About the NAM
The National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) works for the success of the more than 13 million people who make things in America.
National Association of Manufacturers
The Four Pillars
Our work is centered around four values that make our industry strong and America exceptional. These pillars guide what we do every day for the more than 13 million people who make things in America. Explore each pillar through artifacts from the NAM’s story.
Championing open markets and the freedom to build, compete and prosper—the engine that powers American manufacturing.
The Arsenal of Democracy
The USS Indiana under construction—a testament to the industrial strength that earned manufacturers in the United States the title “Arsenal of Democracy.”
Women Power the War Effort
As millions of Americans mobilized for the war effort, women took on critical manufacturing roles that helped power the Arsenal of Democracy.
Craftsmanship Behind the Victory
Behind every aircraft, ship and vehicle were skilled workers whose craftsmanship helped power the Allied victory.
“Defense in the Field Begins in the Factory”
By linking factory production to success on the battlefield, this poster highlighted the essential role manufacturers played in supporting Allied forces.
“Defense of Our Liberty Begins in the Factory”
This wartime poster underscored a powerful idea: the strength of America’s factories was inseparable from the defense of its freedoms.
“Defend American Freedom”
Produced during World War II, this poster reflected the belief that defending freedom required the contributions of workers, manufacturers and citizens alike.
N.A.M. Handbook on War Production
As manufacturers converted their operations to meet wartime demands, the NAM provided guidance, resources and practical tools to help coordinate the nation’s production effort.
Declaration of Principles
“Here, the people have faith in constitutional representative democracy, in free enterprise and in civil and religious liberty as inseparable fundamentals of freedom to be cherished and preserved.” — NAM Declaration of Principles Relating to the Conduct of American Industry, 1939
President McKinley
For more than a century, U.S. presidents have turned to the NAM to discuss the future of the American economy. President McKinley’s 1898 engagement stands among the earliest examples.
JFK at the Congress of American Industry
In 1961, President John F. Kennedy addressed the NAM’s Congress of American Industry, underscoring the vital role of free enterprise, innovation and economic growth in advancing American leadership.
Then-Governor Clinton
Then-Gov. Bill Clinton addressed the NAM in 1992, presenting his vision for economic growth and competitiveness months before being elected President of the United States.
President George W. Bush
At the NAM in 2006, President Bush called manufacturers “one of the most important parts of our economic vitality” and the driving force behind American prosperity.
President Obama
In 2011, President Obama joined the NAM and The Manufacturing Institute to advance partnerships connecting employers, community colleges and future manufacturing talent.
Then-Vice President Biden
Before becoming the 46th President of the United States, Joe Biden addressed the NAM’s 2014 Manufacturing Summit, joining a long line of national leaders who have looked to manufacturers when shaping their vision for America’s economic future.
“Industry on Parade” TV Series
Produced by the NAM from 1950 to 1960, Industry on Parade became one of the most widely viewed television programs about American industry in history, bringing stories of manufacturing innovation, ingenuity and enterprise into living rooms across the country.
Reagan on “It’s YOUR Business!”
Airing during the golden age of radio, “It’s YOUR Business!” showcased business leaders, public figures and emerging voices discussing the issues shaping America’s economic future.
Telling the Story of Free Enterprise
Through radio broadcasts and multimedia outreach, the NAM’s national campaign highlighted how private industry fuels innovation, job creation and rising living standards—helping shape public understanding of the system at the heart of U.S. economic strength.
Keeping America the best place to make things—through smart policy, innovation and a relentless edge over the rest of the world.
A Voice for Manufacturing in Washington
Long before manufacturing had a dedicated voice in Washington, the NAM championed the creation of a federal department focused on commerce and industry. This 1896 circular reflects the association’s early efforts to shape the institutions that support American enterprise.
Edison Workplace Safety Films
Produced in partnership with Thomas Edison Studios in 1912, these films used the emerging medium of motion pictures to promote workplace safety—the NAM’s early efforts to help manufacturers protect workers on the factory floor.
Trade Expansion Mission to Europe
As markets became increasingly interconnected, the NAM helped manufacturers explore new opportunities beyond U.S. borders. This 1964 trade mission to Europe reflects a long-standing commitment to expanding market access for American industry.
Regaining America’s Industrial Initiative
Published in 1983, Regaining America’s Industrial Initiative captured the industry’s vision for restoring competitiveness and driving a new era of growth.
President Reagan Addresses the NAM
“We’ve been blessed with a vast and beautiful land and with an energetic and enterprising people. Yet it’s up to us to keep our nation prosperous, strong, and free.” — President Ronald Reagan, Address to the National Association of Manufacturers, May 24, 1985
A Growth Agenda
Published in 2013, A Growth Agenda outlined four goals for a manufacturing resurgence in America—investment, innovation, global engagement and workforce development.
Creators Respond
More than a century after producing some of the nation’s earliest workplace safety films, the NAM again mobilized manufacturers around worker safety. The Creators Respond campaign helped companies protect their people and navigate the COVID-19 pandemic.
The IRI Joins the NAM
With the addition of the Innovation Research Interchange, NAM members gained access to world-class R&D thought leadership and proven innovation strategies—the widest array of expertise and services in the history of the association.
The MLC Joins the NAM
The Manufacturing Leadership Council is a leader in providing best practices, data and insights to manufacturing companies of all sizes on digital transformation—the next wave of technological breakthroughs driving innovation in the industry.
Defending the personal freedoms that let workers, innovators and entrepreneurs pursue their own vision of success.
Get Out to Vote
Through examples of elections decided by narrow margins, this voter education piece reinforced the idea that liberty carries both rights and responsibilities—including participation in the democratic process.
