Beyond Tariffs: Why Skilled People Still Power Manufacturing in 2025

Tariffs may dominate the headlines—but they’re not the biggest challenge facing manufacturers today. The real obstacle? A growing skills gap in the people responsible for making automation work.

At Industrial Automation Co., we’ve seen firsthand that high-performance systems aren’t just built with advanced drives and HMIs. They’re built by people—engineers, technicians, programmers—who know how to apply them, wire them, test them, and trust them.

The dream of reshoring and plug-and-play production falls flat without this human element.

Digital Files Can’t Replace Skilled Hands

In theory, modern manufacturing technologies like additive manufacturing (AM), CNC, and digital twins should make reshoring easy. Design a part in the U.S., send the file to a local machine, and you're good to go—right?

Wrong.

That might work for basic parts like brackets or gaskets. But when it comes to mission-critical components—like industrial drives, control panels, or heat exchangers—no machine runs itself. You still need people who understand geometry, tolerances, material properties, and failure risks. And those people are in short supply.

When the Workforce Isn’t Ready, Technology Stalls

We’ve all seen the hype: "Bring manufacturing home!"

But when companies buy advanced systems without upskilling their team, the results are disappointing:

• Machines sit idle because no one knows how to troubleshoot the servo tuning.
• “Plug-and-play” drives get returned because parameters weren’t configured correctly.
• New HMIs go dark because there’s no in-house protocol knowledge.

Technology doesn’t fail—underinvestment in skills does.

That’s why manufacturers buying drives, PLCs, and HMIs today aren’t just looking for parts. They’re looking for partners who understand legacy systems, integration hurdles, and real-world constraints.

What It Means for Automation Leaders

Here’s the hard truth: tariffs are exposing cracks that already existed.

• Supply chain fragility? We saw that in 2020.
• Labor shortages? They’re now structural.
• Overreliance on global vendors? It’s risky, especially for lead times.

And in every case, the solution isn't just more automation—it’s more skill.

At Industrial Automation Co., we’ve helped customers rebuild production capacity with refurbished, in-stock parts that work. But more importantly, we support the people behind those systems. Because without trained hands, even the best tech is just metal and code.

3 Practical Steps for Building Resilient Capacity

If you're a plant manager, controls engineer, or OEM buyer feeling the pressure, here’s what we recommend:

1. Don’t Just Buy Tech—Invest in Your Team

If you're upgrading to PowerFlex 750s or Siemens S7-1500s, make sure your team understands:

• Parameter programming
• Protocols like PROFINET or EtherNet/IP
• Safety system configuration

2. Standardize Knowledge Transfer

Every time you replace a legacy drive or HMI:

• Document the wiring
• Archive parameter sets
• Create a simple job aid for future replacements

Future you will thank you.

3. Partner with Suppliers Who Understand the Transition

A supplier who just sells part numbers can’t help you recover from downtime.

A supplier who understands 1336-to-750 conversions? Or the quirks of MR-J2S tuning curves?

That’s who you want on speed dial.

The Real Answer to Tariffs Isn’t Politics—It’s People

Tariffs may raise prices. Regulations may change. But the one lever you control is how you prepare your team for what’s next.

Whether it’s additive manufacturing, advanced motion systems, or simply replacing an obsolete PLC, one truth remains:

“You can’t download experience from the cloud.”

At Industrial Automation Co., we stand behind your people with the parts, insight, and support they need to succeed—even when global trade doesn’t.

Need help finding the right part—or solving the right problem?
Contact our team today →