RSM's Ryan McGurk on Manufacturing's Pivot, Challenges

CBIA BizCast host Ali Warshavsky speaks with RSM's Ryan McGurk ahead of the release of the annual Connecticut Manufacturing Report at the Oct. 29 Made in Connecticut: 2021 Manufacturing Summit. RSM partnered with CBIA and affiliates CONNSTEP and ReadyCT on the report, which reviews the state of the sector, examines the impact of state and federal policies, and explores the outlook for the next 12 months, including growth factors, legislative priorities, and hiring and investment trends. McGurk said that just as manufacturers pivoted last year to respond to the pandemic, they are pivoting again to leverage new opportunities and address a number of significant challenges. "A lot of companies had to pivot and pivot very quickly," said McGurk, RSM's senior manager, industrials audit policy leader. “Whether it was opening a third shift or figuring out how to practice and develop social distancing which in the past, wasn't a concept especially on the manufacturing floor where you might have to work closely with other people of the production team or operations.” McGurk said the labor shortage remains one of the biggest obstacles to growth for Connecticut manufacturers. Please rate, review, and subscribe to the BizCast wherever you get your podcasts—we appreciate your support! If you have a story to tell, contact Ali Warshavsky.