China may currently be the world's manufacturing powerhouse, but not for long. A recent Deloitte poll showed that the United States is expected to surpass China as the most competitive manufacturer in the world by the year 2020. The American competitiveness ranking was fourth in 2010, so this is an impressive jump. What is helping to bring the U.S. back on top? 

Talent and technology
The survey polled 500 executives at manufacturing firms all over the world in order to determine the most competitive climates. Deloitte researchers highlighted American investments in talent and technology as the game changers. In the past, other nations have dominated the global competition with cheaper labor. China reached the top global rankings in the 1990s due in part to cheaper labor, but it has been falling ever since. Now, American manufacturers are poised to retake the top spot.

Cheap labor is no longer the deciding factor among competitiveness. Smart technologies are automating more tasks and reducing the number of workers required. Enterprise resource planning software is an example of such technology, which lets manufacturers automate tasks to improve efficiencies and reduce human errors. Manufacturers that use ERP solutions enjoy increased efficiency at every level of the supply chain. 

Advanced technologies and materials are now the most important deciding factors, and the U.S. has these in spades. Manufacturing in America has become an increasingly technical job, and as manufacturers grow it's been a challenge to find individuals with the experiences and the technological qualifications to manage these growing enterprises. 

Microsoft Dynamics NAV is an ERP tool built for growing manufacturers. By streamlining processes and improving efficiencies, Dynamics NAV is helping to build the next generation of manufacturers. To learn more about Dynamics NAV and how this business management software can help your enterprise, contact Accent Software.