity to acquire talented workers in Q4 2024 and Q1 2025. Managing the end of employment is just as critical as onboarding new employees. MARA USA MARA USA will be adding a new warehouse and distribution center in January 2025, located in Holly, Michigan. This expansion will support just-in-time distribution and inventory management services for their facility and potential clients. The new space is expected to be connected to their current site and will provide additional manufacturing and logistical capacity. MARA USA specializes in circuit board assembly and is actively hiring through job boards such as Indeed . Although the number of job openings remains unclear, job seekers in the area are encouraged to explore opportunities with this expanding company. Key Takeaways: Not many facilities are growing and expanding their operations making MARA USA a great opportunity for job seekers. MARA USA's ability to expand their footprint on the same property shows that manufacturing further out from Detroit has its advantages.

42 million people were reported to have tuned in to Tuesday’s election results, hoping that the flood of political texts everyone has been receiving would soon come to an end. With Donald Trump expected to return to the White House , what does this mean for Detroit and the manufacturing sector as a whole? The market appears to have reacted positively to Trump's election. This post will explore what we might expect for Detroit’s economy, automotive, and manufacturing industries. Electric Vehicles and Automotive All eyes will be on how policies will affect the Big 3 and their push toward electric vehicles (EVs). Over the past four years, government programs from the Department of Energy (DOE) and grants from Michigan's governor have encouraged OEMs to retool and pave the way for a cleaner future. In 2022, there was a significant surge in the EV market, but this momentum came to a dramatic halt in early 2024. Customer demand for EVs was much lower than expected, resulting in missed revenue goals, layoffs, decreased production, and even plant closures across metro Detroit, according to Taldeco. Trump's most prominent supporter, Elon Musk, has a vested interest in ensuring a bright future for Tesla, and it will be interesting to see how related policies are rolled out. While the shift to an all-electric future is ultimately inevitable, it may not progress as quickly as previously anticipated. We foresee a renewed emphasis on manufacturing combustion engines while also focusing on hybrids. Detroit’s Big 3 have many considerations to weigh now that initial customer demand for EVs has proven lower than expected. Trade Policies and Tariffs One of the main focuses of Trump’s first presidency was trade and tariffs aimed at bolstering U.S. manufacturing. Most of the world took a wait-and-see approach to the 2024 election, including China’s BYD, which delayed investing in a Mexican plant due to the potential tariff threats made by Trump. The outcome of Trump's push for tariffs remains uncertain. One viewpoint is that this policy could encourage more foreign companies to establish domestic manufacturing, providing more jobs for U.S. workers. On the other hand, some argue that more tariffs would increase production costs, leading companies to raise their prices. It is likely that we will see a mix of both outcomes, which would play out over the course of a few years. Labor and Employment Trump has historically advocated for job creation within U.S. borders, which is what we expect in the next four years. His push for tariffs could lead companies to reconsider foreign manufacturing operations, potentially creating more domestic jobs. We anticipate a boost in blue-collar employment despite the advancement of automation, particularly in skilled trades. It will be important to monitor how unemployment rates and consumer goods prices fluctuate. If Trump enacts tax cuts, we may see an uptick in consumer spending, similar to what occurred in 2020.

As a Maintenance Technician you are in charge of either repairs or preventing future issues to occur. Maintenance personnel are either in Industrial Maintenance or Property/Commercial Maintenance. Industrial Maintenance Technicians work specifically on machinery in a manufacturing or distribution facility. This is vastly different than maintenance on properties and commercial sites. Industrial Maintenance duties Include: Manufacturing machine repairs and fixes Mechanical repairs such as hydraulic systems, pneumatic systems, welding, hoses, bearings, motors, chains, and belts. Electrical repairs such as relays, switches, sensors, basic wiring, and motor swaps. Perform basic preventative maintenance such as checking oil levels, changing filters, checking machine vibration, and checking chains or belts. Property or Commercial Maintenance Technicians work in homes, commercial, or industrial sites to keep up with the building/facility itself. Property Maintenance duties Include: Keeping up with the exterior such as the landscaping, walls, paint, roofing, snow removal, and parking lots. Repairing interior issues such as plumbing, HVAC systems, lighting, switches, outlets, doors, drywall, painting, and flooring. Industrial Maintenance Salaries: $60,000 - $68,000+ Property Maintenance Salaries: $40,000 - $55,000 The Maintenance field is said to grow between 6-7% year over year due to the increase in automation and technology. In addition, the average maintenance technician has the opportunity to work between 50-60 hours a week allowing the workers to become 6 figure earners. How Do I Become a Maintenance Technician? To become a Maintenance Technician you can either start out in an entry level role or through a trades school such as UTI in metro Detroit. Entry level roles take time but are a great way to do on the job training. Technical schools offer a better foundation that most companies are interested in.

