Over the last few years, investment capital has been pouring into Indiana's manufacturing sector. The influx of capital has stimulated new job growth and given public education a new direction by providing Hoosiers with an industry that offers them the potential for long term, secure employment. Despite its sustained success, the state has suffered a reduction in its manufacturing labor force.

The job loss is attributed to plans on behalf of manufacturer Vera Bradley. The business plans to cut 150 jobs by closing manufacturing operations during the entirety of the shift those employees worked. The decision by the quilt accessory producer to eliminate the second shift deviates from recent expansion on behalf of Indiana-based businesses within this industry.

Public relations manger Melissa Schenkel tried to temper the pessimism surrounding the cuts. She expressed Vera Bradley's plans to reschedule many of the 150 workers to first and/or third shift capacities. Schenkel quelled an concerns that this business strategy suggests a departure from its Indiana marketplace.

"We certainly take great pride in being able to produce a portion of our inventory in the U.S., and our Fort Wayne facility provides us with a great deal of flexibility when we are 'chasing' business and need a quick turn-around," Schenkel said.

Vera Bradley attributed the cost of manufacturing to the rationale behind this decision.

By implementing business management solutions specifically tailored to manufacturing enterprises, operational efficiency can reduce the impact that labor costs have on a company.

Accent Software, Inc. offers Indiana-based manufacturers the requisite business solutions that can enable them to grow, sustain and add employees instead of making its operations smaller. In doing so, businesses can continue to thrive in Indiana's manufacturing sector.