MACHINERY NEWS & UPDATES

As 2024 closes and the door opens on 2025 what lies ahead for manufacturing?  2024 was interesting as more and more manufacturers, equipment dealers and MRO suppliers dealt with a changing business environment.  Almost silently,  consolidations occurred, businesses closed, and  Private Equity invaded small, family owned operations.

Detroit Process Machinery remained above the fray and continued to service our customers in the powder and allied industries.  We have however sat back and observed a changing landscape that does not bode well for industry.

-Private Equity purchases of long-standing tooling and new equipment suppliers.  Do these entities have the best interest of employees or their operating communities in mind?

-Loss of experienced engineering, equipment maintenance and active management in manufacturing.  We often wonder how anything gets produced based on some interactions with manufacturing personnel at many companies.

-Lack of entrepreneurial spirit to start a business, grow a business or take a risk.  Smaller companies seem to just be existing in hopes of being “bought-out”.  Larger companies just seem to be looking at ways to off-shore their manufacturing while maintaining a cursory presence in the U.S.  Start-ups are non existent due to costs, lack of qualified labor and regulatory restraints.

-“Dumped” manufacturing equipment, made in China and India is becoming more accepted by less experienced U.S. purchasers who don’t understand the lack of quality they are buying.  Looks good and it’s cheap doesn’t mean it’s the right choice in the long-run.

In 2025 Detroit Process Machinery will continue to adapt and use our experience to continue serving our customers.  We expect a brisk business as U.S. manufacturing tries to weather more closures and consolidations, especially in the component industries.