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Introduction

Nov. 19, 2018, © Leeham News: The move toward increasing automation makes US more competitive than moving work to other countries, an expert in industrial efficiencies said last week at a meeting sponsored by the Pacific Northwest Aerospace Alliance.

The same is true when it comes to states competing against other states, he said—something that is especially relevant as Washington State girds for expected competition from Southern states, and especially South Carolina, for the prospective Boeing New Midmarket Airplane.

Summary

• Automation reduces US labor costs.
• 60% of Boeing’s workforce is eligible for retirement in the next six years.
• Optimizing the manufacturing value chain based on finite resources.
• Pressure for speedy decisions is greater than ever.