News

Optimism Grows, But Tariffs and Strong Dollar Raise Concerns

January 26, 2025
NAM Newsroom
313-875-4480 8:23 AMInterview Concludes 10:45 AMJay Timmons Arrives at KIAD Signature Flight Support 23950 Wind Sock Drive, Suite 2000, Dulles, VA 20166 Tail number N573PT *All other passengers should arrive by 9:00 AM 11:10 AM ETDepart for Austin, TX Lunch will be served in-flight 1:00 PM CTArrive at KAUS (Ground transportation will be waiting) 4321 Emma Browning Avenue, Austin, TX 78719 1:15 PMDepart for the W Austin 200 Lavaca Street, Austin, TX 1:40 PMArrive at the W Austin 2:00 PMHOLD: Phone interview with Dee Depass, Minneapolis Star Tribune Jay Timmons or staff should call Dee Depass at the confirmed time.  612-673-7725 Dee will ask about the upcoming meeting with David Farr and President Trump, what the NAM is hearing from manufacturers on how to grow the sector and overall outlook for manufacturing in 2017. 2:20 PMInterview concludes 3:30 PMDepart for Capitol Tonight with Karina Kling Spectrum News 1708 Colorado St. Austin, TX 78701 3:50 PMArrive at Spectrum News/Capitol Tonight Studio 4:30 PMDepart for the W Austin 200 Lavaca Street, Austin, TX 5:00 PMPhone interview Ted Goodman, The Daily Caller Jay to call Ted 202-709-2482 6:45 PMMeet in the hotel lobby to depart for dinner at Uchi 7:00 PMDinner reservation at Uchi 801 S. Lamar Boulevard, Austin, TX Reservation is under Jay Timmons Participants include: Jay Timmons Erin Streeter Chrys Kefalas David Bohrer Jennifer Drogus Martha Sprague Brittany Seabury Mark Isaacson Ben Jenkins Matt Simeon 8:45 PMDinner concludes and NAM staff departs for hotel Wednesday, February 22 – All Times Are Central Time (CT) unless noted 6:20 AMDepart W Austin for “Good Day Austin” interview Jay Timmons, Jenn Drogus, Ben Jenkins KTBC FOX 7 119 E. 10th Street, Austin, TX 78701 In-studio TV interview 6:30 AMArrive at KTBC FOX 7 Enter through the side door on Brazos Street Security will let guest inside Regina Gilbert, Producer, 404-353-5250   No make-up artist or hair stylist on staff Call 404-353-5250 with any issues 7:05 AMInterview concludes. Depart for W Austin 200 Lavaca Street, Austin, TX 7:12 AMArrive at the W Austin 8:00 AMMeet in lobby of the W Austin Brittany Seabury, Chrys Kefalas lead briefing for Jay Timmons 8:20 AMDepart the W Austin 200 Lavaca Street, Austin, TX 9:00 AMArrive at Emerson 1100 W. Louis Henna Boulevard Round Rock, TX 78681 9:35 AM NAM Team meets with David Farr 9:48 AM Matt Simeon briefs speakers Speakers include: Jay Timmons, President and CEO, National Association of Manufacturers David Farr, Chairman and CEO, Emerson Electric Company Secretary of State Rolando Pablos Congressman Bill Flores (R-TX) Jim Nyquist, Group President Systems and Solutions, Emerson Automation Solutions Julian Alvarez, Commissioner Representing Labor, Texas Workforce Commission Michael Kane, Vice President, Operations at Sasol North American Operations 9:58 AM Speakers enter event space and take theirs seats on the front row 10:00 AMState of Manufacturing Tour video plays 10:02 AM Jim Nyquist delivers welcome and introduces Julian Alvarez 10:07 AMJulian Alvarez delivers remarks and introduces Rep. Bill Flores 10:13 AMRep. Flores delivers remarks and introduces Jay Timmons 10:20 AMJay Timmons delivers remarks and introduces Secretary Rolando Pablos 10:27 AMSecretary Pablos delivers address establishing “Modern Manufacturing Week” in Texas in a formal proclamation Jay Timmons and David Farr join Secretary Pablos on stage for presentation 10:30 AMJay Timmons introduces David Farr 10:32 AM David Farr delivers partial remarks and introduces Michael Kane 10:37 AMMichael Kane delivers remarks and asks David Farr to return to the stage 10:49 AMDavid Farr returns