Labor and Employment

Washington, D.C. – Yesterday, the National Association of Manufacturers, American Chemistry Council and CropLife America, along with representatives from 16 manufacturing companies and other business and agriculture groups, joined together to meet with 17 congressional offices, including 15 lawmakers and staff on the House Ways and Means Committee, urging immediate action to renew the Miscellaneous Tariff Bill.

“Manufacturers in the U.S. cannot afford this direct economic hit and need action to be taken as soon as possible. Passing MTB legislation will increase competitiveness, spur growth and support the success of manufacturers, farmers, businesses, workers, consumers and communities throughout the U.S., said the NAM.

“The American Chemistry Council and our members support the renewal of the Miscellaneous Tariff Bill. The MTB would support advanced manufacturing in the United States and domestic chemical production used to make products in key agriculture and food production and industrial sectors, including information technology, renewable energy and automotive goods.”

“The passage of a Miscellaneous Tariff Bill that is fully retroactive would help maintain farmers’ access to the essential pesticide products they need to grow food for the U.S. and the world. A renewed MTB would mean lower input prices resulting in decreased price pressures for U.S. farmers, ranchers and consumers,” said CropLife America.

The previous MTB expired in December 2020, and since then, manufacturers and other businesses continue to pay $1.3 million per day in tariffs—that amounts to $1.5 billion over three years that should and can be invested in job creation and innovation.

-NAM-

The National Association of Manufacturers is the largest manufacturing association in the United States, representing small and large manufacturers in every industrial sector and in all 50 states. Manufacturing employs nearly 13 million men and women, contributes $2.85 trillion to the U.S. economy annually and accounts for 53% of private-sector research and development. The NAM is the powerful voice of the manufacturing community and the leading advocate for a policy agenda that helps manufacturers compete in the global economy and create jobs across the United States. For more information about the NAM or to follow us on Twitter and Facebook, please visit www.nam.org.

-CropLife America-

Established in 1933, CropLife America (www.croplifeamerica.org) represents the developers, manufacturers, formulators, and distributors of plant science solutions for agriculture and pest management in the United States. CropLife America’s member companies produce, sell, and distribute virtually all the necessary and vital pesticide and biotechnology products used by American farmers. CLA can be found on Twitter at @CropLifeAmerica.

-American Chemistry Council-

The American Chemistry Council’s mission is to advocate for the people, policy, and products of chemistry that make the United States the global leader in innovation and manufacturing. To achieve this, we: Champion science-based policy solutions across all levels of government; Drive continuous performance improvement to protect employees and communities through Responsible Care®; Foster the development of sustainability practices throughout ACC member companies; and Communicate authentically with communities about challenges and solutions for a safer, healthier and more sustainable way of life. Our vision is a world made better by chemistry, where people live happier, healthier, and more prosperous lives, safely and sustainably—for generations to come.

Washington, D.C. – The National Association of Manufacturers announced new 2024 leadership for its Council of Manufacturing Associations at the CMA 2024 Winter Leadership Conference. Jennifer Abril, president and CEO of the Society of Chemical Manufacturers & Affiliates, will serve as chair, and Alison Bodor, president and CEO of the American Frozen Food Institute, will serve as vice chair.

“The CMA’s mission is to demonstrate the vital importance of manufacturing to the American economy,” said Abril. “In collaboration with the NAM, the CMA’s member associations will advocate for job creation, investment and innovation in American manufacturing. The strength and weight of the CMA’s voice is unparalleled, and I am honored to serve as the champion for our collective industries’ resilience and growth.”

Made up of more than 200 industry-specific manufacturing associations representing 130,000 companies worldwide, the CMA creates powerful partnerships across the industry, working with the NAM to unite the manufacturing association community, and ultimately the broader business community, around strategies for increased manufacturing job creation, investment and innovation in America.

