I got the pink writing yesterday, the doctor says there is nothing anyone can do about it, I just have to live with it... forever.
So I turned my brain on for a min to check if it still booted and to see if it had an idea, and it did. Hurray.
Allow people to select the ITEM. as in singular, is in one only (at a time at least) that they want to be able to produce in strat.
Once it is selected every x5 tick moves a counter, 30x5 gives you +1 then 60 for +2 90 for +3 120 for +4.
An alternative could be 1 x5 tick is = to 0.005% and you can just progress it along yon bar.
That means that it is completely independent of the gear you are carrying.
Also for every x5 on a different item you could loose 0.003% or with the other system you just go for a straight x5 for x5.
Anyway, just an idea.
Now going to permanently carry 3 construction materials until further notice, woo.
EDIT
----------------------------------
You could also tier the difficulty and make it harder to produce plated tanks and what not.