and finishes remarks 10:53 AMJim Nyquist returns to the stage to explain next steps 10:57 AMSpeakers and NAM team exit room 11:00 AMGroup A enters IOPs Center for Q&A Moderated by Erin Streeter, NAM 11:00 AMGroups B and C mingle in the lobby and enjoy refreshments in café prior to facility tour 11:15 AM Emerson facility tours begin in Groups A, B, C 12:25 PMTour concludes 12:30 PMLunch for Groups A, B, C 1:30 PMLunch concludes 1:45 PMNAM team departs for General Motors IT Innovation Center 717 E Parmer Lane, Austin, TX 78753 2:15 PMArrive at GM IT Innovation Center Park in Visitor Parking Present photo ID to front desk security officer to receive a badge 2:20 PMNAM team meets with GM staff 2:45 PMCIO Ahmed Mahmoud and Director Mike Maher will lead NAM team on facility tour Ahmed’s leadership team and employees will provide demonstrations •First stop: 24/7 IT Operations Center with Director Renee Pollack •Second stop: IT Transformation overview – Ahmed’s Manufacturing IT leaders •Third stop: Sample of current IT Manufacturing Innovation – Ahmed’s Manufacturing IT leaders •Final stop: Panel Q&A with five recent college hires developers in Manufacturing IT 4:00 PMFacility tour and demonstrations conclude 4:15 PMNAM team depart GM for HELM Boots 5305 Bolm Road, Suite 6 Austin, TX 78721 4:30 PM                    Arrive at HELM Boots Grey door before the loading dock 4:32 PM NAM team greeted by Joshua Bingaman, founder of HELM Boots, and Brad Day, COO of HELM Boots.                                     4:35 PM Joshua shows NAM President and CEO Jay Timmons around the design office/office and shares some background about the current operation   4:45 PMJoshua, Jay and the rest of the HELM Boots and NAM teams gather around the design center conference table   4:46 PMJoshua and Brad share the story of HELM Boots, following this outline (with questions during the discussion from the NAM team):   •How, why HELM Boots began •Shift from manufacturing in Turkey to manufacturing in the U.S. •Insistence that American workers and designers can make world class boots that are on par, or better, than the best anywhere •How technology is making light manufacturing in the U.S. more viable, as it did and does for HELM Boots •There isn’t just room in America for, but an calling for “Creative working class heroes” •HELM Boots and manufacturing are about looking towards the future •HELM Boots is an example of how we can jumpstart manufacturing in America •What’s the future look like for manufacturing in Austin and HELM Boots                                     5:15 PMJay gets his own pair of HELM Boots   5:20 PMJay offers his thanks, and photographer NAM David Bohrer takes photos of the HELM Boots and NAM teams. 5:30 PMNAM departs for KAUS 4321 Emma Browning Avenue, Austin, TX 78719 6:00 PMPhone Interview with Sergio Chapa, San Antonio Business Journal Jay Timmons to call 210-477-0871 *Please note that the interview will be recorded. Special instructions: Sergio will want to ask about NAFTA due to its impact to San Antonio and trade with Mexico.  He will also ask about President Trump. 6:15 PMArrive at KAUS 7:00 PM CTDepart for KIAD Dinner served in-flight Tail number N573PT 10:39 PM ETArrive at KIAD Signature Flight Support 23950 Wind Sock Drive, Suite 2000, Dulles, VA 20166 Thursday, February 23 – All Times Are Eastern Time (ET) unless noted 7:30 AMArrive at Wall Street Journal 1025 Connecticut Ave, NW, Suite 800, Washington, DC 20036 Meeting participants: Jay Timmons David Farr Aric Newhouse Gerry Seib, Washington Bureau Chief, Wall Street Journal *Additional reporters to be named at a later date 8:00 AMEditorial Board Meeting Begins 9:00 AMEditorial Board Meeting Concludes 9:05 AMNAM team departs for KIAD 