As I visit plants across the U.S. and Europe, the common scenario I encounter is a plant manager or owner citing two major concerns linked to competitiveness.
 
First, they say that labor is scarce and increasingly expensive—particularly in places like New York, Washington, DC, and California that are mandating minimum wage hikes…on a phased-in track toward the “Fight for $15” activists’ goal of $15 per hour.
 
Second, competition—especially from national operators with vast economies of scale, buying power and marketing capabilities—is fierce and growing more so. And with a growing (but price-sensitive) economy, there’s ...