What I have found about the manufacturing industry is that the majority of these jobs (around here) are contracted out. They last for 3 - 6 months and then they give you your walking papers.
I worked one of these jobs which lasted 5 months. Let me tell you this, I loved the job, but I was very unhappy with the contract terms. I’ve been offered several since and I will never take another contract job. They hire in volume and then let you go in volume! Very sad atmosphere!
238,000? Romney mentioned 23,000,000. Your story is good. About everything you buy is made somewhere else and these jobs don't need high skill mechanics to be contracted.