Manufacturing Industry In-plants Close To The Core

But it's more than just like-mindedness that sets these shops apart. It's integration. These managers work hard to maintain their mutually beneficial relationships.

Debbie Pavletich, Graphic Services manager for Milwaukee's Briggs and Stratton finds herself in this favorable position.

"To become integrated into [the company's] processes, you can offer solutions to lower costs," she says. "You may not make as much money, but they know that you're in their best interests."