News & Insights

Washington, D.C. – The nation’s most influential manufacturing advocate, the National Association of Manufacturers, today announced that Rockwell Automation Chairman and CEO Blake Moret and The J.M. Smucker Company Chairman and CEO Mark Smucker will serve as board chair and vice chair, respectively.

“At a defining moment for manufacturing—marked by rapid technological change, global competition and the need for policies that unlock investment in America—the NAM is excited to announce the election of these proven leaders,” said NAM President and CEO Jay Timmons. “Blake Moret and Mark Smucker lead companies that sit at the heart of America’s manufacturing strength—from overseeing advanced industrial automation powering the factories of the future to delivering iconic and trusted food brands that consumers and their families enjoy every day. Their leadership and vision will help manufacturers prosper and reach new heights in the years ahead. I also want to thank Immediate Past Chair and Johnson & Johnson Executive Vice President and Chief Technical Operations & Risk Officer Kathy Wengel for her outstanding leadership and steady guidance—delivering new opportunities for manufacturers and positioning our industry to build on that momentum.”

“Blake has long been an advocate for modern manufacturing, championing technology adoption, workforce development and a competitive policy environment that enables manufacturers of all sizes and all industries to grow and succeed,” Timmons continued. “Mark brings a seasoned manufacturing perspective grounded in operational excellence, supply chain strength and a commitment to community. In 2025, Congress delivered vital legislation making pro-manufacturing tax policies permanent. In 2026 and beyond, our industry will use that pro-growth tax foundation to build, expand, hire and innovate. At every step, these leaders will provide invaluable counsel to lay the groundwork for policies that deliver for our industry and enable manufacturers to make the most of these tax provisions. Together, Blake and Mark will be effective champions for the comprehensive manufacturing strategy our nation needs.”

“The manufacturing industry is at the center of America’s economic strength and global leadership,” said Moret. “It is an honor to serve as chair of the NAM Board and to represent manufacturers who are innovating, investing and creating opportunity across the country. I look forward to working with Jay and the NAM team to advance policies that support growth, technology leadership and a robust manufacturing workforce.”

Moret previously served as Chair of the Board for the Manufacturing Institute, the workforce development and education affiliate of the NAM. Throughout his tenure, he was deeply engaged in efforts to build skills programs and change the perception of modern manufacturing careers.

The NAM Board of Directors guides the association’s leadership in policy advocacy, legal action, operational excellence, workforce development and news and insights. More than 200 manufacturing leaders serve on the NAM Board, helping advance an agenda that enhances manufacturing competitiveness and the industry’s ability to improve lives in the United States and around the world.

The new board leadership was elected at the September NAM board meeting.

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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 $2.90 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. – Following President Trump’s proclamation adjusting imports of processed critical minerals and semiconductors—two foundational inputs for manufacturing—National Association of Manufacturers President and CEO Jay Timmons issued the following statement:

“Yesterday’s moves build on the president’s long-standing commitment to expanding manufacturing capacity in the United States and represent a meaningful step toward strengthening the critical mineral supply chains that underpin our economic and national security. We appreciate the administration for clearly recognizing that the United States’ lack of domestic processing capacity is a central vulnerability. Outdated permitting laws and procedures are constraining our ability to mine and process domestic resources, modernize infrastructure, advance research and development, shore up supply chains and enhance American competitiveness.

“Manufacturers depend on secure, sustainable supply chains for critical minerals to make everything from defense technology and energy transmission to transportation systems, automotive parts and vehicles and a wide array of advanced industrial and consumer products made here in America.

“Beyond their ubiquity in defense technology, industrial and consumer vehicles and electronics, semiconductors are also critical components in manufacturing machinery and equipment. The decision to work to secure access to critical semiconductor inputs used to build out U.S. supply chains—such as semiconductors used in automotive applications, factory robotics and industrial machinery—sends a clear signal to manufacturers and will encourage further domestic manufacturing investment.

“Last year, the NAM asked Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer to pursue new, enforceable agreements that lock in preferential access to critical mineral inputs as we work to reduce overreliance on China and rebalance critical input sourcing. We are encouraged by the administration’s commitment to pursue these trade deals aggressively.

“Manufacturers believe that innovative critical mineral trade agreements present a powerful opportunity to secure preferential access with trusted allied partners that have complementary assets, production capabilities and expertise. These agreements can also be used to unlock beneficial investment terms to leverage co-financing and pooled capital arrangements as well as support long-term offtake agreements that strengthen supply chain certainty. By deepening strategic partnerships with our allies, the U.S. can reduce vulnerability to geopolitical risks and address unfair trading practices.

“We will continue to work with Congress and the administration to support a robust and competitive U.S. critical minerals industry—durable trade deals coupled with permitting reform to unlock domestic resources and processing—so manufacturers of all sizes have reliable access to the materials needed to produce innovative, next-generation products and to grow, compete and create jobs.”

