September was a busy month for manufacturing with a number of new facilities and expansions announced. This month, cutting edge enterprises dominated headlines, with announcements made in the EV, solar, semiconductor, biotech and defense industries. Meanwhile, three new packaging facilities point to soaring demand in the industry, while other new projects spanned multiple industries, from transformers to boilers to high-tech logistics.

New data released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics finds the U.S. manufacturing sector added jobs in August, while job openings in the sector remain at historic levels. So what manufacturing sectors are struggling the most to add workers? And which are gaining jobs? Today, we're exploring the most recent manufacturing numbers from the Labor Department, providing the gains and losses by specific subsector. But first, let's take a look at manufacturing job openings.

I don't know about you readers, but I love routines! In fact, I love watching others' routines on YouTube. And since I also love U.S. manufacturers, I thought I would share with you my morning routine thanks to U.S. manufacturers!

It's nearly the end of the quarter, you're ready to close some deals and finish strong. You've got a call scheduled with your star prospect -- you know, the one who you've talked to so often you feel like a member of the family? You're sure her response will be a resounding "Yes, sign me up!" But instead you get:



"Uh...yeah, that all sounds good. Can I just have some time to think it over?"



If you're a salesperson - no matter how good you are - you've heard a client say some variation of that question before, and with manufacturers contending with historic supply chain and labor challenges right now, you're probably hearing this common sales objection more and more. Dealing with prospects who need to "think it over" can be frustrating, but it doesn't have to mean a lost sale if you handle it correctly.



You can overcome this hurdle next time it pops up during your sales pitch by reinventing how you approach this vague response.

It may be the dog days of summer, but U.S. manufacturers are full steam ahead, with several new manufacturing facilities announced in August. This month, we saw some big biotech announcements, new strides made in the EV market, and many other new enterprises, making everything from textiles to tools to packaging materials. Let's explore some of the most exciting announcements made this month in manufacturing

Pipe and fittings manufacturers remain prominent regardless of new construction. Replacement, repair and upgrades represent a large segment of the market. Let's briefly review the sector as a whole and explore the nine top companies that you should know about.

Finding quality leads in a sector as niche as manufacturing can be a real challenge. On Thursday, August 12th, MNI hosted the weekly Tweetchat #USAMfgHour and dedicated the hour to discussing the challenges of generating quality leads in manufacturing. The #USAMfgHour Tweetchat was especially revealing, with manufacturers sharing a bounty of insights on data decay, the pandemic's impact on communicating with prospects, lead qualification, top lead generation resources and the pros and cons of lists, and more. Today, we're sharing some of these insightful comments from manufacturers on lead generation in their niche.

When it comes to sales, good marketing is critical. It's even more important that good marketing tactics target your key audience in an accessible way. This is especially important for manufacturers. Indeed, sometimes there are unavoidable obstacles to overcome in a crowded marketplace. Other times, there are industry-related issues such as a technology gap. It is also not uncommon for the chain of command in the manufacturing industry to forgo the use of email. With that being said, a strong and effective sales methodology is how you can avoid these types of issues and keep a successful business.

New data released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics finds the U.S. manufacturing sector added jobs in July, while job openings in the sector remain at historic levels. Explore the industries that hired in July and those that struggled to hire workers.

Welcome to Part Three of our "Common Client Concerns and How to Address Them" series, where we give salespeople and marketers in the manufacturing industry the tools they need to outpace competitors and seal deals.



Last week, we took a look at some winning responses to clients who say they need more time to think over your proposal.



But what about those prospects who are too busy to even take your call?

As demand for U.S. manufactured goods continues to soar, a number of new manufacturing facilities were announced in July, with new operations poised to churn out a wide range of products, from advanced medicines to food coatings, mattresses, refrigerators, roofing materials and more. Notably, one company announced this month that it has exceeded its reshoring goals by 20% this year. Let's take a look at the most exciting new plant announcements made in July.

Even the most experienced salesperson doesn't land every prospect. If you find that your company consistently misses its sales goals, though, you may find yourself facing some tough questions regarding your sales and marketing strategy. Is your sales funnel too shallow? Does your marketing messaging match your sales tactics? Are your salespeople on the same page as your marketing people? Are you reaching the right audience at the right time with the right product? The following suggestions will help you out of your slump and shorten your sales cycle.

Things are starting to go back to normal for the manufacturing sector. More businesses are opening up to their full capacity again after COVID-19. The good news is that many prospects are considering their next step and looking at proposals from vendors. You can stand out in this competitive environment by reaching out to C-level executives directly. However, you'll need to craft a strong C-level manufacturing sales pitch to convince these decision-makers.

The U.S. manufacturing sector is a global powerhouse, employing 11.7 million and accounting for 11% of the nation's GDP. Although U.S. manufacturing currently faces unprecedented challenges, with the sector still reeling from coronavirus, the industry remains a profoundly important component of the country's economy.



As the sector evolved over the past decade to include high-tech and advanced manufacturing processes, more industrial companies set up shop in America's cities, tapping into an educated workforce with the skills to handle the demands of cutting edge manufacturing. In many ways, urban America has led industrial growth in the post-recession era.

"Listen, can I get back to you about this?"



It's a phrase that has killed countless sales. Say it to any experienced sales rep, and you'll probably see them deflate before your eyes.



But do clients who say, "I'll get back to you" just want to let you down easily? The answer may be more complicated than you think. Let's explore what clients really mean when they hit you with this phrase.

Demand for U.S. manufactured goods continues to accelerate, with manufacturing activity in its twelfth straight month of expansion. Demand is on the rise and more industrial buyers looking for supplies closer to home.