“Jennifer and Alison have been instrumental to the success of the CMA, particularly in pushing back against an onslaught of unsustainable regulations that would crush President Biden’s goal of growing manufacturing in the United States,” said NAM President and CEO Jay Timmons. “We are confident that they will work in their expanded roles to amplify manufacturers’ voices and further position our industry for global leadership.”

Abril has led SOCMA since 2016. Prior to that, she served as the president of the International Fragrance Association, North America and held leadership positions at the American Chemistry Council. She previously served as CMA vice chair.

Newly appointed 2024 CMA board members include the following:

• Stephen Kaminski, president and CEO, National Propane Gas Association
• Kelly Mariotti, president and CEO, Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers
• Ellen Thorp, executive director, EPDM Roofing Association

-NAM-

The National Association of Manufacturers is the largest manufacturing association in the United States, representing small and large manufacturers in every industrial sector and in all 50 states. Manufacturing employs nearly 13 million men and women, contributes $2.85 trillion to the U.S. economy annually and accounts for 53% of private-sector research and development. The NAM is the powerful voice of the manufacturing community and the leading advocate for a policy agenda that helps manufacturers compete in the global economy and create jobs across the United States. For more information about the NAM or to follow us on Twitter and Facebook, please visit www.nam.org

Washington, D.C. – National Association of Manufacturers President and CEO Jay Timmons released the following statement on U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s closure of two critical rail ports in Texas:

“Each day that rail operations at Eagle Pass and El Paso are suspended, more American jobs are put at risk. Snarling supply chains in this way could throw manufacturing production into disarray. Mexico is the United States’ largest trading partner, which means this shutdown threatens to inject serious uncertainty into the economy heading into the New Year.

“Manufacturers support CBP in their mission to protect national security, but stifling trade between the U.S. and Mexico is a direct threat to our economic competitiveness. It is not the solution to immigration challenges, but it does wrongly punish those who are not at fault. The NAM will continue working with the White House, CBP and leaders in the House and Senate to swiftly reopen the rail ports. This is yet another painful consequence of our broken immigration system, and our leaders need to recognize the urgency of fixing that system. Manufacturers are focused on solutions that uphold our laws and strengthen our economy.”

-NAM-

The National Association of Manufacturers is the largest manufacturing association in the United States, representing small and large manufacturers in every industrial sector and in all 50 states. Manufacturing employs nearly 13 million men and women, contributes $2.91 trillion to the U.S. economy annually and accounts for 53% of private-sector research and development. The NAM is the powerful voice of the manufacturing community and the leading advocate for a policy agenda that helps manufacturers compete in the global economy and create jobs across the United States. For more information about the NAM or to follow us on Twitter and Facebook, please visit www.nam.org.

The president of Connecticut-based outdoor lighting manufacturer Penn Globe recently oversaw the launch of a long-awaited passion project: the Manufacturing and Technical Community Hub, or MATCH, a New Haven, Connecticut–area nonprofit contract manufacturing organization and training program designed to fill job openings in the sector.

Seeing a need: “I am a manufacturer, and one of the things I saw missing from the various workforce training programs available was the manufacturers themselves,” LaFemina said. “They weren’t reaching [the participants] in these training programs. So I was a bit frustrated, but that frustration was good … because it led us to create a program with manufacturers training people for actual manufacturing jobs.”

• In 2021, LaFemina and MATCH co-founder Lindy Lee Gold, senior regional manager of the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development, secured funding from partners including Lee’s agency, the city of New Haven, the Connecticut Department of Labor and numerous nonprofits.
• This past June, after LaFemina—now MATCH board chair—and the rest of the organization’s board of directors signed a lease on a building, MATCH was born.

How it works: MATCH begins with a two-week, earn-as-you-learn program, offered in both English and Spanish.

• The organization offers training in everything from basic welding to CNC machining, allowing participants to choose the type of manufacturing that interests them most.
• Then, depending on the complexity of their chosen specialty, they may spend up to six additional weeks in paid, on-the-job training before being placed in jobs with local manufacturers.

Meeting the moment: Unlike job-training offerings that expect a certain level of familiarity with an industry, MATCH starts from scratch.

