It’s impossible to imagine our country without its generations of hard-working – and prospering – manufacturers. Today, on Manufacturing Day, members of the lead battery industry want to thank, celebrate and inspire the next generation of these important contributors.
We’re doing that by dispelling some misperceptions revealed in the 2017 U.S. Public Opinion of Manufacturing study, the sixth such study by Deloitte and The Manufacturing Institute. Foremost, we’re addressing this puzzler: One-third of Americans would not encourage their children to pursue manufacturing careers, despite 84 percent of those Americans believing that manufacturing is important to America’s economic prosperity. Why the discrepancy?
Belief: There is no security and stability in manufacturing careers (77 % of respondents).
Fact: The U.S. lead battery industry drives economic growth.
Our industry:
- Directly employs more than 20,500 people
- Supports 35,860 supplier jobs in a variety of industries and 38,320 jobs from worker spending
- Benefits from a circular economy and a 99 percent recycling rate (very appealing to next-gen workers)
- Produced an overall $28.5 billion economic impact (2016 data), while powering nearly 270 million cars and trucks
Belief: Manufacturing isn’t a strong career path (70% of respondents).
Fact: Lead batteries are essential for America’s infrastructure needs.
That essentiality means manufacturing jobs within our industry – for laborers through higher-level positions in engineering and operations – are equally essential and growing. Without lead batteries, our 24-7 need for communications, data storage and logistics would grind to a halt. Lead batteries are also increasingly important for renewable energy storage and a green economy.
Belief: Manufacturing doesn’t pay well (64% of respondents).
Fact: Salaries within the U.S. lead battery industry are higher than in many private sectors.
The average per-worker salary among lead mining and recycling companies is $83,606 and $62,343 among lead battery manufacturers. Many of these jobs are available to workers with a high school diploma. The industry also provides good jobs for those with advanced degrees in STEM and business.
Community Good, Too
But there’s more to our industry than economic data. Lead battery producers, facilities and distributors are committed to making a positive impact on their surrounding communities. Our members volunteer time and money toward community causes. All the more reason for family members to proudly follow their parents and grandparents into the vibrant manufacturing industry.
Learn More
- Read the study, Economic Contribution of the U.S. Lead Battery Industry
- Visit our Economic Impact page
- Download our infographic
- Download our share graphics for social media
