Despite broader economic hurdles, customised finishing process optimisations and coatings innovations , exemplified by Sherwin-Williams , are helping U.S. transportation manufacturers overcome productivity stagnation and sustain growth.
In recent years, the U.S. transportation equipment manufacturing sector has witnessed a puzzling decline in labour productivity, a trend that diverges sharply from the steady gains seen over the previous three decades. According to data ...
Continue Reading This Article
Enjoy this article as well as all of our content, including reports, news, tips and more.
By registering or signing into your SRM Today account, you agree to SRM Today's Terms of Use and consent to the processing of your personal information as described in our Privacy Policy.
from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, productivity in this sector, measured as output per hour, steadily increased until about 2015, after which it plateaued and then began to decline. This phenomenon has confounded researchers, as no definitive cause has yet been pinpointed.
The slowdown comes at a challenging time, with rising energy and material costs putting additional pressure on manufacturers to enhance efficiency. Among the numerous areas contributing to production bottlenecks, the finishing line in manufacturing processes stands out as a critical constraint. Though often perceived as a minor segment, finishing can substantially affect overall operational costs and profitability if not optimised.
Addressing the complexity of finishing processes requires more than simply introducing advanced products; it demands a comprehensive understanding of coatings technologies, application techniques, and workflow optimisation. This holistic approach includes painter training, maintenance protocols, standard operating procedures, efficiency audits, and inventory management, all tailored to the unique needs of the manufacturing environment.
Sherwin-Williams has illustrated the impact of such an approach through its work with leading manufacturers in the transportation sector. One notable case involved a truck body manufacturer that, after securing a major contract with a beverage company, faced a finishing line bottleneck restricting throughput to just one truck per shift. Their prior finishing process was complex and labour-intensive, involving multiple paint stages and frequent relocations of the truck bodies, resulting in a staggering 69 hours per unit to complete.
By recommending a switch to a base clear system using Genesis® base and clear coats, Sherwin-Williams helped reduce finishing time from 69 hours to just five hours per unit, eliminating several processing steps and reducing the need for truck body relocations. This innovation enabled production to scale from one truck per shift to four, simultaneously decreasing overtime and overall labour costs. The partnership expanded to include the full painting operation, utilising Duraspar™ Industrial Performance coatings, which further increased throughput by 50%, reduced paint usage, and improved quality with fewer defects. These operational improvements not only boosted profitability but also enhanced workforce satisfaction by making schedules more manageable.
In another example, a trailer manufacturer received tailored support to update a decade-old finishing line process. By switching to Duraspar™ IP high-speed epoxy primers and top coats, the company improved corrosion resistance and saved significant paint quantities and application time per trailer. Additionally, on-site inventory management helped eliminate excess stock, reducing waste and freeing capital. Continuous monthly audits and training ensured these gains were sustainable, enabling the company to scale productivity as demand grew.
Despite these successes at the operational level, broader economic indicators highlight ongoing challenges. Manufacturing productivity across the U.S. saw modest gains in 2015, with a 1.1% increase noted, but durable goods manufacturing experienced contractions in certain quarters, reflecting underlying sector-specific stresses. More recently, reports from 2025 indicate a 1.5% decline in worker productivity in the first quarter, marking the first such drop since 2022. Concurrently, unit labour costs have surged, exacerbated by geopolitical uncertainties such as increased tariffs, which have led industries including automotive manufacturing to withhold financial forecasts.
Adding to the complexity, research from the Federal Reserve points to a significant slowdown in investment in high-tech equipment, historically a driver of labour productivity growth since the 1970s. The reduced capital investment, notably in advanced machinery and automation, has contributed to the subdued productivity trends observed in recent years. Consequently, despite technological advancements and innovative coatings solutions, broader economic and structural factors continue to influence productivity dynamics.
The key takeaway for transportation manufacturers is the necessity of a multi-faceted strategy that integrates cutting-edge product solutions with ongoing, hands-on support tailored to their operational realities. This comprehensive approach can help break through productivity barriers by streamlining finishing processes, reducing wastes, and lowering labour intensity. As manufacturers face an uncertain economic landscape, fostering long-term partnerships that combine innovation with continuous improvement will be essential to driving sustainable gains in efficiency and profitability in the transportation equipment sector.
Source: Noah Wire Services