In June we saw a number of new companies announced, representing billions in investments across diverse sectors from biotech and food processing to 3D printing and solar. This article will explore some of the major new manufacturing plants announced in June.

Blowers and fans manufacturers produce equipment to achieve optimal airflow and air purification in different settings. From power plants to data centers, a wide range of industries rely on fans and blowers. Get to know the latest statistics on this vital industry and explore some of the sector's largest companies.

Increased demand in the U.S. supply chain meant that the need for tools skyrocketed and the trend has continued in 2021, with the industry consistently ranking among the most popular search categories on the industrial marketplace IndustryNet, the tool industry is experiencing rapid growth in 2021. In fact, Fortune Business Insights projects the market for machine tools will grow from to $164 billion by the year 2028, representing a compound annual growth rate of 5.5%.



Today, we're going to explore he rapidly-growing industrial tool market and examine some of the sector's largest companies.

You may have recently heard the buzzwords "buyer intent data." It's a term that did not exist just a couple years ago but is now being touted by major data compilers. Intent data is any data that helps sales, marketing, and business development professionals make contact with prospects that are most likely to buy from you at any given moment. Intent data is also data that helps you work more efficiently (and smarter) by getting to the right decision makers with the ultimate authority to buy from you.

The typical buying journey has changed over the past few years. B2B prospects and decision-makers increasingly belong to the millennial generation. They prefer doing research on their own before speaking with a salesperson. Self-directed research on the internet accounts for 27% of the B2B buying journey, while offline research represents 18%. So, it should come as no surprise that you'll often encounter B2B prospects who say they need to do more research.



Are prospects being genuine with this objection? Let's look at the real reasons behind this phrase and how you can respond without alienating your B2B prospects.

New data released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics finds the U.S. manufacturing sector bounced back from April's job losses, adding 23,000 jobs in May. Meanwhile, a separate Labor report finds that job openings in the U.S. manufacturing sector has hit an all-time record of 700,000 jobs.

Following top-notch manufacturer blogs is among the best ways to get a feel for the industry you're doing business with and to make new connections. Countless manufacturers are telling their stories every day and engaging with their content can help you build relationships with prospects and become part of a vibrant manufacturing community. Here are some manufacturing blogs across various industries that stand out.

Demand for U.S. manufactured goods continues to rise, with manufacturing activity in its eleventh straight month of expansion and more industrial buyers looking for supplies closer to home.



In May, several major new manufacturing openings and expansions were announced, with new investments spread out across multiple industries, from biotech and advanced electronics to food processing and automotive supply. Today, we're rounding up the month's most exciting announcements.

Do you still receive emails beginning with, "Dear so-and-so?" While this sales tactic used to be the height of customization for years, it completely misses the mark for a personalized sales pitch today.



Now, everyone craves an individualized approach across all platforms. Especially thanks to the recent pandemic year, everyone is looking for personalization in order to get the most effective and relevant solutions for their company in the most cost-effective way. They aren't looking to settle for solutions that kind of meet their needs or those that only address one of their problems.

Being successful in industrial B2B sales means being efficient. But you cannot be efficient if you're wasting effort on the wrong strategies. Key performance indicators, or KPIs, are how the most successful companies keep track of what works in their teams and what doesn't. Let's take a look at some of the most important B2B sales KPIs you should be tracking.

New data released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics finds that after adding jobs consistently since February of this year, U.S. manufacturers shed 18,000 jobs in April. This is the first time since January that the sector lost jobs. Meanwhile, employment in the U.S. economy overall increased by a relatively paltry 266,000 jobs, compared to the 916,000 jobs gained in March.



The loss in manufacturing jobs comes as a surprise, given that job openings in manufacturing have hovered above the 500,000 mark for several months in a row now. Additionally, manufacturing activity across the U.S. has been surging, with new orders and production continuing to expand rapidly as the sector recovers from the pandemic. Many manufacturers, in fact, have referred to the manufacturing labor shortage as among their top challenges.



So why job losses and not job gains in manufacturing?

The partnership between freight brokers and shippers is a constant dance. A dependable shipper may become less reliable if conditions within the manufacturing company prevent it from keeping a regular shipping schedule.



Even if you already have a portfolio of excellent shippers, you may want to increase your options by exploring new opportunities. Following are some questions that will help you determine whether a manufacturer is a good fit for your current portfolio.

By now, we are all familiar with the myriad of ways the pandemic has impacted our individual lives. Whether that impact means mask-wearing, vaccination, working remotely or helping our children with their online schooling, the pandemic has transformed our lives. Equally impactful is the way in which the pandemic has transformed B2B sales and how businesses can adapt. That impact can be summed up in one word: digital. Is your B2B company ready for this transformation?

Demand for U.S. manufactured goods continues to accelerate, with manufacturing activity hitting a 38-year high, new orders surging, and more industrial buyers looking for supplies closer to home.



As a result, new manufacturing companies and expansions are announced every month and April was no exception. This month, a number of new industrial companies made headlines, reflecting significant investments in biotech, COVID response, advanced electronics, food manufacturing and more.



Spanning nine states and representing billions in investment, these are the new and expanded manufacturing plants announced in April.

Did you know that Thomas Edison didn't invent the light bulb - one of the first electric items? Scientists worked on the simple light bulb for many years before Edison was even born. He did not invent the light bulb. He just perfected it by creating an incandescent bulb. U.S. electrical equipment and supplies manufacturers have been thinking outside the box since Thomas Edison's time. Like the common light bulb, they have seen many changes to meet industrial, governmental and public demands over the years.