Carol Cain

Free Press Business Columnist

As manufacturing continues to evolve amid a technology revolution, Mark Hackel is celebrating a report that named Macomb County as the No. 1 spot in the nation for creating the most manufacturing jobs.

For Hackel, who has served as Macomb County executive since 2011 and witnessed the economic ups and downs, the report is reason for a happy dance.

“It was incredible to see the national manufacturing numbers with Macomb County at the top of the list,” said Hackel. “There were more than 9,000 new jobs created in the sector over several quarters, and that’s inspiring because just a few short years ago, many people doubted the future of manufacturing in the United States. But here in Macomb, we held firm to the belief that our manufacturers would remain a key driver of economic prosperity, and that shows in this new report.”

Hackel was responding to a report from the U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics, which quoted data from the White House Council of Economic Advisers. It found that between the fourth quarter of 2016 and the second quarter of 2018 that 9,118 new manufacturing jobs were created in Macomb County, adding to a manufacturing workforce driven by 1,600 companies employing more than 72,000 people.

Wayne, Oakland and Kent counties also made the list of top 40 U.S. counties with the largest increase in manufacturing employment.

The manufacturing story today has improved from when Hackel started his current job.

“At that time, we were experiencing the effects of the recession and the crisis within the auto industry,” he said. "These events certainly drove questions around what was next for manufacturing, but today, we have a completely refreshed and reinvigorated view of the sector driven by future tech and future talent. “

Hackel credited his Department of Planning and Economic Development for helping the cause.

“They forecasted the difficulties that the manufacturing industry would face very early on and they worked with local companies to help them diversify and, ultimately, weather the crises,” he said. “So you had companies that were 100 percent automotive that have now branched out into defense, food processing and the production of medical devices.”

The auto industry has been full of headlines of late revolving around jobs. Fiat Chrysler announced it will build a new plant in Detroit and invest in several others creating more than 6,000 jobs. General Motors is retooling and reducing its workforce and talking about a few plant closures, while Ford is moving ahead with its Corktown expansion as it confronts with an $11 billion restructuring with fears about layoffs.

More:Ford, GM face another restructuring, but this time they are profitable

More:FCA to open Jeep factory in Detroit, invest $4.5 billion in southeast Michigan

Michigan Economic Development Corp. has been working with companies as the shift in manufacturing continues.

“We put the world on wheels over a century ago and we continue to lead the next revolution in transportation,” said Jeff Mason, CEO of MEDC. “Beyond the automotive industry, Michigan is home to industries across the manufacturing spectrum, from furniture to aerospace and medical devices to footwear. Michigan has the know-how and the talent that makes the state a leader in manufacturing.”

More to fix than roads

But talk to most CEOs and you’ll hear about jobs being available that go unfilled. Mechanics, engineers, IT, the list goes on. Some worry the situation could impact the manufacturing sector which remains vital to Michigan’s economy.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, who ran with “Fix the Damn Roads” as a rallying cry, has been beating the drum about the need to also close the skills gap. She talked about it at the Detroit Free Press Breakfast Club event on Jan. 18.

Whitmer has been traveling the state, and visited Oakland Community College on Feb. 14 to see the skilled trades program at its Auburn Hills campus. OCC created a T-shirt for her with a play on her slogan that read, “Fix the Damn Skills Gap” to reinforce the urgency.

“Without a skilled workforce, manufacturing will slow down,” said Peter Provenzano Jr., chancellor of OCC. “Our greatest challenge is awareness that educational pathways exist that lead to high pay, technologically advanced manufacturing jobs. Through our partnerships with industry, K-12, government and non-profits like the Detroit Economic Club’s Career Readiness Academy, OCC is building awareness and outreach.”

The school is expanding its programs in engineering, manufacturing and industrial technology and partnering with Hurco, FANUC, AutoDesk and FCA Mopar.

Hackel, meanwhile, isn’t taking anything for granted as he works to hold onto his county's position in manufacturing.

“Macomb County has strategically positioned itself at the critical intersection of production-based expertise and digital innovation,” Hackel said. “We have an immense cluster of facilities and a highly skilled workforce that can meet any challenge, so from concept to consume. Simply put, we’re open for business.”

Contact Carol Cain: 313-222-6732 or clcain@cbs.com. She is senior producer/host of “Michigan Matters,” which airs 11:30 a.m. Sundays on CBS 62. See Automation Alley’s Tom Kelly, SCORE Detroit’s Donna Hover-Ojeda, National Business League’s Charlie Beckham and SBA Michigan’s Constance Logan on this Sunday’s show.