The global machine shop

Have you noticed job candidates and the people you’re dealing with across the business world are increasingly from other countries?

While our location near Houston has always been quite diverse, including sizable Hispanic and Asian populations, it is continuing to evolve, with people emigrating from countries not as historically represented. These include Pakistan, India, Australia, the Philippines, Scotland and Trinidad.

While there are many reasons for this, nearly all U.S. communities, from small towns to large cities, are seeing more diversity. Machine shops and other manufacturing businesses are being impacted, requiring unique management of this rapidly evolving demographic. This not only includes managing a diverse group of employees, but also working with customers and vendors that have more representatives from other countries.

Even tight-knit shops historically comprised of locals, friends and family members are rapidly changing as immigrants from numerous countries seek opportunity, many times replacing older workers.

The good news is most immigrants are eager to live and work in the U.S. and have a positive attitude just because they’re here. However, language and cultural barriers can prove challenging, and recent immigrants may not be as familiar with standard protocol, such as negotiations over a proposed job.

This sometimes requires additional explanations and even educating them about the products they’re buying from our shop. Patience may be needed when explaining why we have a minimum order value, why we require more details to provide good quotations or why a request may be impossible to accommodate. However, most are appreciative of our efforts to work with them.