1H 2023 Manufacturing M&A Report

The first half of the year has shown us two sides of manufacturing – a contrast between the back-to-basics of making big, boring stuff in established sectors, but also a peek into innovative solutions for flaws exposed during the post-pandemic supply chain debacle. This time, the old saying “may you live in interesting times” isn’t a curse but a trove of opportunities. Under-the-radar, old school concerns such as energy, industrials, and staffing appear to be one trend. A return to the services we all need and use. Meanwhile there’s a renewed focus on people. No matter how high-tech manufacturing gets, the sector still needs to recruit, train, retain, and retrain workers. No easy feat in an era of low unemployment in the United States.