What is the Manufacturing Initiative?

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 63 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.

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:

1. A more intent focus in government on manufacturing and competitiveness,
2. the need for economic growth, both domestic and in international markets,
3. "Keeping our side of the street clean” by addressing domestic cost issues, and
4. ensuring a level playing field by cracking down on unfair trade practices.

These recommendations comprise a comprehensive strategy to ensure that government is fostering an environment that promotes a dynamic manufacturing industry.

Manufacturing in America includes a series of 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. What we heard from manufacturers in terms of the challenges they face was significant. By far, manufacturers’ comments focused on domestic issues. 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.

The Manufacturing Initiative sets out a plan to accomplish this by reducing the cost and complexity of the tax code, making tax relief permanent, and lowering health care, regulatory, energy and legal costs. It establishes an Office of Industry Analysis to assess the cost competitiveness of U.S. industry and the impact of proposed rules and regulations on U.S. manufacturers, and creates a new Assistant Secretary of Manufacturing to ensure a permanent advocate for the men and women in America’s factories. And, to promote the sale of American products in global markets, this initiative will implement a global supply chain initiative, promote global use of U.S. technical standards, modernize export control laws, and consolidate export promotion functions.

For more information regarding the U.S. Department activities in this Manufacturing Initiative, please visit: www.manufacturing.gov

National Association of Manufacturers & U.S. Commercial Service

The National Association of Manufacturers and U.S. Commercial Service have teamed up to offer NAM members the Export Europe Initiative to help U.S. manufacturers succeed in Europe: www.nam.org/exporting

Need Manufacturing help? Visit the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Manufacturing Extension Program (MEP) website at: www.mep.nist.gov