NORAMARK Forums

My name is Michael
I have always liked machines and trucks. This probably started my fascination with manufacturing.
Over the years I have seen a lot of old American businesses close due to work being sent overseas.
We need to stop the bleeding.
The first step is to get American manufacturers connected with each other so we can all learn and support each other.
This is why NORAMARK exists.

I have been getting requests for connections to:
domestic nitrile glove makers
trustworthy machine shops that don't outsource overseas
American made scrubs and hospital supplies in general
there is also a lot of talk our exposure to raw materials that make up batteries and magnets

All of the talk about tariffs is getting crazy.
It's being weaponized and twisted by pessimists and influencers who are fueled by outrage.

The other flashy promise that I see a lot of skepticism around is full-on automation.
So many manufacturers are working on high mix production lines.
For the right factories it has been amazing, but it will be a long time before humans are put out of jobs.

@Robert_Beecher The best place to start is to invite us manufacturers and supporters to noramark so they can be connected in the community.
We need to get everyone connected and expand the connective tissue that has been eroded for so many years.
We will all have to work together.

@Robert_Beecher welcome to the forum!
I love the mission.
It would be great to collect the contact info for shops looking for an exit.
I know a lot of people who are interested and actively making acquisitions.

I'm going to https://www.pmts.com/ in Cleveland in a couple weeks.
Anyone else planning to be there?
I can only be there for a couple hours on weds morning.

A network of trusted partners is the most valuable asset any business holds. For American manufacturers, these connections define success at every stage of the business lifecycle. There are three critical moments when a strong network is essential: at birth, during growth, and at exit. While these networks often overlap, each serves a unique function and can be difficult to establish and maintain.

The Birth of a Business: The Need for Trust
Every new manufacturing business faces the same core challenge: acquiring its first customers. Without an established track record or a network of reliable partners, breaking into the market is daunting. Trust is everything — who can you count on for fair deals, timely payments, and quality standards?

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 20% of new businesses fail within the first year, and 50% fail within five years. One of the biggest factors contributing to this failure rate is a lack of trusted relationships in supply chains, financing, and distribution. Without a robust network, new businesses struggle to gain credibility and secure the partnerships necessary to survive.

Growth: Building a Scalable Network Before You Need It
As businesses expand, they require more than just customers. They need suppliers, subcontractors, logistics providers, and service partners to offload non-core activities and maintain quality. Unfortunately, many manufacturers wait until they land a major contract to build these relationships — often realizing too late that they don’t have the necessary infrastructure to fulfill demand.

A study by Deloitte found that 79% of companies with high-performing supply chains achieve revenue growth greater than the industry average, compared to only 8% of those with less optimized networks. Manufacturers that proactively cultivate a network of reliable material suppliers, service providers, and distribution channels are better positioned to seize growth opportunities when they arise.

Exit: Ensuring Business Continuity Instead of Liquidation
For many business owners, an exit strategy is an afterthought. When the time comes to retire or move on, all too often, the only option is to close up shop and auction off equipment. The result? Decades of expertise, reputation, and market positioning disappear overnight.

But what if manufacturers had pre-existing relationships with up-and-coming businesses or larger firms looking to expand? A proactive network enables business continuity by facilitating sales, mergers, or acquisitions instead of dissolution. According to IBISWorld, over 34,000 U.S. manufacturing businesses shut down annually, often because owners lack a succession plan or a buyer network. Strengthening connections with potential successors could turn these closures into opportunities for growth within the industry.

Noramark: Strengthening American Manufacturing Through Trusted Connections
Despite the clear importance of a robust network, too many manufacturers leave their relationship-building to chance. Noramark is changing that by creating an invite-only, high-trust network designed for manufacturers at every stage of their business journey.

We provide tools to streamline network development, vet partners, and ensure businesses have the right connections when they need them. By fostering trusted relationships early and maintaining them through growth and transition, we empower American manufacturers to remain competitive, resilient, and positioned for long-term success.

The future of American industry depends on strong networks. Let’s build them together.

Hi Carlton, it was great to meet you!
We want to keep the American manufacturers open and growing and get the next generation involved.

It's sad that we have been buying from overseas for so long that we don't even know how to define made in the usa anymore. I definitely see this turning around but it will take time.

Let's go!

It's a mix of both.
We see a lot of operators who are scaling up by purchasing existing businesses as a means of expansion.
They are typically mission driven and want to slow the bleeding.
Every time a shop closes in the US we lose an entire generation of knowledge.