2013

(Posted Oct. 2013)

Overcoming the Challenges Ahead

NHBB is now faced with two major challenges in promoting sustainability. The first is securing technically qualified employees, and the other is strengthening supply chain management. Both are essential for achieving greater sustainability.

In New Hampshire—where two of our plants are located—it is very difficult to secure technically qualified employees because not only is the population aging, but manufacturing is not as popular as other industries. We therefore work with the state government to provide training so that people in the community may develop an interest in manufacturing and acquire skills. We also offer internships to university students as a way of providing actual job experience. By also pushing ahead with technological development, we can make improvements allowing us to do away with manufacturing processes that demand advanced skills, which would be useful in getting around the shortage of human resources.

Supply chain management is another area we need to direct energy into. A major quality- or environment-related issue occurring within the supply chain would likely have a negative impact on our own profit and so we need to strengthen management. We hope to strengthen the technical side of supply chain management through measures such as hiring new engineers.