Manufacturing in America: A Comprehensive Strategy to Address Challenges to U.S. Manufacturers

 

BACKGROUND

In March 2003, during National Manufacturing Week, Secretary Evans announced the President’s Manufacturing Initiative in a speech before the National Association of Manufacturers in Chicago. Secretary Evans ordered a comprehensive review of the issues influencing long-term competitiveness of U.S. manufacturing. The Manufacturing Initiative is a series of 57 recommendations taken from discussions with U.S. manufacturers during 23 public roundtables held by the Commerce Department between April and September 2003. The result is an 88-page report, Manufacturing in America, released on January 16, 2004.

The roundtables included small, medium, and large companies from a range of industries. These recommendations are organized into four main themes that address the concerns manufacturers expressed a more intent focus in government on manufacturing and competitiveness, the need for economic growth, both domestic and in international markets, addressing domestic cost issues and ensuring a level playing field by cracking down on unfair trade practices. Moreover, it was clear that it has been the steady accumulation of multiple burdens, rather than a single cause, that has had the most severe impact on the competitive environment in which our manufacturers operate.

Manufacturing in America includes more than 50 recommendations aimed at unleashing the full potential of American manufacturers. It is a first step towards strengthening American manufacturing and creating new jobs. These recommendations comprise a comprehensive strategy to ensure that government is fostering an environment that promotes a dynamic manufacturing industry.