Getting into skilled trades is becoming increasingly popular for high school graduates. A once-core career during the industrial revolution, skilled trades are once again making headlines. In this post, we’ll highlight some of the most common and well-compensated skilled trades jobs you might find locally, from a data-driven perspective. At Taldeco, we specifically staff and recruit top skilled trades professionals and associates in the manufacturing sector across Metro Detroit and Metro Nashville. Is a career in skilled trades right for you? Are these jobs worth it? What are the challenges? What kind of schooling or training is required? And, crucially, will these jobs be affected by AI or automation? Let us help you explore the possibilities. Below are some of the highest-paying skilled trades jobs in manufacturing, along with insights on job requirements, difficulty, and other relevant information. At the end, you’ll find our recommendations based on current data and market trends. 1. Industrial Electrician Industrial Electricians earn around $33 per hour (approximately $68,640 annually). Training typically involves either trade school or an apprenticeship program lasting 4–6 years. This job is unlikely to be fully automated, as Industrial Electricians are often responsible for automating production lines themselves. Demand for this role is currently at an all-time high and ranks as the most in-demand position in the industry. Taldeco’s Insight:  Industrial Electricians have the highest earning potential out of any other skilled trades job. Overtime is common (if not necessary), and we often see professionals in this role making over $100,000 annually by working 50+ hours per week consistently. 2. Industrial Mechanic (Millwright) Following closely behind electricians, Industrial Mechanics earn about $32 per hour (around $66,560 annually). Training usually includes trade school or apprenticeship, spanning 4–6 years. This labor-intensive role requires continuous repairs and upgrades, making it essential and highly demanded in manufacturing. Taldeco ranks Machine Repair as our second most in-demand support position for manufacturing. Taldeco’s Insight:  This role can easily transition into an Electrician position. There is plenty of overtime available, and there’s a workforce shortage, making it a valuable skill set. 3. Robot Technician/Programmer Robotics is a booming industry that addresses automation needs and workforce shortages. Robot Technicians/Programmers typically work long hours and overtime, earning an average of $32 per hour ($66,560 annually). Most people in this role acquire skills through formal education rather than on-the-job training. Robotics will continue to be a high-demand field, offering significant job security due to the high barrier of entry. Our Note:  Robotics requires strong technical skills and a keen mind, making it an excellent career path for those with an affinity for technology. 4. Tool and Die Maker Tool and Die Makers often see their earnings grow after about ten years in the trade, with an average pay of $28.50 per hour, reaching around $31 per hour for more senior professionals. Demand for this role remains high, as mastery requires years of experience. With an aging workforce, there is an increasing need for skilled individuals in this field. Apprentices can start with competitive pay and quickly increase their income through overtime. 5. HVAC & Plumbing Technician HVAC and Plumbing are indispensable trades that are challenging to automate, covering both residential and commercial service calls. Average pay ranges from $25–$28 per hour. Taldeco’s Perspective:  HVAC and Plumbing are ideal fields for those interested in entrepreneurship, as they provide relatively straightforward pathways to starting a business. Running your own trades business can open significant earning opportunities for those willing to put in the effort. Recommendations and Final Thoughts Based on our data and market analysis, Industrial Electricians and Industrial Mechanics are particularly attractive careers due to high demand and income potential. Check out Taldeco's careers page for job openings, or check out our Indeed job postings.

The number one question that our team gets asked is what do we need to pay for this skillset to stay competitive? Below, we break down manufacturing job wages by category. This data is the average from over 300 job placements made by Taldeco in the metro Detroit and Nashville areas in 2024. Production and General Labor (Light Industrial) Assembler/Production/Operator: $18.09/hour Material Handler: $18.24/hour Crane Operator: $18.63/hour Quality Inspector: $19.00/hour CNC Operator: $19.50/hour Helpers: $20.14/hour Skilled Trade Roles Press/Brake Press Operator: $22.00/hour Die & Mold Setter: $23.57/hour Welder/Fabricator: $25.33/hour CNC Machinist: $25.50/hour Tool and Die Repair Technician: $28.12/hour CNC Programmer: $28.45/hour Tool and Die Maker: $31.00/hour Process Technician: $31.00/hour Robot Technician: $31.22/hour Maintenance Technician: $31.22/hour Technical and Engineering Roles Industrial Engineer: $39.46/hour Controls & Electrical Engineer: $44.55/hour Mechanical Engineer: $40.13/hour Process Engineer: $45.67/hour Manufacturing Engineer: $42.43/hour Both employers and employees need to know how much manufacturing position wages pay. Employers need to stay competitive with others in their market, while employees should know their wage potential. Check out our careers page.