In a world that's perpetually chasing the next new AI transformation, blockchain technology, and venture-backed unicorns, there's a silent but consistent industry that that has been thriving in the shadows: the so-called "boring" business sector that has been building the country's economy and providing essential services to various sectors across the country. Factories, trucks, metal shipments, or waste management - such businesses may not make headlines, but they form the literal backbone of the U.S economy. One such business in the industry is A&S Manufacturing, which has consistently offered the best-in-class all-in-one one-stop-shop manufacturing for nearly 35 years in the United States.
As a paragon of specializing in unglamorous but indispensable work, Steven Churchill, the founder of A&S Manufacturing (ASM), has built a company that has not only stood the test of time but continues to grow with the ever-evolving technology and business trends. As a one-stop metal fabrication solution, ASM provides proficient CNC milling, metal stamping, tooling, assembly, and finishing, ensuring timely delivery of high-quality, cost-effective parts.
"We're a complete one-stop shop," Churchill states. "Unlike standard workflow, where companies outsource to a tool and die shop, have it shipped to a stamper, and manage tool returns, we design, machine, stamp, and assemble all components in-house, and deliver the finished product directly to the consumer. We're providing consumers with an end-to-end solution."
Various sectors such as metal stamping, CNC machining, and tool & die work may seem less flashy than AI breakthroughs, but it's these industries that are essential in streamlining how a country fundamentally functions. According to the American Truckers Association, trucks transport nearly 72% of the country's raw materials and manufactured goods, reinforcing the importance of such silent roles that cater to a significant portion of the country's economy.
"The foundation of America was built on industries like these," Churchill states. "Without this backbone of domestic transport and supply chain logistics, grocery shelves would go empty, construction sites would halt, and production lines would stall. It's important to realize that the US simply can't run without them."
Churchill has built a business that is interwoven with the grit of backbone industries with one strong belief: America must preserve its industrial manufacturing sectors and keep them thriving amidst a rising offshore culture.
Today, as globalization and offshoring continue to encroach upon every global industry, many such backbone systems are being quietly eclipsed. The US has been increasingly relying on outsourcing as the default answer to access cost-effective labor and material costs. In the 1990s, the driving factor in industrial decisions was price, which led to a mass offshoring to Asia. Yet, companies were quickly revealed to the fact that what looks good on paper can become a liability in practice.
"Price determined everything," Churchill shares. "So, all the raw materials went to Asia, but when you get a batch of defective parts from overseas, it can take 30 days on a boat just to get a replacement. That kind of delay is more than an inconvenience; it's detrimental to business growth."
In the face of long durations, quality risks, and limited control, companies have had to shift from cost-effective materials to price on time delivery, quality, consistency, and control as the new criteria for smart manufacturing decisions, which are the cornerstones of A&S Manufacturing. As geopolitical instability and supply chain disruptions continue to arise, Churchill emphasizes the importance of sustaining from within. "America needs to reestablish its leadership in industrial manufacturing, that's what keeps the economy running - and businesses like ours can hold the country together by ensuring economic stability and independence," he explains.
Technological evolution has been at the forefront of every industry, and such foundational industries are no exception. Churchill urges businesses to adopt technology to adapt and evolve with the times, not just for survival, but for efficiency. In sectors like manufacturing and logistics, falling behind on equipment, automation, or software integration can mean losing out on contracts and incurring high costs. "The key to a successful business is to invest," Churchill states. "If you don't adopt the most advanced equipment, you'll fall behind and eventually get phased out."
A&S Manufacturing embodies industrial evolution by adopting cutting-edge, high-precision technology along with decades of hands-on expertise and industrial grit. The company continues to equip state-of-the-art machinery to level up their work in the market. "We've spent over $1 million in capital in the last 3 years purchasing machinery from Switzerland," Churchill reveals. "It's important for us to get our hands on supreme products to ensure the highest quality in service. That's the new baseline for a successful workflow in such a rapidly evolving global economy."
Supporting American-made industrial businesses isn't just a matter of patriotism; it's strategic. Reshoring and insourcing are imperatives to solidify the country's economic growth, and the silent, unflashy businesses are the key to making it happen. The future of the country doesn't belong to digital innovations, but to those who can build, move, and deliver. The so-called "boring" businesses like A&S Manufacturing may not have the buzzwords, but they offer the solid ground to do the work, day in and day out, that keeps America moving.
