Results of a new study released on October 5, People & Profitability - A Time For Change, commissioned jointly by Deloitte, The Manufacturing Institute and Oracle, indicate an ongoing need for manufacturers to embrace new and progressive talent strategies in order to maintain profitability and stay competitive in the future. The report serves as a supplement to the 2005 Skills Gap Report issued jointly by Deloitte, the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) and The Manufacturing Institute.

The study, conducted in May 2009, analyzes the future importance and current performance of people management practices relative to a manufacturer's business success. It also reveals the challenges manufacturers are facing with talent shortages and offers strategies to address them.