• “Some places say, ‘Let’s test you on something you know nothing about,’” LaFemina told us. “We want to meet the moment. … We’re asking you to come in, give us two weeks and we will pay you minimum wage for the time that you’re here learning.”
• “We’ll figure out what you like and what you’re good at, and as long as we have the workload to make things, you’ll have a job,” she continued.

Being accessible: MATCH also prides itself on seeking out potential employees, instead of waiting to be found.

• “We wanted a building in a specific neighborhood in New Haven,” LaFemina said. “It’s where the majority of the social agencies are, the immigration services, the reentry services. I’d been hearing for two years about how people have [training] programs but couldn’t get participants because [the program locations] were difficult to get to. This one isn’t.”

Family friendly: One of MATCH’s main goals is to reach parents, many of them women, who have left the workforce due to difficulty securing child care. The program’s core hours are 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, in sync with those of most schools.

• MATCH partners are already considering using the program’s New Haven facility as a training site for day care providers, to help alleviate the shortage of workers in that sector.
• In addition, the program’s first cohort of students came from the New Haven Healthy Start’s Fatherhood Involvement project, one of several local initiatives with which the organization has ongoing relationships.

What’s next: MATCH is on track to be financially self-sustaining in three to five years—and LaFemina predicts big growth after that.

• “I see multiple MATCHes down the road,” she said. “There’s already a call for more. My biggest goal is in a few years all of us older people, who leveraged our connections to make this happen, will turn it over to a younger group that will turn it into something even better than it already is.”

Washington, D.C. – National Association of Manufacturers President and CEO Jay Timmons released the following statement on the passing of Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor:

“After her ascension to the Supreme Court earned her a place in history, Justice O’Connor earned the respect of a grateful nation for a firm commitment to our Constitution, the rule of law and our American values of individual liberty and equal opportunity. The barrier-breaking first woman on the Supreme Court inspired generations with what President Reagan once described as ‘those unique qualities of temperament, fairness, intellectual capacity and devotion to the public good.’ It was the honor of a lifetime to interview her onstage at an NAM board meeting, and I realized very quickly that you could not sit down with Justice O’Connor without getting a proper grilling in return and being put in your place with a few well-placed zingers. When I asked her to tell us about a difficult case, she quipped, ‘Why would you ask a question like that? They were all difficult, of course, or they wouldn’t have come before the Supreme Court!’

“Justice O’Connor continued her commitment to public service even in retirement, spearheading efforts to strengthen civics education in our schools. As we mourn her passing and celebrate her legacy, the best way to honor her would be to continue advancing her mission. As she once said in a commencement address, ‘If we focus our energies on sharing ideas, finding solutions and using what is right with America to remedy what is wrong with it, we can make a difference.’ Sandra Day O’Connor certainly made a difference that will reverberate through the centuries. Manufacturers extend our deepest condolences to her family and loved ones.”

-NAM-

The National Association of Manufacturers is the largest manufacturing association in the United States, representing small and large manufacturers in every industrial sector and in all 50 states. Manufacturing employs nearly 13 million men and women, contributes $2.91 trillion to the U.S. economy annually and accounts for 53% of private-sector research and development. The NAM is the powerful voice of the manufacturing community and the leading advocate for a policy agenda that helps manufacturers compete in the global economy and create jobs across the United States. For more information about the NAM or to follow us on Twitter and Facebook, please visit www.nam.org.

Washington, D.C. – National Association of Manufacturers President and CEO Jay Timmons released the following statement on the passing of former First Lady Rosalynn Carter:

“Rosalynn Carter will be remembered for a life of service—to our country and our world and in particular those who were too easily overlooked. As a First Lady who helped redefine the role, she was a champion for mental health care. And in the more than four decades since her family left the White House and redefined the post-presidency, her leadership at the Carter Center promoted peace and advanced humanitarian causes, including saving lives by eradicating diseases and strengthening democracy through monitoring elections. In Plains, Georgia, she and President Carter, with their trademark warmth and kindness, continued setting an example for all with a partnership that prioritized family and faith. The National Association of Manufacturers extends our condolences to President Carter and to the entire Carter family.”

