Q&A: Zane Allen

Continued from page 9 manufacturing had a reliance on overseas production,” Chenevert said. “Now they see the negative results of the lack of production being done in the United States. Many manufacturers are subject to the decisions of the government in how they can acquire supplies.

“Many companies have learned a hard lesson on who they use regarding outside purchases,” he added. “I see certain companies seeking alternative suppliers and shifting a percentage of their supply chain to a more local source.”

Product shortages and extended lead times “have definitely been an extra challenge,” said David Spencer, CEO of Pawtucket’s family-owned Atlantic Paper & Supply. “Additionally, product costs have escalated at unprecedented rates. To combat these issues, our procurement team has increased inventory on all our critical product lines.

“As a smaller company, we’ve always had to be extra scrappy and resourceful,” he added. “I’m extremely proud of our people for the way they have dug in and gone the extra mile to ensure that customers get what they want, when they need it.”

Despite the obstacles and uncertainty, Chenevert sees opportunity for growth. In addition to discussion about reshoring product lines back into the U.S., the federal government is also stepping up support for manufacturing.

But for things to turn around locally, he says, more changes are needed.

“We have an opportunity to bring work into Rhode Island,” Chenevert said. “Reshoring has been difficult due to Rhode Island’s business climate. We have one of the worst business climates in the country. To develop reshoring, we must change that image. The state legislature needs to make the business community part of our economy’s solutions before they present legislation.”

RIMA, Polaris MEP, Bryant University’s John H. Chafee Center for International Business and the state have been working with manufacturers on reshoring efforts through a pilot program now in the development phase, which has provided valuable data on potential opportunities.

“This is an excellent example of how several organizations work together to improve the manufacturing ecosystem in Rhode Island,” Polaris’ Mahoney said. “When the pandemic shut down several supply chains from overseas, the importance of a domestic supply chain became even more relevant and important. Companies have not seen this type of disruption before. They needed to react quickly. Buying locally has always been critical to keep jobs in Rhode Island [and the nation].

“The pandemic has made everyone more aware of the importance of a local supply,” she said.

Polaris MEP has been connecting companies with suppliers through the MEP National Network. Although Rhode Island-based, nonprofit Polaris has resources in 50 states and Puerto Rico.

Local manufacturers understand some aspects of their businesses may never be the same as they were pre-pandemic, but they’re working both to embrace this reality and to open themselves up to new opportunities and ways of thinking.

“I see new programs in the K-12 schools to build an awareness of the opportunities for careers in manufacturing,” Mahoney said. “Manufacturing can provide a solid career for folks that want to make a difference and like to make things.

“Job training can provide the skills to grow a solid career path for their future selves and family. I also see manufacturers continuing to make an impact on the state’s economy through innovative programs at their companies and within the state to reinforce the critical need of manufacturing.

“A silver lining of the pandemic,” she said, “is manufacturing is more resilient, flexible and stronger.”

QA &

Zane Allen

Handles Unlimited CNC machinist/ machine operator

Zane Allen is a computer numerical control machinist/machine operator at custom handles, pulls and knobs manufacturer Handles Unlimited in Cranston. Manufacturing helped him find a desperately needed career path, but he says low pay keeps many young people from considering entry-level jobs.

1. How did you learn about the apprentice program with We Make

RI and what was your motivation for getting involved? I was 22 and it was the end of the summer in 2014. Most of my friends were graduating college. Meanwhile, I had been living at my mother’s house and working the same landscaping/gardening job since 2009. I wasn’t looking forward to working another winter outside. … I [read about] a training program … to become a CNC machinist. The program at the time was free if you were a Rhode Island resident and they provided job placement. . 2. What was the program like and what did you learn? The program has been refined since, but at the time its purpose was to give the student the necessary fundamentals to work the floor at a machine shop. It covered blueprint reading, basic math skills, soft skills training, how to read and write G-code, measurement basics, as well as a brief history on manufacturing.

3. What advice would you give to someone who is looking

for a job in manufacturing? I would recommend they work somewhere that they’re really interested in what is being made. Not just the product itself, but everything about it – how it’s been made, and how it’s being used by customers. … It’s also important to set goals for yourself. Define where you want to be, how you plan to get there and when you can make that happen.

4. What are some of the obstacles manufacturing companies

face in trying to attract young people? The simplest [answer] is many of these companies can’t afford to pay every worker a livable wage. Most shops have a workforce where 80% of the workers have a low level of skills; these people don’t make enough money.

5. Is job training readily available for those like yourself who

are already employed? It’s definitely out there. If you’re working at a smaller shop, the employee is probably seeking it out themselves or is being taught much less formally in-house. Traditionally, someone in my position would usually go on to become a toolmaker by going to a trade school or pursue a position in management.