Laurie Harbour
Partner, Wipfli Advisory LLC
Laurie Harbour is a partner with more than 35 years of manufacturing and consulting experience. Prior to joining Wipfli, she was the co-owner of Harbour Results, Inc., and has spent her career helping clients develop strategies, improve operations, reduce risk and optimize business performance. Clients benefit from Laurie’s ability to work with leadership teams to assess the current state of their business and provide strategic and operation recommendations for improvement.
Professional memberships and activities
- American Mold Builders Association – former Board Member
- Manufacturers Association of Plastic Processors – former Board Member
- Precision MetalForming Association – Board Member
- North American Die Casting Association – Advisor
- Forging Industry Association — Advisor
- 2018 Plastics News Automotive Newsmaker of the Year
- Crain’s Detroit Business Notable Women in Manufacturing Recipients
- Women in Manufacturing Hall of Fame Inductee
- Plastics News — Women Breaking the Mold
Areas of Focus
- Benchmarking
- Digital and analytics
- Strategy and operations
Education
University of Michigan-Dearborn
- Bachelor of arts degree in operations management and human resources
Recent Insights
Articles
2026 manufacturing industry outlook: It’s going to be another tough year. Here’s what you can do.
Nov 24, 2025
Business leaders confront tariff uncertainty as costs mount
Jul 22, 2025
Tariffs are not a strategy: A call for action in U.S. manufacturing
May 12, 2025
Trump’s proposed auto tariffs’ impact on the supply chain and consumers
Mar 31, 2025
Understanding the new tariff landscape: Insights for manufacturers
Mar 26, 2025
Manufacturing’s 2025 renaissance starts with a strategic pause
Dec 18, 2024
Mastering manufacturing excellence: The role of benchmarking and best practices
Nov 07, 2024
Charting your course on the technology roadmap
Aug 01, 2024
A revenue roadmap: Mapping out your sales strategy
Jul 01, 2024
What is your inventory management process telling you?
Dec 05, 2023
Managing talent problems: Is HR or operations responsible?
May 05, 2023
Drive awareness and action to optimize your product launch process
May 05, 2023
The four dimensions of competitive positioning
Jan 31, 2022
State of the plastics industry
Jan 07, 2021
Podcasts
Episode 51: Manufacturing industry outlook
Dec 10, 2024
Videos And Webcasts
Policy pulse: Trade and tariff developments
Jul 16, 2025
Tariff strategies: Adapting in a changing landscape
Apr 07, 2025
In The News
External News
Laurie Harbour - Wipfli - 2025 Manufacturing Woman of the Year
Michigan Manufacturers Association | Dec 01, 2025
U.S. Tool & Die Update: Some Good News, But Not Much - Autoline Exclusives
Autoline | Nov 22, 2025
Tariffs, Labor, AI and the Trends Shaping U.S. Industry with Wipfli
Advanced Manufacturing | Nov 18, 2025
The State of Plastics Manufacturing: Challenges, Shifts and Opportunities Ahead
Plastics Decorating | Nov 12, 2025
Automotive tooling spend forecast to rebound in 2026, long-term growth remains limited
PR Newswire | Nov 10, 2025
