We need to ring in a manufacturing mandate with the New Year

In the final months of 2010, the economy appeared to be showing new life. Factories got busy, construction spending was on the upswing, and automobile sales were on the rise.

The Institute for Supply Management confirmed that its index of manufacturing activity was at 56.6 for November. While any reading above 50.0 indicates growth, it is worth noting that at the depths of the recession, the index was close to 30.0. So, after 16 straight months of growth in U.S. factory output, there is no better time than now to straighten out the backbone of the U.S. economy and support the Manufacturing Mandate proposed by AMT - The Association For Manufacturing Technology.

Prior to IMTS 2010, Douglas K. Woods, president of AMT – The Association For Manufacturing Technology, authored an article outlining AMT’s Manufacturing Mandate, which is a national manufacturing strategy to help rebuild and strengthen this country’s manufacturing sector.

The mandate calls for a federal policy of collaboration between government, industry, and academia. The policy would incentivize innovation and R&D in new products and manufacturing technologies; assure the availability of capital; increase global competitiveness; minimize structural cost burdens; enhance collaboration between government, academia, and industry; and build a better educated and trained “smart-force.”

In his article, Woods points out that a solid recovery has been slow to take hold, especially in the manufacturing sector where credit remains tight and uncertainty over the future has prevented companies from retooling, diversifying, and investing in R&D. So, in order to cement this recovery and create a strong foundation for sustained economic growth, a focused and coordinated national strategy – this manufacturing mandate – is a necessity.

While AMT – The Association For Manufacturing Technology is urging Congress and the Administration to implement this policy, AMT would certainly welcome the support of all manufacturers, large and small. If you believe, like Woods does, that it is possible for the government, industry, and our academic communities to work together – utilizing an infrastructure that is already in place to revitalize our manufacturing sector and promote real economic growth – I urge you to write to your representatives in Congress and tell them that you support AMT’s Manufacturing Mandate. Let your representatives know that AMT is poised to work with them to implement a national manufacturing strategy. And, since they represent you in Congress, you would expect their cooperation with AMT in making this mandate a reality.

I have known Douglas Woods for a number of years and I assure you that he understands that the manufacturing sector is the backbone of the U.S. economy. With your support, I am confident in saying that AMT – The Association For Manufacturing Technology, under Woods’ direction, will strengthen the U.S. manufacturing sector.  

On a final note, I would like to wish you a very happy, healthy, and prosperous New Year.  

tgrasson@gie.net