The Hidden Crisis in U.S. Manufacturing: The Dependence on Imported Fasteners
TL;DR
Mike McGuire highlights the strategic advantage of reviving US fastener manufacturing to reduce dependency on imports and secure military and industrial supply chains.
The US imports over 85% of its fasteners, with critical shortages in domestic production and education on fastener application engineering, prompting McGuire's educational initiatives.
Revitalizing US fastener production and education ensures a safer, more resilient manufacturing sector, safeguarding jobs and national security for future generations.
Discover how the humble fastener holds the key to national security and industrial innovation, with Mike McGuire leading the charge for change.
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The United States is grappling with a silent but severe manufacturing crisis as it increasingly relies on imported fasteners, with more than 85% of these critical components coming from overseas, notably China and Taiwan. This dependency not only threatens the stability of American manufacturing but also raises significant national security concerns, especially in times of geopolitical tensions or supply chain disruptions.
Mike McGuire, a Fastener Hall of Fame inductee and a staunch advocate for U.S. manufacturing, highlights the dire consequences of this trend. The Defense Logistics Agency's growing 'No Bid' list, which includes fasteners no longer produced domestically in sufficient quantities or quality, underscores the vulnerability of the U.S. defense and manufacturing sectors. The absence of domestic production for common items like the ¼-20 hex nut and drywall screws exemplifies the depth of the crisis.
McGuire points out that the issue is compounded by a lack of formal education in fastener technology within U.S. engineering programs, leaving future engineers unprepared to address these challenges. In response, he is collaborating with Trident Technical College to introduce a course in Fastening Application Engineering and developing a comprehensive guide to promote innovative fastener use.
The stakes are high, with fastener failures accounting for 80% of vehicle recalls, leading to significant financial losses and, in some cases, fatalities. Despite their critical role, fasteners are often undervalued, classified as low-priority 'Class C' components. McGuire argues for a paradigm shift, emphasizing that fasteners are foundational to both industrial and national security.
With a shrinking domestic workforce skilled in fastener production and the U.S. having lost much of its World War II-era production capacity, the call to action is clear. McGuire urges immediate investment in education and domestic production to safeguard the future of American manufacturing and national security.
Curated from 24-7 Press Release