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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 $2.90 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.

733 10th St. NW, Suite 700 • Washington, DC 20001 • (202) 637-3000

Nonfarm payroll employment ticked up by 50,000 in December. Meanwhile, October and November’s job gains were revised downward by 76,000 to a loss of 173,000 jobs and a gain of 56,000 jobs, respectively. Following the government shutdown, employment is still down by 67,000 from September. The 12-month average stands at 49,000 job gains per month. On the other hand, the unemployment rate edged down 0.1 percentage point from November to 4.4% in December, while the labor force participation rate also ticked down 0.1 percentage point to 62.4%.

Manufacturing employment decreased by 8,000 in December, the eighth consecutive month of job losses, after slipping by 2,000 in November. On the other hand, the collective job losses in September and October of 14,000 were revised upward by 3,000 jobs to a decrease of 11,000 jobs. Manufacturing employment is down 68,000 over the year. Durable goods manufacturing employment edged down by 3,000 in December, while nondurable goods employment fell by 5,000. The most significant gain in manufacturing in December occurred in miscellaneous manufacturing, which added 1,800 jobs over the month. Meanwhile, the most significant loss occurred in plastics and rubber products manufacturing, which shed 4,900 jobs over the month.

The employment-population ratio inched up 0.1 percentage point from November to 59.7% in December but is down 0.2 percentage points from a year ago. Employed persons who are part-time workers for economic reasons declined by 146,000 from November to 5.34 million in December and are up from 4.36 million in December 2024. Native-born employment is down 656,000 from November but up 2,043,000 over the year. Meanwhile, foreign-born employment is up 310,000 over the month and 383,000 over the year. At the same time, the native-born unemployment rate is up 0.4 percentage points over the year to 4.1% in December, while the foreign-born unemployment rate is down 0.2 percentage points to 4.1%.

Average hourly earnings for all private nonfarm payroll employees rose 0.3%, or 12 cents, reaching $37.02. Over the past year, earnings have grown 3.8%. The average workweek for all employees edged down 0.1 hour to 34.2 hours and by 0.2 hours to 39.9 hours for manufacturing employees.

The Environmental Protection Agency’s ENERGY STAR program is one step closer to continuation, thanks to NAM advocacy to secure funding in a bicameral appropriations measure released this week (GREENWIRE, subscription).

What’s going on: The text of the funding bill, which provides annual appropriations for the EPA, was released Monday as part of a three-bill “minibus” and “would set aside about $33 million this fiscal year for ENERGY STAR, the energy-efficiency rating program for appliances.”

• The voluntary NAM-supported program, which the EPA reorganized in 2025, establishes efficiency thresholds for a variety of products and materials, such as washing machines and air conditioners, and allows manufacturers to place the program’s logo on items that meet the criteria.
• The NAM has called ENERGY STAR “a critical and popular voluntary program that benefits manufacturers that make more energy-efficient products.”

There’s more: The funding bill, which still requires full congressional approval, also supports two water-conservation programs: WaterSense and Trash Free Waters.

• “WaterSense partners with manufacturers, local governments and others on voluntary water-saving initiatives, while the latter program seeks to keep trash and debris out of oceans, lakes, rivers and estuaries.”

Our view: Manufacturers and consumers benefit from the ENERGY STAR program’s continuation, the NAM and allied groups told legislators last June.

“Electricity saved by ENERGY STAR helps free up space on the grid needed so the U.S. can lead the world to power and grow artificial intelligence, support the burgeoning crypto asset industry and bring more manufacturing plants back to our shores,” they said.

Washington, D.C. – Following the Department of Treasury’s announcement that the United States has finalized a side-by-side agreement with OECD allies that will shield manufacturers in America from damaging taxes, National Association of Manufacturers President and CEO Jay Timmons released the following statement:

“Thanks to President Trump, Secretary Bessent and the administration, this finalized side-by-side agreement—cementing the initial agreement reached in summer 2025—will protect both domestic and foreign-headquartered manufacturers investing in the United States from oppressive, job-killing taxes. Heeding the call of our industry, this deal will shield manufacturers from damaging taxes that unfairly stifle job creation in the U.S.

“Furthermore, today’s finalized deal gives manufacturers greater certainty to unlock the full potential of the historic tax provisions of H.R. 1 that manufacturers championed.

“The side-by-side global tax system will ensure that manufacturers in the U.S. can compete on a level playing field, invest in their operations and hire more workers. In short, this deal is a massive triumph for manufacturers in the United States.”

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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 $2.90 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. 

