The Hidden Reasons Manufacturing Jobs Have Disappeared—and What We Can Do About It
So here’s the thing: we often hear about how manufacturing jobs have dwindled across the United States, but the reasons behind it aren’t as simple as they seem. I recently watched a video by More Perfect Union that really got me thinking about why this is happening and how companies play a big role in this shift.
For decades, towns like Fennimore and Portage, Wisconsin, relied on battery manufacturing plants to keep the community strong. The local plants provided hundreds of well-paying, stable jobs that supported families and built the town’s economy. But seemingly overnight, everything changed. Energizer announced it would be shutting down its plants in these towns and moving production overseas and to a nonunion factory in North Carolina. That left hundreds of people wondering what to do next.
This story isn’t isolated. It’s part of a larger trend that has seen about 35% of America’s manufacturing jobs disappear over the past 40 years. So, what happened? Let’s dig a little deeper into the hidden reasons behind the loss of manufacturing jobs—and how we might shift things in 2025.
1. The Power of Mergers and Monopolies
Corporate takeovers aren’t new, but they’ve become a lot more prevalent, especially in industries like manufacturing. For example, Energizer took over Spectrum’s battery brand, Rayovac, a few years back. Overnight, Energizer controlled about 40% of the U.S. consumer battery market. When you combine that with Duracell’s share, you’ve got a situation where two companies dominate 80% of the market—a “duopoly.”
When only a few players control an industry, it’s easier for them to coordinate price hikes or cut corners on labor costs. With Energizer, that meant layoffs and moving production to places where they could pay workers less. A lot of people who had worked for decades at the Wisconsin plants were left with nothing but a meeting where they were told their jobs would disappear in 18-24 months. And that’s that.
2. Union Busting Tactics and Manufacturing Jobs
Union jobs have traditionally been a ticket to decent wages and solid benefits. But companies know that unions can also be costly to them. That’s why Energizer didn’t just shut down these Wisconsin plants—they’re moving production to nonunion plants in North Carolina. Nonunion workers are usually paid less, and they have fewer protections. From a corporate perspective, it’s a win. For workers, not so much.
Now, I know some of you might be thinking, “That’s just the cost of business.” But we’re seeing a pattern here: companies buy up competitors, consolidate control, and shift production to places where they can pay less and avoid union influence. It’s not just happening in batteries—it’s all over manufacturing.
3. The Role of Politicians and Regulations
The frustrating thing is that politicians often promise to protect American jobs, yet they end up allowing these mergers without any restrictions. In the case of Energizer, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) approved the merger with no conditions, despite the obvious risks to union jobs and labor costs. Under the previous administration, the FTC’s leadership was resistant to regulation, giving companies a free pass to consolidate and eliminate jobs.
The current FTC under President Biden, however, is starting to crack down on these practices. New guidelines are being drafted that would consider the impact of mergers on workers—not just on profits. This shift could signal a significant change for American workers in the next few years, though the effects will take time to be felt.
4. Globalization and the Manufacturing Jobs Shift Overseas
Another trend impacting manufacturing jobs is the push for globalization. Companies are always looking for ways to cut costs, and one of the easiest ways is to outsource production to countries with cheaper labor. In Energizer’s case, they’re moving some of their production overseas to Singapore and the U.K. It’s a familiar story across industries: jobs that used to provide a decent living here in the U.S. are moving abroad.
This isn’t just about Energizer. It’s part of a broader shift where companies are prioritizing profit margins over their American workforce. This trend has been ongoing, and while some politicians have spoken out against it, change has been slow.
5. A Glimmer of Hope for the Future
Despite these challenges, there’s hope. The new FTC guidelines that account for workers’ interests are a big step forward. Additionally, there’s a growing movement among consumers and advocacy groups to support companies that prioritize American workers. And with more focus on bringing manufacturing back to the U.S., we could see more investment in local jobs and less dependence on overseas factories.
For workers facing layoffs, it’s a challenging time. But there are things that can be done on both a personal and community level. For example, reaching out to local representatives and advocating for policies that protect American manufacturing jobs is one way to make a difference. Community support and retraining programs can also provide a lifeline for workers transitioning to new roles.
If there’s anything to take away from this story, it’s that we can’t afford to ignore the trends in manufacturing. By staying informed, advocating for smarter policies, and supporting companies that invest in American jobs, we can work toward a future where manufacturing has a strong place in our economy once again.