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U.S. Commerce Department Celebrates American Manufacturing

Submitted on October 3, 2014 - 4:10pm
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, October 3, 2014
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Office of Public Affairs, 202-482-4883

On Manufacturing Day, Secretary Pritzker and Senior Department Officials Participate in Events at Manufacturing Facilities Nationwide 

In honor of National Manufacturing Day, senior U.S. Commerce Department officials joined President Obama, several Cabinet secretaries and other government leaders today in events celebrating American manufacturers.

Throughout the day, more than 1,600 manufacturers nationwide opened their doors to teachers, parents, and students to demonstrate the potential of 21st century manufacturing, tout the transformation of manufacturing into an industry of innovation, and foster interest in the rewarding careers available in this growing sector. The Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP), part of the Commerce Department’s National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), along with private sector partners, organized the day to help raise awareness about manufacturing’s contributions to the U.S. economy.

“American manufacturing is experiencing a renaissance – and our workers, our families, our businesses, and our economy are reaping the rewards,” said U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker. “Manufacturing Day is an opportunity to show our communities the true face of manufacturing in the 21st century. This day is an opportunity to get more young people excited about a career in manufacturing, to inspire the next generation of inventors and innovators, and to celebrate manufacturing as the backbone of American prosperity.”

The resurgence of the manufacturing sector in recent years has produced tangible results for the American people. For the first time in over a decade, both manufacturing output and employment are growing. Since February 2010, the manufacturing sector has created more than 700,000 new jobs – the first sustained growth in more than 20 years. Today’s data from the Labor Department show that 4,000 manufacturing jobs were added in August 2014 and exports of manufactured goods are also up 1.5 percent over the same period of 2013. All told, upwards of 17 million Americans go to work each day in a well-paying job in manufacturing and its supply chains.

The growth of manufacturing is proving a boon to the pocketbooks of local workers and the expansion of the national economy. Manufacturers pay higher average salaries than other industries. Manufacturing is growing at twice the rate of gross domestic product (GDP) as a whole. And for every dollar invested in manufacturing, the sector generates $1.32 for the economy.

Manufacturing is a key component of the Commerce Department’s “Open for Business Agenda” and the agency’s focus on strengthening American innovation. The Department has worked to connect manufacturers with the resources they need to grow and thrive, ensure workers have the skills to get today’s high-tech manufacturing jobs, and develop a network of institutes designed to enhance the global competitiveness of America’s manufacturing sector.

To mark Manufacturing Day and highlight the Department’s efforts, Secretary Pritzker traveled with President Obama to Millennium Steel in Princeton, Indiana – the largest minority-owned enterprise in southwestern Indiana – to tour the facility and participate in a town hall meeting.

In addition, top Commerce Department officials took part in events with manufacturers of all sizes across the country:

  • Deputy Secretary Bruce Andrews visited Northrop Grumman Corporation’s BWI campus in Linthicum, Maryland, where he met with employees and talked to local middle, high school and community college students about careers available in manufacturing. Northrop Grumman is Maryland’s largest manufacturing employer.
  • Acting NIST Director Dr. Willie May, along with U.S. Senator Chris Coons, visited several manufacturing facilities in Delaware, including Air Liquide, Pittsburgh Plate Glass (PPG) and Hirsh Industries, LLC. They also met with leaders from the Delaware Manufacturing Association, Delaware Economic Development, and Polytech’s adult education program.
  • Under Secretary of Economic Affairs Mark Doms toured Zentech Manufacturing in Baltimore, Maryland. Zentech specializes in high speed, precision assembly of Printed Circuit Boards (PCB), and many companies have begun sourcing their PCBs from Zentech because they can oversee quality control and take advantage of the short lead times associated with domestic shipping.
  • Assistant Secretary of Economic Development Jay Williams visited Wichita State University (WSU) in Wichita, Kansas, and made a manufacturing grant announcement. WSU is a key member of the South Kansas Manufacturing Community consortium, which Secretary Pritzker recently announced as one of the 12 Investing in Manufacturing Community Partnership designated communities.
  • Chief Economist Dr. Sue Helper and Acting MEP Director Phil Singerman visited the Rodon Group in Hatfield, Pennsylvania. The Rodon Group is a plastic injection molding company that makes billions of parts each year.
  • Deputy Assistant Secretary for Manufacturing Chandra Brown toured numerous manufacturing facilities in Tampa, Florida, including Southern Manufacturing Technologies, a Commerce Department Manufacturing Council member, and Lockheed Martin. She will also talk with students about opportunities in the field.

To view President Obama’s proclamation on National Manufacturing Day, visit  http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2014/10/02/presidential-proclamation-national-manufacturing-day-2014.

To learn more about Manufacturing Day, visit www.mfgday.com.

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