733 10th St. NW, Suite 700 • Washington, DC 20001 • (202) 637-3000

Washington, D.C. – Following recent developments in Venezuela, National Association of Manufacturers President and CEO Jay Timmons released the following statement:

“The National Association of Manufacturers has long monitored developments in Venezuela because of the profound impact that political instability, authoritarian governance and the erosion of the rule of law have had on manufacturers in the United States and broader U.S. and hemispheric economic interests.

“For years, the Maduro regime—and the Chávez regime before it—has dismantled democratic institutions, violated fundamental rights and undermined legal protections for investment. Manufacturers in the United States have been directly harmed through the expropriation and nationalization of U.S. assets without due process, driving away investment and destroying economic opportunity for the people of Venezuela.

“Manufacturers believe that respect for the rule of law, private property and democratic governance is essential to restoring stability and economic growth in Venezuela. A democratic path forward is critical to achieving that outcome.

“At this pivotal moment, we urge Congress to engage with the Administration on how recent events can serve as a catalyst for a constitutional, democratic transition that restores the rights of the Venezuelan people, respects lawful American investments and lays the foundation for renewed economic opportunity in Venezuela and throughout the Western Hemisphere.”

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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 $2.90 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. 

733 10th St. NW, Suite 700 • Washington, DC 20001 • (202) 637-3000 

Washington, D.C. – Following House passage of the bipartisan Standardizing Permitting and Expediting Economic Development (SPEED) Act by a vote of 221-196, National Association of Manufacturers President and CEO Jay Timmons released the following statement: 

“With permitting reform, manufacturers will be able to build and expand operations all across the country, creating more well-paying jobs that strengthen communities and help families thrive. It’s about lifting people up, expanding opportunity and making the American Dream a reality. 

“Permitting reform is the key that allows us to realize the benefits of historic tax reforms fully, make America energy dominant, lead the world in artificial intelligence and drive innovation on shop floors. Measures like the SPEED Act, which is a cornerstone of the NAM’s ‘Manufacturing’s Roadmap to AI and Energy Dominance,’ will boost American competitiveness and help us build a better quality of life for all.  

“Now that the House has passed the SPEED Act, it has completed a rapid series of actions on permitting legislation with bipartisan support. In the New Year, the Senate should come together in the same bipartisan spirit to pass legislation that will empower America’s manufacturers to grow, compete and win. 

“Manufacturers send our gratitude to every member who voted ‘yes,’ and particularly House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Bruce Westerman (R-AR) and Rep. Jared Golden (D-ME) for their leadership.” 

Background: 

The NAM called on House members to vote “yes” on the SPEED Act ahead of the vote.  

Last week, manufacturers urged House members to vote “yes” on the PERMIT Act. This legislation adopts the NAM’s key recommendations for modernizing the Clean Water Act—reforms that increase certainty for permittees, clarify the scope of the CWA and address bottlenecks that have delayed job-creating projects.  

The House passed several additional NAM-backed permitting and grid modernization bills, including the Improving Interagency Coordination for Pipeline Reviews Act, the ePermit Act and the Electric Supply Chain Act—all of which are critical to achieving manufacturers’ vision of energy and AI dominance. 

Manufacturers also strongly supported the House Energy and Commerce Committee’s Environment Subcommittee action last week to advance key legislation to reform the Clean Air Act. From modernizing the New Source Review and National Ambient Air Quality Standards programs, to improving how the Environmental Protection Agency deals with wildfires and international emissions, these bills are integral to comprehensive permitting reform so manufacturers can get shovels in the ground quicker to expand investments and jobs. 

According to results from the NAM’s Q2 and Q4 2024 Manufacturers’ Outlook Surveys:   

• 80% of manufacturers say that the length and complexity of the permitting process is harmful to increasing investment; 

• 87% of manufacturers would expand business operations, hire more workers or increase wages and benefits if the permitting process were more streamlined; and 
• 68% of manufacturers with permittable expansion plans say they would be able to expand more quickly with a streamlined federal permitting system. 

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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 $2.90 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. 

733 10th St. NW, Suite 700 • Washington, DC 20001 • (202) 637-3000 

Washington, D.C. – Manufacturers continue to report a mixed bag of economic challenges, according to the National Association of Manufacturers Q4 2025 Manufacturers’ Outlook Survey. As manufacturers began feeling the positive impacts of the tax bill and the president’s regulatory agenda on their business, optimism ticked up, but trade uncertainties loom, and health care costs continue to rise as a top concern for manufacturers.

“In line with the improvement in the outlook, companies expect most indices to improve marginally over the next 12 months,” said NAM Chief Economist Victoria Bloom. “For example, manufacturers predict sales will increase 2.8%, up from 2.6% in Q3, and capital investments will grow 1.4%, up from 1.0% in the prior quarter. That said, while sentiment has improved, we are still below the historical average of 74%.”

