The year 2025 is right around the corner. And it probably goes without saying that some of the most impactful changes we’ll see in the American manufacturing space will be a new presidential administration and a new Congress. This magazine recently polled industry pros about the prospects of the incoming change. Some see optimism. Others see uncertainty. Per [DWM]:
[DWM]’s sister publication USGlass magazine polled glass and glazing company members on what Trump’s victory means for the industry, and out of 131 participants, 31% were concerned about increased costs due to tariffs. Forty-eight percent of the respondents expected the industry to experience a boost in domestic production. At the same time, 11% are uncertain how the next four years will play out, and 9% anticipate a minimal impact.
I won’t make any predictions here, but I do hope that our industry will see prosperous conditions. And I’d say the same in anticipation of any incoming new administration. Because for door and window manufacturers, success under changing economic or political conditions requires doing the same things: staying nimble; taking advantage of new technologies; following sound manufacturing best practices; and prioritizing worker safety.
Indeed, these things never go out of style. And that mindset drives this blog and the things I write about. It has been my honor this year to share with all of you some of the things I’ve learned in my career that can help you optimize your plant floor operations, and I’m looking forward to continuing in 2025. With all of that in mind, here are some tips I’ve written about this year that you can take with you into the new year.
Stick to the Fundamentals
Capitalizing on the opportunities that could present themselves in 2025 requires discipline. Though some of the unique challenges of the past few years may be dissipating, that doesn’t mean manufacturers can lose focus of the fundamentals. Making consistent, high-quality units safely and efficiently is how you grew your business in the first place. And it’s what will continue to enable you to grow your business under more favorable market conditions.
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Lean On Your Most Trusted Suppliers
For door and window makers, I think successfully navigating these challenges depends partly on leveraging your relationships with suppliers throughout the value chain. Indeed, they’re your partners for a reason, and they should have as much investment in your success as you do.
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Preventative Maintenance Can’t Be Overlooked
Preventative maintenance (PM) tasks make up the foundation of a good, overall maintenance program. These daily, weekly, monthly, and annual tasks can lead to some serious savings when put into practice on manufacturing floors anywhere. But making sure your PM tasks happen consistently and on schedule is where the rubber really meets the road.
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Continue to Invest In Your Operations
Technological change continues to impact manufacturing in every industry, and it’s our obligation to evaluate groundbreaking solutions and leverage them where it makes sense. It’s all about evaluating what’s right for your business.
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I hope you’ve enjoyed reading this blog as much as I’ve enjoyed writing it this year. Is there anything you’d like to see me cover next year? Drop me a line at John.Ryba@Quanex.com. I’d love to hear from you. Until then, see you in 2025!
John Ryba is technical services director for Quanex.