“Knock on Every Door”
Produced in 1955, Knock on Every Door used storytelling and film to encourage Americans to become active participants in civic life—reflecting the NAM’s belief that democracy depends on informed, engaged citizens.
“Citizen at Work”
Created to educate audiences about the mechanics of American democracy, this 1959 slideshow emphasized that individual liberty depends on educated citizens who understand and participate in self-government.
“The Most Important Campaign in the World”
Published in 1964, this NAM brochure offered practical guidance for citizens seeking to organize campaigns and lead community efforts—encouraging Americans to take an active role in shaping their communities and country.
Primer for Patriotism
Published by the NAM in 1972, Primer for Patriotism encouraged Americans to put their patriotism into action through participation in the democratic process.
Get-Out-the-Vote Poster
Continuing a longstanding commitment to civic engagement, the NAM used creative public-awareness campaigns like this 1988 poster to encourage Americans to make their voices heard at the ballot box.
Opening doors so every American has a fair shot to build a career and a future in modern manufacturing.
An Early Stand Against Discrimination
“There should be no arbitrary discrimination in employment, retention, promotion or dismissal because of age, race, sex or membership or non-membership in a labor organization.” — NAM Subcommittee on Labor Supply and Training, August 5, 1942
The Americade Exposition
Beginning in 1955, the NAM’s traveling Americade exposition brought the story of manufacturing and free enterprise directly to communities across America, helping more than 100,000 visitors envision the opportunities that would shape the nation’s future.
A Traveling World’s Fair of Innovation
Designed as a traveling “world’s fair” of innovation, Americade showcased the scientific and technological advances that were reshaping American life and industry.
“The Bridge”
Decades before today’s workforce initiatives, the NAM’s 1966 film The Bridge promoted partnerships between schools and employers to help more young Americans access opportunity through work, training and career development.
FAME USA
Founded by Toyota and managed by The Manufacturing Institute, FAME USA creates pathways to rewarding manufacturing careers through its proven global-best workforce development model.
Heroes MAKE America
Through Heroes MAKE America, The Manufacturing Institute helps veterans and military families translate their skills, leadership and experience into successful manufacturing careers.
MFG Day
MFG Day, an initiative of The Manufacturing Institute, introduces students and communities to modern manufacturing, helping inspire the next generation of innovators, creators and problem-solvers.
The Creators Wanted Tour
Part of the manufacturing industry’s largest perception campaign, the Creators Wanted Tour traveled more than 25,000 miles and engaged millions of students, parents and educators to inspire a new generation of manufacturing talent.
Seeing Yourself in Manufacturing
By bringing cutting-edge manufacturing experiences directly to communities, Creators Wanted helped more young people see themselves in the industry and the opportunities it creates.
STEP Ahead
The Manufacturing Institute’s STEP Ahead initiative recognizes outstanding leaders in manufacturing, showcasing role models whose leadership helps strengthen the workforce and expand opportunity across the industry.
These pillars guide what we do every day, whether it’s standing up for manufacturers in Washington, DC, inspiring the next generation of manufacturing talent, providing news and intelligence about the industry or helping members innovate and advance.
Representing member companies—from small businesses to global leaders—in every industrial sector, we are the nation’s most effective resource and most influential advocate for these values and for manufacturers across the country.
Today, we are a one-stop shop for manufacturers and manufacturing.
NAM History
Manufacturing is America’s economic engine—and for more than a century, the National Association of Manufacturers has stood as the most effective resource and most influential advocate for manufacturers in the United States.
Founded in Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1895, some of the NAM’s earliest efforts were to call for the creation of the U.S. Department of Commerce and to help launch the National Council of Commerce, which later became the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
During World War II, the NAM assisted companies with wartime problems like priorities and allocations and helped manufacturers prepare for postwar issues like recycling surplus materials and training veterans for careers in manufacturing.
As television made its way into homes across America, the NAM created a 15-minute television program, “Industry on Parade,” which first aired in 1950. By 1952, the Peabody Award–winning show was being telecast in nearly every television market in the United States.
In the early 1970s, the NAM took advantage of new technology to hold four closed-circuit television conferences reaching as many as 8,000 business executives in 26 cities at one time. The NAM also established its headquarters in Washington, D.C., in order to increase the association’s impact on policy development.
As the 1980s began, the NAM unveiled its six-point “Revitalization Agenda,” which became a major part of President Ronald Reagan’s economic program.
During the 1990s, the NAM established The Manufacturing Institute—the workforce and education partner of the NAM. Today, The Manufacturing Institute drives programs and research to promote modern manufacturing and jumpstart new approaches to growing manufacturing talent.
In just the last few years, guided by the association’s 2020 Vision, the NAM has been a national force in driving solutions and helping to reimagine a landscape for manufacturing that maximizes the talent of our workers and the strength of our industry. We have built a nimble and far-reaching organization that delivers on the promise of manufacturing in America and promotes opportunities for millions of hardworking Americans. And through the extraordinary efforts of men and women across the United States, we have worked to usher in the most productive era for manufacturers in recent history.
For a deeper dive on the NAM’s powerful history, click here.
Today, the NAM is still innovating and disrupting an ever-changing national landscape in order to build our industry, create progress and advance the values that make our nation exceptional: free enterprise, competitiveness, individual liberty and equal opportunity. We are the one-stop shop for manufacturers and manufacturing, delivering unmatched expertise in advocacy, workforce development, legal action and operational excellence. We’re raising the bar for representation, insights and analysis and service that is an extension of manufacturing teams–to provide unbeatable value for our members and their employees.
All the while, the NAM is shining the spotlight on manufacturing’s success and the ways manufacturers are keeping our promise to invest in our people and communities. Across America, manufacturers are providing the solutions to the world’s most pressing challenges, and the NAM is proud to share that story.