Optimism rose 4.9 percentage points, with 69.9% of respondents reporting a positive outlook for their companies, up from 65.0% in Q3. Yet, in line with last quarter, trade uncertainties remained the top business challenge at 73.1%, with 80.3% of respondents reporting they have paid tariffs on imported manufacturing inputs since the start of the year. Additionally, rising health care and insurance costs rose to manufacturers’ second-highest business concern at 70.2%, with more than 94% of manufacturers expecting higher health insurance premiums in 2026, projecting an average jump of 11%. A weaker domestic economy and sales to U.S. customers ranked as the third-highest concern at 60.1%.

Other Key Survey Findings:

• A majority of manufacturers (80.3%) report paying tariffs on imported manufacturing inputs since the start of 2025, led by 58.6% of respondents paying Section 232 tariffs, 52.1% paying reciprocal tariffs on other countries under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act and 50.0% paying Section 301 tariffs on China.
• Tariffs are impacting manufacturers of all sizes, with 72.8% of small and medium-sized manufacturers with fewer than 500 employees paying tariffs on inputs this year—alongside 97% of large manufacturers.
• When it comes to hiring needs, 72.1% of respondents cite skilled production workers (technicians, welders and machinists), 60.1% point to core production workers (operators, assemblers and packaging) and 33.5% say they need high-skilled, degreed workers (scientists, researchers and engineers).
• Climate disclosure regulations are costing manufacturers, with more than one-third (38.2%) of manufacturers subject to new international or state laws and regulations requiring disclosure of emissions and climate risks. Of those respondents, 91.6% face increased reporting costs and are diverting funds from productive uses to pay these added costs.
• 82.3% of respondents indicated it is important to their companies for Congress to pass legislation maintaining robust, multiyear infrastructure investment to support manufacturing.

The NAM releases these results to the public each quarter. Further information on the survey is available here.

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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 $2.90 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.

733 10th St. NW, Suite 700 • Washington, DC 20001 • (202) 637-3000

Washington, D.C. – Following the release of President Trump’s executive order to direct federal agencies to institute much-needed reforms to proxy advisory firms, National Association of Manufacturers President and CEO Jay Timmons released the following statement:

“Manufacturers thank President Trump for taking action to rein in proxy advisory firms and depoliticize shareholder proposals—protecting manufacturers and Main Street investors alike. With Institutional Shareholder Services and Glass Lewis controlling 97% of the proxy advice market, manufacturers have long argued that these firms wield outsized, harmful influence on businesses—threatening growth and endangering shareholder returns.

“By directing federal agencies to protect manufacturers and Main Street investors from this duopoly, the president’s EO will increase transparency, reduce errors, mitigate conflicts of interest and depoliticize the proxy process. Manufacturers have been calling for these reforms for years, and we look forward to engaging with the SEC, DOL and FTC as they work to rein in these firms’ outsized influence.”

Background:

Following years of NAM advocacy, the SEC finalized a rule during the first Trump administration to rein in proxy firms; the rule was rescinded in 2021 following the change in presidential administrations.

Earlier this year, the NAM submitted detailed recommendations to the SEC of policies that would depoliticize the shareholder proposal process and provide meaningful oversight of proxy advisory firms. In November, the NAM released a new five-pager detailing specific steps Congress and the SEC should take to reform proxy firms and depoliticize corporate shareholder proposals.

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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 $2.90 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. –  In response to President Trump’s executive order on state regulation of artificial intelligence, National Association of Manufacturers President and CEO Jay Timmons released the following statement:

“As the president demonstrates his commitment to both advancing American technological dominance and bolstering investment in manufacturing, he is rightly recognizing that winning the global race for AI hinges on getting AI policy right, which means avoiding a cumbersome 50-state patchwork of laws and regulations that would throttle interstate commerce, stifle innovation, limit AI adoption and erode America’s competitive edge.

“As we laid out in ‘Manufacturing’s Roadmap to AI and Energy Dominance,’ policymakers should review existing laws and regulations to identify barriers to innovation, ensure context-specific rules, encourage transparency and ensure a level playing field for developers and manufacturers alike. AI innovations are already transforming shop floors across the country. Fifty-one percent of manufacturers surveyed by the Manufacturing Leadership Council already have embedded AI in their operations, and 80% expect it to be essential for their operations by 2030.

“Manufacturers support the administration’s approach toward avoiding a 50-state patchwork that would prevent America from winning the global AI race. Instead of a complex, costly and burdensome patchwork, manufacturers back tailored rules that narrowly target specific use-cases and well-identified risks without diminishing the potential breakthroughs and economic impact that could be harnessed by American innovators. We encourage Congress to emulate the president’s risk-based approach with legislation that will codify his administration’s vision of a streamlined and nimble AI agenda to support competition and American innovation.”

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