Small-Scale Manufacturing

There’s certainly no shortage of opinion on how to deal with revitalizing local economies from coast to coast, yet there is one very promising trend benefiting local economies that needs more publicity and support. And the great news is that it is directly associated with making and assembling outdoor gear — small-scale manufacturing!

We’ve all grown somewhat accustomed to hearing banter about how the economy has changed and “back in my day” and such. We really shouldn’t grow immune to it or tune it out. We should grab it by the handlebars and go for a ride.

The summary below squarely hits the round nail on the head regarding the manufacturing transformation and the changes that have happened, and continue to happen, around us that make the old new again.

In the 20th century manufacturing transformed into a predominantly large-scale enterprise and moved out of neighborhoods and downtowns. Large-scale manufacturing became an incompatible use for neighborhoods and downtown areas due to its large physical scale, noise, significant freight requirements, and pollution. These factors ensured manufacturing’s separation from neighborhoods and commercial centers into standalone facilities or industrial parks. This change also created high barriers to entry in the manufacturing sector because production only occurred in high-cost, large scale plants and produced thousands of units at a time.

Now, recent technological and economic shifts—such as access to online marketplaces, the ability to process sales on mobile devices, and affordable access to tools for smaller production runs—have lowered those barriers. These trends are changing what is possible in manufacturing, and point the 21st century economy back to this new old trend: small-scale manufacturing.

Credit: Made In Place: Small-Scale Manufacturing and Neighborhood Revitalization

A great example of a company manufacturing on a small scale and doing it in style along Main Street in downtown Leadville, Colorado, is Melanzana. If you don’t know of this destination at elevation, check it out here and also take a peek at this blog post from Community Builders.

Next step – take action

Although global trade isn’t going away, small-scale manufacturing can benefit local economies across the country. Outdoor gear makers have a very big role to play as the outdoor recreation economy continues to grow. Small-scale outdoor gear manufacturers can truly benefit the places they love, and loved places are everywhere.

  • Visit Leadville, Colorado, and get yourself a “Melly” at Melanzana.
  • Check out The Goods and buy your next piece of outdoor gear from a company already manufacturing locally.
  • Approach your local Chamber of Commerce, Economic Development Office, or similar entity, and ask them what they’re doing to encourage small-scale manufacturing in your community. And if you’re up for it, ask how you can help.
  • And finally, scratch that entrepreneurial itch in your community by manufacturing locally.
  • Like us on Facebook Americanoutdoorgearhub.com and follow on Instagram @americanoutdoorgearhub

Feature image by David Mark from Pixabay