Making things happen: manufacturers shape their futures through technology and collaboration.

• Position: MANUFACTURING ROUND TABLE

What is the state of manufacturing in North Carolina?

Ralls: Our history gives us great strengths. But there are elements of our history that we have to overcome. The manufacturing that many of us knew-- factories and mills where folks like my ancestors worked--has changed. It's all about advanced manufacturing. In previous years, North Carolinians went to college to get out of the mills or tobacco fields. Now, to work in advanced manufacturing, you have to go beyond high school. So a transition is happening in our state, our education structure and in our community colleges: We're making advanced manufacturing a top priority.

Mintz: It's interesting to see how plants are transitioning. Some of our traditional factories, such as textiles and furniture, have really started to depend on automation. We continue to see companies look toward innovation. I just saw an interesting article about a zipper manufacturer adding jobs because of new technology.

Robinson: I think the companies that have survived and done well are the ones that changed their businesses to align with advanced manufacturing. They've done it through product development and lean manufacturing, and I think they've also really developed a more global or bigger domestic footprint for their products. That's no different than companies, such as Caterpillar, that came to North Carolina already viewed as advanced manufacturers. We work very closely with community colleges to make sure that we have people who are ready to come into the factory. We find that as we more successfully partner with schools, we get a much better influx of people.

Newkirk: North Carolina is well-positioned in terms of our workforce. We've always been an education state and those things that Heather was talking about, in terms of educating that workforce in technical skills, that is so very important particularly to the large companies coming in, such as Volvo, Mack Trucks, Caterpillar and others. Also, private-equity companies are very interested in the South. When you meet people from Boston, New York, Chicago, where some very large private-equity companies are based, and tell them you're from North Carolina, they take notice. They look at the South as the economic engine for this century, and they can make a lot of money on manufacturing. They can get in and out in a number of years, or they can loan money and get a very good rate of return. And the demographics work because we have a lot of business owners that are in their 50s who might be looking for an exit strategy or maybe looking to expand.

How important is adapting to advanced manufacturing?

Ralls: Making advanced manufacturing a priority has to be more than words. This year, we are taking savings that we have created through efficiencies in developmental or remedial education and, with the support of Gov. Pat McCrory and the General Assembly, are shifting them into technician programs for advanced manufacturing...