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Utah manufacturers press GOEO for better outreach, workforce support and regional anchors
Summary
New Utah Manufacturers Association president and UMA leaders told the committee Utah manufacturing extends beyond factory floors and urged GOEO to improve outreach, workforce training, and support for anchor contract manufacturing to build regional clusters.
Johnny Ferry, nine days into his role as president and CEO of the Utah Manufacturers Association, told the Economic Development and Workforce Services Interim Committee on Aug. 20 that manufacturing in Utah is far broader than production lines. "For a manufacturer to produce their product or to get their product out to market, all of these are generally considered part of that process," Ferry said, listing research and development, supply chain, packaging, logistics, HR and IT as components.
Why it matters: Ferry and UMA Chief Operating Officer Josh Brown said workforce scarcity, supply-chain traceability and regulatory certainty are the industry's most persistent challenges. They urged GOEO to increase outreach so small manufacturers know about state programs and to support anchors that can serve as contract manufacturers for larger firms.
Ferry said labor availability is the top constraint: "...we'll take people that are right out of high school...and all the way up to PhD chemists and engineers," but added many manufacturers cannot find enough skilled employees, especially in rural areas. Josh Brown emphasized regulatory certainty and shorter supply chains as priorities for attracting and retaining investment.
Representatives discussed co-manufacturing and anchor firms. Ferry noted Utah's central western location as an advantage for contract manufacturing and cited examples such as Honeyville's work with General Mills and Procter & Gamble's plant in Box Elder County. "Co manufacturing is how you step into it and the next thing you'll see is then investment of those larger companies coming into it because they see the value of being here," Ferry said.
On GOEO, Ferry and Brown said the office has been helpful in recruitment and programs but needs to boost awareness among the roughly 4,000 state manufacturers; UMA has about 1,000 members. They urged GOEO to continue rural focus and to help companies already in Utah expand once recruited.
Ending: Ferry said Utah's reputation and people are strengths for attracting manufacturers and encouraged GOEO and industry groups to coordinate outreach and workforce training to build local supply chains and anchors.
