L2L Manufacturing Index

At L2L (Leading2Lean), we are dedicated to helping manufacturers be their best at producing the goods that businesses and consumers use every day. We understand and appreciate the importance of manufacturing to the U.S. economy, as well as the intense pressure on manufacturers to remain competitive in the global economy. It is for these reasons that we launched the annual L2L Manufacturing Index.

Our Goal

L2L is focused on helping manufacturers to improve operations, reduce costs, and maximize plant efficiency through digital transformation. L2L works with manufacturers of all industries to provide a suite of software solutions that engage workers at all levels to own and drive improvement, enabling these factories to win the day, every day.

We feel it is our responsibility to understand general perceptions of the manufacturing industry in order to move it forward.

With the L2L Manufacturing Index, we annually measure and report on the American public’s perception of manufacturing in the U.S. We look at key metrics and track trends over time so, as the manufacturing sector evolves, the public’s understanding of it can be assessed.

See Who's Talking about the L2L Manufacturing Index Data

Forbes-logo-small-1 "70 percent of people think the overall industry is in decline while 58 percent believe the number of manufacturing jobs in America is declining.  In reality, manufacturing is growing at such a fast rate that over the next decade, nearly 3.5 million manufacturing jobs will need to be filled and an estimated 2 million of those jobs will go unfilled.  It does not look like manufacturing is in decline."  -  Forbes

business-insider-logo-small A recent Manufacturing Index study by L2L... found that generation significantly affected how Americans view manufacturing careers." - Business Insider

 
 

tfLnew_logo A new survey conducted by L2L reveals that there is an unlikely hope for a new generation of workers that will spur industry-wide innovation."   - Tech Funnel

 

fractory logo"According to a survey carried out by L2L, working in manufacturing is much more popular than one would expect."  - Fractory.com

Key 2019 Index Findings

 
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manufacturing jobs
manufacturing industry trends

 

2019 Methodology

The findings of the 2019 L2L Manufacturing Index are the result of two online omnibus surveys conducted in May of 2019 by Engine.

Both online omnibus surveys included the same exact questions with the same selection of answers for all survey takers. Respondents for this survey were selected from among those who have volunteered to participate in online surveys and polls.

Survey Part 1

Conducted between May 6-8, 2019, the first survey was:

  • Conducted among a sample of 1,003 adults
  • Comprised of 501 men and 502 women 18 years of age or older
  • Demographically representative of the U.S and reflects a 95% confidence level

Survey Part 2

Conducted between May 9-13, 2019, the second survey was:

  • Conducted among a sample of 225 adults
  • Comprised of 114 men and 111 women aged 18-22 
  • Demographically representative of the U.S and reflects a 95% confidence level

Accuracy & Parameters

All sample surveys and polls may be subject to multiple sources of error, including, but not limited to sampling error, coverage error, error associated with nonresponse, error associated with question wording and response options, and post-survey weighting and adjustments.

L2L has defined “Generation Z” as those born between 1997 and 2012 as defined by the Pew Research Center in 2019.* The use of “Generation Z” in any subsequent messaging material regarding this survey comprises of 303 total respondents between the ages of 18-22: 78 respondents from the May 6-8 survey and 225 respondents from the May 9-13 survey. Combined, the audiences reflect a 95% confidence level and 6% margin of error.

L2L has defined “Millennials” as those born between 1981 and 1996 as defined by the Pew Research Center in 2019.* The use of “Millennials” in any subsequent messaging material regarding this survey refers to 331 total respondents between the ages 23-38 from the May 6-8 survey. This audience reflects a 95% confidence level and 6% margin of error.

About Engine: A data-driven marketing solutions company, Engine is a collaborative and consultative research partner to hundreds of organizations around the globe. The company conducts an online omnibus study twice a week among a demographically representative U.S. sample. 

 

I Want More Information

Are you with a media outlet, manufacturing trade association or looking for speakers? We are pleased to discuss making our senior leadership available to talk in-depth about our Manufacturing Index findings. Send us a note using this form.

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2018 Methodology

L2L utilized a professional market research company, ORC International, to perform an online survey of 1,002 adults 18+ that were demographically representative of the U.S. population. The survey was administered in July, 2018 and the results are accurate at a 95% confidence interval.

Key 2018 Index Findings

Ten Key 2018 Index Findings

Ten Key 2018 Index Findings