Manufacturing Could Return, Despite Recession 'Hangover'

LIMERICK PA - One regional economist believes manufacturing jobs are poised to return to the U.S. because global financial events have made it too expensive for competing nations to export goods, local business owners and leaders learned Thursday (Jan. 5, 2012) during an economic forecast breakfast in Limerick PA.

Brian Hess, senior research analyst at Brandywine Global Investment Management, told guests at the TriCounty Area Chamber of Commerce forum that rising wage costs in China combined with rising oil costs worldwide had narrowed the gap between it, other countries and the U.S. in the race to sell consumer goods like appliances. The possibility for profit could spur manufacturing growth here, he said.

Hess and Derek Menaldino, chief investment officer of Main Line Financial Advisors in Pottstown PA, were the featured panelists during the hour-long discussion of the coming year in business and finance, held at the Copperfield Inn at Lakeside.

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