-NAM-

The National Association of Manufacturers is the largest manufacturing association in the United States, representing small and large manufacturers in every industrial sector and in all 50 states. Manufacturing employs nearly 13 million men and women, contributes $2.91 trillion to the U.S. economy annually and accounts for 53% of private-sector research and development. The NAM is the powerful voice of the manufacturing community and the leading advocate for a policy agenda that helps manufacturers compete in the global economy and create jobs across the United States. For more information about the NAM or to follow us on Twitter and Facebook, please visit www.nam.org.

Washington, D.C. – The National Association of Manufacturers named Stef Webb as its new Managing Vice President of Government Relations. Webb joins the NAM from Gopuff, the fast-growing $15 billion global consumer goods and food delivery company, where she served as director of corporate affairs, helping to establish its federal affairs program and spearhead public and government affairs during key market entries globally.

“Whether she’s bringing together lawmakers and line workers in Midwest manufacturing facilities or building relationships on Capitol Hill or in world capitals, Stef has built a sterling reputation as an effective and collaborative advocate who does not relent until the policies or priorities she’s fighting for are across the finish line,” said NAM President and CEO Jay Timmons.

Reporting to NAM Executive Vice President Erin Streeter and working alongside the organization’s broader advocacy leaders, Managing Vice Presidents Jamie Hennigan (Communications and Public Affairs), Chris Netram (Policy) and Chrys Kefalas (Brand Strategy), Webb will lead the association’s government relations strategy to advance the competitiveness of manufacturers in the United States.

“In this unpredictable and fast-changing political environment, it’s never been more important to have a government relations team that is steps ahead of where the policy opportunities and challenges could go,” said Streeter. “With Stef helping to lead our team, we’ll build on our track record of preparing for tomorrow, anticipating future needs and being a credible and trusted go-to voice and resource for manufacturers and our nation’s leaders.”

Webb brings proven experience in many areas critical to continuing to drive unapparelled results for the industry. She has held leadership roles in government relations, policy, political fundraising, political affairs, communications, membership, finance and operations. Prior to Gopuff, Webb served as director of federal government affairs at NAM member company Anheuser-Busch, showcasing her ability to bridge divides, winning support for key manufacturing priorities in the United States and creating initiatives—like Brew Across America—that brought policymakers together. During this part of her career, Webb’s successful and effective advocacy work first came to the attention of Timmons and Streeter.

“Manufacturing is the backbone of the American economy and the foundation of business in America, impacting nearly every industry and person,” said Webb. “The NAM has built a reputation as the most trusted voice and resource for manufacturers in the United States, and I’m excited to join this team to create an even better environment for manufacturers to compete, to create more jobs and to improve lives.”

Webb also serves her country as an officer in the United States Navy Reserve.

-NAM- 

The National Association of Manufacturers is the largest manufacturing association in the United States, representing small and large manufacturers in every industrial sector and in all 50 states. Manufacturing employs nearly 13 million men and women, contributes $2.91 trillion to the U.S. economy annually and accounts for 53% of private-sector research and development. The NAM is the powerful voice of the manufacturing community and the leading advocate for a policy agenda that helps manufacturers compete in the global economy and create jobs across the United States. For more information about the NAM or to follow us on Twitter and Facebook, please visit www.nam.org.

Washington, D.C. – The National Association of Manufacturers, joined by more than 1,300 associations and businesses representing manufacturers of all sizes, today called on Congress to act quickly in advancing bicameral legislation that would ensure the tax code once again supports the ability of businesses to create jobs in the U.S. and compete in the global economy. In a letter sent to Congress, the coalition writes:

“We, the undersigned businesses and trade associations, collectively employ millions of Americans in all sectors of the U.S. economy. As tax policy plays a critical role in the ability of businesses to thrive, create jobs in the U.S. and effectively compete in today’s global economy, we write to urge Congress to take immediate action to seamlessly extend three tax policies vital to workers and America’s future: immediate R&D expensing, a pro-growth interest deductibility standard and full expensing.

