Manufacturers identified the availability of highly skilled workers as the most pressing need to assure continued business success, according to a report from the National Association of Manufacturers and the Manufacturing Institute. Having a high performance workforce surpassed new product innovations, low-cost producer status, increased customer service, export sales, outsourcing and supply chain integration as a factor for business success, according to the report. The report said there is a broadening gap between the availability of skilled workers and the requirements of modern manufacturers, and that the skill shortages are affecting manufacturers' ability to maintain production levels to meet customer demands. The U.S. Labor Department has projected that there will be 2.4 million jobs available for machinists, machine assemblers, operators and technicians between now and 2012.