Smarter rubber testing that contributes to rubber industry productivity gains

摘要

Labor productivity has been rising significantly in the American rubber industry in the last few decades. This is shown by the labor productivity statistics provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (ref. 1) shown in figure 1. This rate of increase in labor productivity has improved over what the rate of increase was in the 1970s (ref. 2). It is essential that the American rubber products manufacturers continue to make significant productivity gains. On the macro level, it is very important because it enables the USA to be competitive with other nations and increase its exports. However, on a micro level (at the company level), it is also essential in order to increase production with existing resources, improve return on investment, reduce per unit costs, and in the long term, save jobs. Most of the productivity gains have, and are being made in the rubber product manufacturing stages shown in figure 2.