“Although legislation has been introduced in both chambers in support of these policies, Congress must act immediately to extend these competitive tax policies. Failing to do so will put hundreds of thousands of family-supporting jobs, cutting-edge innovation and pro-growth investments in America at risk.”

The groups writes that Congress can secure the U.S. as a global leader in innovation, incentivize job-creating investments and reinforce America’s competitiveness on the world stage by:

Ensuring the tax code supports innovation: The private sector accounts for more than 75% of total research and development spending, with small businesses alone accounting for approximately $90 billion of all private-sector R&D investments. With wages and salaries comprising approximately 75% of R&D spending, the R&D amortization requirement is first and foremost a jobs issue, with R&D jobs paying an average wage of more than $155,000. Moreover, for every $1 billion in R&D spending, 17,000 jobs are supported.

Enabling businesses to finance growth: Prior to Jan. 1, 2022, businesses’ interest expense deductions were limited by section 163(j) to 30% of their earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization. Interest deductions are now limited to 30% of earnings before interest and tax. By excluding depreciation and amortization, the stricter EBIT standard acts as a tax on investment, making it more expensive for capital-intensive companies throughout the supply chain to finance job-creating growth.

Making permanent a key incentive for capital equipment purchases: A 100% deduction for the purchase of equipment and machinery in the tax year purchased was in place from 2017 through 2022. Congress enacted full expensing to spur investments and ensure that the U.S. is well-positioned to attract capital in a competitive global marketplace. However, full expensing began to phase out at the beginning of 2023 and will be eliminated completely by 2027.

Click here to view the letter and the full list of signers.

-NAM-

The National Association of Manufacturers is the largest manufacturing association in the United States, representing small and large manufacturers in every industrial sector and in all 50 states. Manufacturing employs nearly 13 million men and women, contributes $2.91 trillion to the U.S. economy annually and accounts for 55% of private-sector research and development. The NAM is the powerful voice of the manufacturing community and the leading advocate for a policy agenda that helps manufacturers compete in the global economy and create jobs across the United States. For more information about the NAM or to follow us on Twitter and Facebook, please visit www.nam.org.

The NAM secured a critical win Monday when the Securities and Exchange Commission issued an order reversing course on a novel rule interpretation that would have forced private companies to disclose proprietary financial information publicly, Law 360 (subscription) reports.

What’s going on: In 2021, the SEC adopted a novel reinterpretation of SEC Rule 15c2-11, imposing the rule’s public disclosure requirements on private companies that raise capital via corporate bond issuances under SEC Rule 144A—without giving manufacturers the opportunity to provide comment on the damaging impacts of such a consequential change.

• The NAM and the Kentucky Association of Manufacturers pursued multipronged litigation and advocacy efforts arguing to the Commission and to the courts that the SEC’s actions were both procedurally improper and substantively indefensible.
• Rule 15c2-11 requires public disclosures for the protection of everyday investors in publicly traded companies that issue so-called “penny stocks.”
• But in 2020, the SEC expanded the rule to apply to privately held companies issuing corporate bonds to large institutional investors under Rule 144A.
• For decades prior, Rule 144A permitted trades in private companies’ fixed-incomes securities without public disclosure of the issuers’ financial information. Indeed, the SEC’s entire purpose for adopting Rule 144A was to allow companies to access the debt markets without public disclosure of their financial and business-strategy information.

NAM in the news: The SEC took the rare step of reversing its position on Monday, declaring that “it is appropriate in the public interest and consistent with the protection of investors” to exempt Rule 144A fixed-income securities from the requirements of Rule 15c2-11.

