Design World

  • Home
  • Technologies
    • ELECTRONICS • ELECTRICAL
    • Fastening • joining
    • FLUID POWER
    • LINEAR MOTION
    • MOTION CONTROL
    • SENSORS
    • TEST & MEASUREMENT
    • Factory automation
    • Warehouse automation
    • DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION
  • Learn
    • Tech Toolboxes
    • Learning center
    • eBooks • Tech Tips
    • Podcasts
    • Videos
    • Webinars • general engineering
    • Webinars • Automated warehousing
    • Voices
  • LEAP Awards
  • 2025 Leadership
    • 2024 Winners
    • 2023 Winners
    • 2022 Winners
    • 2021 Winners
  • Design Guides
  • Resources
    • Subscribe
    • 3D Cad Models
      • PARTsolutions
      • TraceParts
    • Digital Issues
      • Design World
      • EE World
    • Educational Assets
    • Engineering diversity
    • Trends
  • Supplier Listings
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe

September 2021 Issue: Recipes for Success: Doughnut Maker is a Machine Builder First

By Design World Staff | September 13, 2021

2022 indications bode well for manufacturing

At the National Fluid Power’s annual International Economic Outlook Conference, Alan Beaulieu of ITR Economics spoke on “U.S. & Global Macro Trends and Impacts,” and the overall outlook is positive for the manufacturing world. In examining the U.S. economic leading trends, it seems clear that there will be a slowing ascent in the next calendar year. But Beaulieu insisted that today’s anxieties (such as supply chain issues) will ease in 2022, and next year will be a more measured business that manufacturers will enjoy — and prosper in.

Interestingly, he explained that we shouldn’t worry about interest rates; they aren’t going up anytime soon, and when they do, it will not be by a large amount. In fact, he implored the business owners in the audience to “go out there and make an acquisition now.” Beaulieu said to be aggressive with their businesses but not to use too much cash — instead, borrow money and take advantage of these low interest rates.

Concerning the physical infrastructure bill that’s moving through Congress, he thinks that it will come to fruition and the money will be spent in the next 5-7 years. Beaulieu, while not a fan of deficit spending, said that very little investment in infrastructure has been a trend for years, and it is really needed. He described himself as a big fan of the bill, because we’ve ignored infrastructure for so long. And the coming infrastructure work will be a shot in the arm for the construction and related fields, positively impacting mobile equipment manufacturers.

Other interesting comments from Beaulieu included:

  • There is a lot of deficit spending that we’re getting away with now that we won’t be able to in the future. When inflation really heats up, it will become a disaster. This is not a “today” problem, but it’s a future problem.
  • If you believe the partisan logic that “the other party” is responsible for massive deficit spending, the data simply doesn’t support that. Both parties are equally guilty, especially when measured over decades.
  • There’s a political emphasis on climate change that won’t be going away any time soon.
  • What we’ve gone through over the last 18 months has made us agile and has shown us that we can change.
  • There are record high new orders through 2023. Manufacturing in this country is kicking it … it’s an exciting forecast for the coming year.
  • The U.S. is the second largest manufacturing and exporting nation in the world (China is number one). People who say we don’t manufacture anything here anymore, “don’t know what they’re talking about.”
  • Right now, it is the workforce that is in power. You’re going to have to play that game for years to come. If you don’t like that, your options are to automate — or quit.
  • You can make a very good living in the trades, and we’re finally starting to understand that in this country. If you get your child to learn a trade, they’ll be in as good of a position as that kid with a four-year college degree who graduates with a bunch of debt … and they’ll be primed to make a good living and someday retire successfully.

Paul J. Heney – VP, Editorial Director
[email protected]
On Twitter @wtwh_paulheney

You Might Also Like


Filed Under: DIGITAL ISSUES • DESIGN WORLD

 

LEARNING CENTER

Design World Learning Center
“dw
EXPAND YOUR KNOWLEDGE AND STAY CONNECTED
Get the latest info on technologies, tools and strategies for Design Engineering Professionals.
Motor University

Design World Digital Edition

cover

Browse the most current issue of Design World and back issues in an easy to use high quality format. Clip, share and download with the leading design engineering magazine today.

EDABoard the Forum for Electronics

Top global problem solving EE forum covering Microcontrollers, DSP, Networking, Analog and Digital Design, RF, Power Electronics, PCB Routing and much more

EDABoard: Forum for electronics

Sponsored Content

  • Sustainability, Innovation and Safety, Central to Our Approach
  • Why off-highway is the sweet spot for AC electrification technology
  • Looking to 2025: Past Success Guides Future Achievements
  • North American Companies Seek Stronger Ties with Italian OEMs
  • Adapt and Evolve
  • Sustainable Practices for a Sustainable World
View More >>
Engineering Exchange

The Engineering Exchange is a global educational networking community for engineers.

Connect, share, and learn today »

Design World
  • About us
  • Contact
  • Manage your Design World Subscription
  • Subscribe
  • Design World Digital Network
  • Control Engineering
  • Consulting-Specifying Engineer
  • Plant Engineering
  • Engineering White Papers
  • Leap Awards

Copyright © 2025 WTWH Media LLC. All Rights Reserved. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of WTWH Media
Privacy Policy | Advertising | About Us

Search Design World

  • Home
  • Technologies
    • ELECTRONICS • ELECTRICAL
    • Fastening • joining
    • FLUID POWER
    • LINEAR MOTION
    • MOTION CONTROL
    • SENSORS
    • TEST & MEASUREMENT
    • Factory automation
    • Warehouse automation
    • DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION
  • Learn
    • Tech Toolboxes
    • Learning center
    • eBooks • Tech Tips
    • Podcasts
    • Videos
    • Webinars • general engineering
    • Webinars • Automated warehousing
    • Voices
  • LEAP Awards
  • 2025 Leadership
    • 2024 Winners
    • 2023 Winners
    • 2022 Winners
    • 2021 Winners
  • Design Guides
  • Resources
    • Subscribe
    • 3D Cad Models
      • PARTsolutions
      • TraceParts
    • Digital Issues
      • Design World
      • EE World
    • Educational Assets
    • Engineering diversity
    • Trends
  • Supplier Listings
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe
We use cookies to personalize content and ads, to provide social media features, and to analyze our traffic. We share information about your use of our site with our social media, advertising, and analytics partners who may combine it with other information you’ve provided to them or that they’ve collected from your use of their services. You consent to our cookies if you continue to use this website.OkNoRead more