Something big is happening in U.S. manufacturing.

ArcelorMittal, the second-largest steel producer in the world, just announced a $0.9 billion investment in a new steel manufacturing facility in Calvert, Alabama. The plant is set to open in 2027 and will produce 150 kilotons of non-grain-oriented electrical steel (NOES) every year. If that sounds technical, here’s what matters. This type of steel is critical for producing full-size pickups, SUVs, and other larger vehicles, and with hybrid sales climbing to a five-year high, demand is only growing.

Manufacturers are spending billions to expand production and secure supply chains, but no one is talking about the most important factor in all of this. Labor.

Steel plants do not run on investments alone. Manufacturing does not move without skilled tradespeople. It takes machinists, welders, millwrights, CNC programmers, and industrial maintenance technicians to bring these billion-dollar projects to life.

Right now, there aren’t enough of them to meet the demand.

Manufacturing is Surging. The Workforce is Not.

The U.S. automotive sector is booming. Automakers are building more. Supply chains are stretching farther. Investments like ArcelorMittal’s are only the beginning. That is all great news for the industry, but it exposes a problem that keeps getting worse. There are not enough skilled workers to keep up.

A lack of available talent means missed deadlines, supply chain disruptions, and production delays. When major manufacturing expansions happen, companies need highly trained, ready-to-go technicians who can hit the ground running. That is where FlexTrades steps in.

We specialize in solving workforce gaps before they become production problems. We do not just place people in jobs. We deploy skilled tradespeople exactly where and when they are needed. That is the difference between keeping up with demand and falling behind.

The Future of U.S. Manufacturing is Skilled Labor

ArcelorMittal’s $0.9 billion plant is a bet on the future of U.S. manufacturing. It is proof that production is not slowing down. It is also a reminder that technology and infrastructure are only part of the equation. A factory filled with state-of-the-art machines is worthless if there is no one to run them.

Manufacturers must shift the way they think about workforce strategy. Investing in the right people is just as important as investing in new plants, new equipment, and new technology. Without a scalable, flexible workforce, growth is nothing more than potential.

The companies that will thrive in this new era of U.S. manufacturing are the ones that prioritize skilled labor as a competitive advantage.

FlexTrades is already doing that.

Let’s Build the Future of U.S. Manufacturing Together

If you are a manufacturer looking for skilled tradespeople to meet growing demand, let’s talk. If you are a highly trained worker looking for opportunities to work on exciting projects across the country, we want to hear from you.

The future of manufacturing belongs to those who are ready to build it.