• “The order comes after industry groups petitioned the agency to provide relief to certain corporate debt issuers. The National Association of Manufacturers and the Kentucky Association of Manufacturers, which sought such relief in November 2022, also sued the agency in September, arguing that the SEC’s policy was enacted without public input and could harm job-creation efforts, given how many private companies rely on 144A bonds,” Law360 reports.
• Bloomberg Tax (subscription) also covered the news.

Why it’s important: Expansion of Rule 15c2-11 would have meant higher borrowing costs and less liquidity in the market—and resulted in more than 100,000 job losses a year, according to recent EY analysis prepared on behalf of the NAM.

Our take: The SEC’s action not only restores private companies’ ability to access the debt markets, but also exemplifies why the NAM litigates—as a last line of defense, to force an agency’s hand.

• “This order from the SEC is a landmark victory for manufacturers and a powerful affirmation of the NAM Legal Center’s ability to rein in regulatory overreach,” NAM Chief Legal Officer Linda Kelly said Tuesday. “We are thrilled that the Commission has reversed course on this unlawful attempt to impose a novel, onerous and wholly unjustified regulatory mandate on private companies.”
• Added KAM President and CEO Frank Jemley: “We applaud the SEC’s decision to withdraw its ill-conceived proposal. American business and free enterprise are best served when government respects the boundaries of its authority, which the SEC clearly did not do in this matter.”

Washington, D.C. – Following the announcement of the Securities and Exchange Commission’s decision to exempt Rule 144A debt—a type of corporate bond often issued by private companies—from its public disclosure requirements, the National Association of Manufacturers Chief Legal Officer Linda Kelly released the following statement:

“This order from the SEC is a landmark victory for manufacturers and a powerful affirmation of the NAM Legal Center’s ability to rein in regulatory overreach. Our multipronged advocacy and litigation efforts, alongside the Kentucky Association of Manufacturers, forced the SEC to grapple with its complete lack of justification for applying potentially harmful public disclosure requirements on Rule 144A issuers, which would have required private businesses to disclose proprietary financial information publicly. We are thrilled that the Commission has reversed course on this unlawful attempt to impose a novel, onerous and wholly-unjustified regulatory mandate on private companies.”

“We applaud the SEC’s decision to withdraw its ill-conceived proposal and appreciate the partnership with the outstanding team at the NAM to oppose it aggressively,” said Frank Jemley, President and CEO of the Kentucky Association of Manufacturers. “American business and free enterprise are best served when government respects the boundaries of its authority, which the SEC clearly did not do in this matter.”

Background:

The SEC adopted a novel reinterpretation of SEC Rule 15c2-11, imposing the rule’s public disclosure requirements on private companies that raise capital via corporate bond issuances under SEC Rule 144A—without giving manufacturers the opportunity to provide comment on the damaging impacts of such a consequential change.

According to a recent EY economic analysis commissioned by the NAM, the SEC’s expansion of Rule 15c2-11 would have resulted in decreased liquidity and increased borrowing costs in the manufacturing industry and throughout the economy—leading to job losses exceeding 100,000 annually.

The NAM and the KAM filed petitions for rulemaking, calling on the SEC to reverse course by clarifying—either by rule or by exemptive order—that Rule 144A issuers are not required to make public financial disclosures. After the agency temporarily delayed enforcement of its novel interpretation but failed to provide complete relief, the NAM and the KAM went to court—filing a lawsuit in federal district court challenging the Commission’s actions under the Administrative Procedure Act, along with parallel actions in the 6th Circuit seeking review of the agency’s failure to grant complete relief.

-NAM- 

The National Association of Manufacturers is the largest manufacturing association in the United States, representing small and large manufacturers in every industrial sector and in all 50 states. Manufacturing employs 13 million men and women, contributes $2.91 trillion to the U.S. economy annually and accounts for 54% of private-sector research and development. The NAM is the powerful voice of the manufacturing community and the leading advocate for a policy agenda that helps manufacturers compete in the global economy and create jobs across the United States. For more information about the NAM or to follow us on Twitter and Facebook, please visit www.nam.org.