August 29, 2025
Over the past several decades, manufacturing has undergone a dramatic transformation. Once the backbone of the U.S. economy, manufacturing labor has steadily declined, giving way to a new era defined by automation and advanced technology. This decline is not a new phenomenon, although it is easy to think it is. The graph below reveals that manufacturing labor decline has been constant since the 1940s. It also clearly shows the challenge for AICC members and their workers in the competitive labor environment.
The decline in manufacturing labor is attributable to two trends that we’ve seen unfolding for years: globalization and technological advancement. We all know that as production moved overseas to lower-cost countries, domestic manufacturing jobs disappeared. However, the box business is local, and even here, automation has increasingly replaced human labor, often out of necessity.
Automation offers undeniable benefits to manufacturers. Machines can operate continuously, often with greater precision and efficiency than human workers. This leads to lower production costs, increased output, and higher consistency in product quality. Yet, people remain a necessary production tool.
AICC has worked diligently over the past 10 years to create a robust education and training resource for members. We’re proud that Packaging University now boasts 10 colleges with more that 150 courses, many in Spanish. This helps AICC members recruit and retain talent throughout their enterprises and to show a path in manufacturing as a career.
Since the COVID-19 pandemic, AICC has also endeavored to educate members on the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) and automation. AICC members have always been early adopters of new methods and technology. This eagerness to embrace new approaches has been one of the many competitive advantages independents have.
Technology alone cannot solve the manufacturing labor issue. AICC is providing the resources and knowledge to position members to go after people and technology and to manage the transition between the two to be smooth and properly targeted. This includes education for team members to shift their roles from old to new tech.
Looking ahead, the rise of AI and machine learning is poised to further accelerate automation in manufacturing. Smart factories, powered by interconnected systems and real-time data, are becoming the new norm. Independent box plants will soon be there, too.
AICC, your Association, will see to it that you and your team members are prepared for this future.
Michael D’Angelo
AICC President
