In the latest episode of Main Street Matters, host Elaine Parker sat down with Bret Boyd, Co-founder and CEO of Sustainment, to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing American manufacturing. Sustainment, a software and AI company, is on a mission to make it easier for businesses to find and work with US-based manufacturers, ultimately strengthening the domestic supply chain.
Boyd painted a stark picture of the current state of American manufacturing. Despite its $2.3 trillion contribution to GDP and 13 million-strong workforce, the industry has been in long-term decline. In recent years, the US has lost an average of 9,000 manufacturing jobs per month, a trend that has devastated both the industry and the communities that rely on it.
“It’s not only devastating to the industry and to our national capacity to build the things that we need, but it’s also devastating to all of the communities spread throughout the country that are really predicated on manufacturing, that rely on these manufacturing jobs.”
Boyd traced the roots of this decline to post-Cold War trade policies and the rise of China as a global manufacturing powerhouse. He highlighted the national security implications of overreliance on foreign suppliers, a vulnerability laid bare by the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on critical supply chains like pharmaceuticals.
In response, Sustainment is leveraging AI to connect buyers with the right US-based suppliers. By matching manufacturers based on capabilities, certifications, and location, their platform enables businesses to quickly find and onboard new partners. Boyd emphasized the importance of fostering deep relationships in manufacturing, describing the industry as a “team sport” involving multiple specialized businesses.
The American way is unlocking the power of our entrepreneurial small business owners to be amazing at what they are amazing at and facilitating them to work together to build what we need as a country. Like that’s the American way.
While the transition to more localized manufacturing presents challenges for both buyers and suppliers, Boyd sees the potential for a renaissance in American manufacturing over the next 20-30 years. He pointed to the role of tariffs, legislation, and federal procurement in leveling the playing field and driving business to small and medium-sized manufacturers.
Ultimately, Boyd believes that the success of these businesses will create a virtuous cycle, enabling them to invest in people and technology, offer higher wages, and attract a new generation of workers to the industry. By supporting the backbone of American manufacturing — the 99% of businesses with fewer than 500 employees — Sustainment hopes to play a key role in this revival.
For more information on Sustainment’s mission and platform, visit sustainment.com. Manufacturers can create a free account to showcase their capabilities, while procurement teams can access paid tools to streamline the sourcing process and build resilient, domestic supply chains.
