7. "A manufacturing beachhead
is being formed in the
American South and in
Mexico.”
-- Michael C. Randle, editor of Southern
Business & Development on CNBC in 2008
8. "South poised for wave of
plants, editor says."
-- Headline of an article in
The Birmingham News in 2009.
9. "If you think manufacturing is
dead in the South, you really
need to think again. If
anything, it is just getting
started.“
-- Michael C. Randle on CNN in 2009
10. Finally, I was asked, “Mike, why is the
South seeing such an increase in
manufacturing activity?”
“Well, after a recession, the South historically has seen a
significant increase in activity as a result of companies
seeking lower cost locations to operate from in
the U.S.”
11. Manufacturing project bumps in the
American South one full year after
recessions since 1991.
1993: 29 manufacturing projects of $30 million invested and/or 200 jobs
2003: 22 manufacturing projects of $30 million invested and/or 200 jobs
2010: 107 manufacturing projects of $30 million invested and/or 200 jobs
12. The Chinese advantage is shrinking fast
"China's overwhelming manufacturing cost
advantage over the U.S. is shrinking fast. Within
five years, a Boston Consulting Group analysis
concludes, rising Chinese wages, higher U.S.
productivity, a weaker dollar, and other
factors will virtually close the cost gap
between the U.S. and China for many goods
consumed in North America."
-- The New York Times, August 9, 2011
13. When all costs are taken into account
"When all costs are taken into account, certain U.S.
states in the South, such as South Carolina, Alabama
and Tennessee, will turn out to be among the least
expensive production sites in the industrialized world.
As a result, we expect companies to begin building
more capacity in the U.S. to supply North America.
The early evidence of such a shift is mounting."
-- Boston Consulting Group, August 2011
14. "Mike, the Bridgestone project
was approved for Asia, so your
theory may be right."
-- Mark Williams, President of Strategic
Development Group
16. "Between 2001 and 2010, the United
States lost 2.8 million jobs to China, with
1.9 million of those jobs in the
manufacturing sector."
-- The Economic Policy Institute, July 2011
"Of those 1.9 million lost manufacturing
jobs, we estimate that 1,038,000 came
from Southern states."
-- Mike Randle, Southern Business & Development, July 2011
17. Since 2010, over 900,000
manufacturing jobs have
been created in the U.S.,
with approximately 400,000
of those in the South.
18. There is an added benefit to
reshoring that few are talking
about. If it doesn’t make sense to
manufacture many products in
China for U.S. consumption,
wouldn’t it make sense that shift
will force Chinese manufacturers
to offshore production to
North America?
19. Chinese Greenfield & Acquisition
Deals 2000 to Q2 2015
West 412
South 316
Midwest 196
Northeast 193
Total: 1,117 Deals
Source: Rhodium Group. Deals with a values of
$500,000 or more.
21. Top Manufacturing Sectors in
the South, 2010-2014
1. Automotive 352
2. Oil & Gas 243
3. Food & Beverage 187
4. Chemicals 184
5. Aviation & Aerospace 118
6. Building Materials 100
7. Electronics 76
8. Metals 62
9. Cleantech 36
10. Furniture 30
Textiles & Apparel 30
Paper 30
Number of manufacturing projects announced in the South meeting or exceeding 200 jobs
and/or $30 million in investment in the top 10 industry sectors
from Jan. 1, 2010 to Dec. 31, 2014.
Source: Southern Business & Development