Shively Bros., Inc.

The landscape of U.S. manufacturing has shifted dramatically in recent years. From reshoring and nearshoring strategies to game-changing legislation like the CHIPS Act and Inflation Reduction Act, the sector is finding innovative ways to build supply chain resilience and drive economic growth. 📈 🔹 Key Stats: 1️⃣ U.S. manufacturing contributed $2.8 trillion to GDP in 2023. 2️⃣ 57% of U.S. industries could take 6+ months to recover after a 1-week transport disruption. 3️⃣ $50B+ in CHIPS Act funding is strengthening domestic semiconductor production. Yet challenges remain: labor shortages, rising material costs, and regulatory pressures require bold strategies and skilled talent—especially in STEM fields. 🚀 As U.S. manufacturers face an increasingly digital and uncertain future, opportunities for innovation and sustainability have never been greater. 📖 Read more on how U.S. manufacturing leaders are shaping the future with Shively Bros.: https://bit.ly/4fFXsBb

The 2024 overtime rule has been vacated by a federal judge, returning the salary threshold for overtime eligibility to $35,568. Here’s what employers need to know: ✔️ The rule is likely dead—DOL may appeal, but a reversal is unlikely. ✔️ Don’t rush to undo changes—rolling back raises or reclassifications could hurt employee morale and invite legal scrutiny. ✔️ January plans can pause—organizations can shelve salary adjustments related to the now-vacated rule. While this change brings clarity, experts caution that a second round of reclassifications could cause unintended consequences. 🔗 Read more with Shively Bros.: https://bit.ly/3Oo3v1I

Walking into an interview? Be ready to engage your hiring manager with thoughtful, strategic questions that showcase your interest, preparation, and fit for the role. ✅ Here are 5 questions to ask: 1️⃣ Can you describe the team I’d be working with and how collaboration is encouraged? 2️⃣ What are the key objectives for this role in the first six months? 3️⃣ What does the company do to support employee growth and advancement? 4️⃣ What are the biggest challenges someone in this position might face? 5️⃣ What tools or technologies will I be using regularly? Each question helps you gather critical insights while demonstrating your proactive mindset and long-term vision. Interviews are a two-way street—use these to turn the conversation into a dialogue. 🔗 Read more with Shively Bros.: https://bit.ly/4fcr2xB 

🌐 Global Steel Production Rebounds in October 📈 After five months of decline, global raw steel production rose 5% month-over-month in October to 152.1 million metric tons. Key highlights: 🔹 China led the charge with a +5.9% increase (81.9M metric tons). 🔹 India grew by 6.4% (12.5M metric tons), outpacing October 2023 levels. 🔹 Japan saw a modest recovery from September but remains -7.8% below last year. 🔹 U.S. production stayed steady but dipped slightly by -1.5%. 🔹 EU steelmakers reported a +5.7% increase, driven by Germany’s strong performance. While demand remains sluggish, this rebound signals positive momentum for steel producers worldwide. 🔗 Read the full story with Shively Bros.: https://bit.ly/41ujAuD 

🌎 China's dominance in critical minerals is a wake-up call for U.S. supply chains. 🔑 Key facts: China produces 70% of the world's rare earth elements and leads in 30 of the 50 minerals on the U.S. critical minerals list. U.S. stockpiles of critical minerals like nickel are less than 5% of annual defense needs. Developing alternative mineral supplies can take years due to long-term agreements and permitting delays. 📦 To protect industries like defense and EV production, the U.S. must ramp up mineral stockpiling, secure agreements with allies, and invest in exploration and development. Read further with Shively Bros.: https://bit.ly/3ZAuX2R 

🔄 Reshaping Global Supply Chains Amid Tariff Hikes With potential U.S. tariffs of up to 60% on Chinese imports and 10%-20% on other trade partners, manufacturers face a seismic shift in global supply chains. Diversifying sourcing and production strategies is no longer optional—it’s essential for resilience and cost competitiveness. 💡 Key Insights from the Four-Step Framework: 1️⃣ Reassess what processes to keep in-house vs. outsource. 2️⃣ Strategically decide where to produce and source. 3️⃣ Vet suppliers carefully to determine whom to work with. 4️⃣ Foster strong relationships to manage how sourcing is executed. 🌍 Industries like manufacturing are turning to alternatives like Vietnam and India while balancing the complexities of nearshoring and offshore dependencies. 🔗 Take a deeper dive into these strategies with Shively Bros.: https://bit.ly/4g9GDik 

🦃 This Thanksgiving, Shively Bros. wants to express a heartfelt thanks to our incredible customers and supply partners. Your trust, loyalty, and collaboration drive our success every single day. 🙌 From our team to yours, have a happy, safe, and joyful Thanksgiving! 🥧🍁 Take a moment to test your Thanksgiving knowledge: https://bit.ly/4ilaWVx 

📦🌍 Navigating Tariff Uncertainty: 5 Key Strategies for Manufacturers As trade policy looms large on the agenda for President-elect Donald J. Trump, manufacturers must prepare for potential tariff changes—especially with China and Mexico under scrutiny. While the specifics remain unclear, taking proactive steps now can save headaches later. ✅ Review your supply chain thoroughly—including Tier 2 and 3 suppliers. ✅ Evaluate tariff risks with data from U.S. Customs & Border Protection, focusing on China and Mexico. ✅ Strengthen relationships with customs brokers to manage bond requirements effectively. ✅ Avoid overstocking materials—it can backfire with higher costs and storage challenges. ✅ Steer clear of unethical sourcing shortcuts—integrity matters in trade compliance. These insights, shared by industry experts during IndustryWeek’s Production Pulse, highlight the importance of strategic preparation. Stay informed and agile as the tariff landscape evolves. 💡 Watch the full discussion with Shively Bros.: https://bit.ly/4ePsEgJ 

Fabridor, a custom cabinet manufacturer in Quebec, faced mounting quality challenges that standard QA processes couldn’t solve. Here's how they used automation to transform their operations: ✅ Problem: Low QA sample rates missed sanding errors on MDF doors, leading to quality complaints and lost customers. ✅ Solution: After a two-year search, Fabridor partnered with automation integrator Vention to deploy sanding robots. ✅ Result: Productivity increased from 17.5 to 22 doors per hour (+25%); better sanding uniformity improved customer feedback; a path to reclaim lost customers is in sight. This bold move was a leap of trust for leadership—but it’s proving to be worth the risk. Read the full story with Shively Bros.: https://bit.ly/3YQfvxO 

🌱 5 Tips to Reduce Waste in Manufacturing 🌱 Reducing waste isn't just about cutting costs—it’s about boosting efficiency, improving employee morale, and driving sustainability. Here are key takeaways from an operations leader’s advice: 1️⃣ Use Less Material: Conduct waste audits, go paperless, and recycle everything from thread cones to tech equipment. 2️⃣ Save Time: Implement tracking tech like RFID to streamline processes and eliminate bottlenecks. 3️⃣ Embrace AI: Use AI to optimize workflows and improve design processes, reducing errors and time spent. 4️⃣ Optimize Workflow: Cut excess movements—less strain on workers, more output per hour! 5️⃣ Utilize Your Talent: Train employees to ensure tasks match their skill levels for maximum efficiency. 🌟 Start with small changes today to see a big impact tomorrow. Waste less, produce more! Learn more with Shively Bros. here: https://bit.ly/3Og6R7c