10:05 AMArrive at KIAD Signature Flight Support 23950 Wind Sock Drive, Suite 2000, Dulles, VA 20166 10:45 AMDepart for KTEB Tail number N573PT 11:45 AMArrive at KTEB 401 Industrial Avenue, Teterboro, NJ 07608 12:00 PMDepart the Wall Street Journal for “Your World with Neil Cavuto” 1211 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10036 *Same building Participant: Jay Timmons 1:00 PMArrive at Fox Business for Neil Cavuto interview Participant: Jay Timmons 1:45 PMNeil Cavuto interview concludes 1:55 PMDepart for W New York – Times Square 1567 Broadway, New York, NY 10036 Studio 3 2:10 PMArrive at W New York – Times Square 2:30 PMPhone Interview with Jill Cowan, Dallas Morning News Jay Timmons to call 214-977-8140 *Location pending 2:45 PMInterview concludes 4:15 PMMeeting with Steve Forbes W New York – Times Square 1567 Broadway, New York, NY 10036 Studio 3 Participants include: Jay Timmons David Farr Bill Dal Col, President, Potomac Communications Strategies 5:00 PMMeeting concludes 5:15 PMDepart for “Making Money with Charles Payne” Fox Business 1211 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10036 Participant: David Farr 5:30 PMArrive at Fox Business 6:30 PMInterview concludes and NAM departs for KTEB 233 Industrial Avenue, Teterboro, NJ 07608 7:15 PMArrive at KTEB 8:00 PM Depart for KDTW Dinner served in-flight Tail number N573PT 9:30 PM Arrive at KDTW (Ground transportation will be waiting) 31705 East Service Drive, Detroit, MI 48242 9:45 PMDepart for The Westin Book Cadillac Detroit 1114 Washington Boulevard, Detroit, MI 48226 10:15 PMArrive at The Westin Book Cadillac Detroit Friday, February 24 7:30 AMMeet at The Boulevard Located on the 2nd floor of The Westin Book Cadillac Detroit Jeff Pierce, Felicia Jaeger, Matt Simeon lead briefing for Jay Timmons 8:15 AMBreakfast and briefing conclude 8:30 AMMeeting with Cooper Standard’s leadership team Second Floor, Boulevard A Participants include: Jeff Edwards, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Keith Stephenson, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Matt Hardt, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Larry Ott, Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer Aleks Miziolek, Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary Sharon Wenzl, Senior Vice President, Corporate Communications and Community Affairs Fernando De Miguel, Senior Vice President and President of Europe Bill Pumphrey, Senior Vice President and President, North America Song Lee, Senior Vice President and President, Asia Pacific Jeff Pierce Felicia Jaeger Erin Streeter Chrys Kefalas 9:00 AMCooper Standard meeting concludes 9:25 AMCNN interview for Jay Timmons Location pending 9:42 AMCNN interview concludes 9:45 AMHOLD: Press Availability Location pending 10:20 AMPress availability concludes 10:30 AMMove to 803 Televast Building The tour will showcase this new facility completed in 2013 10:55 AMExchange Greetings 2nd Floor lobby Participants include: Jay Timmons Congresswoman Debbie Dingell, Beth Chappell, President, Detroit Economic Club Terry O’Sullivan, General President, Laborers’ International Union of North America (LIUNA) 11:00 AMStudent Reception 3rd Floor, Founders Participants include: Jay Timmons Congresswoman Debbie Dingell Beth Chappell Terry O’Sullivan 80 high school and college students from the Detroit area 11:40 AMSpeaker Reception & Receiving Line 4th Floor, Italian Garden Participants include: Jay Timmons Congresswoman Debbie Dingell Beth Chappell DEC Board Members Event Sponsors and VIPs 12:00 PMLunch (Woodward Ballroom) 12:35 PMWelcome, Pledge of Allegiance, Invocation, DEC Business Beth Chappell 12:43 PMCongresswoman Dingell delivers introduction of Jay Timmons 12:45 PMJay Timmons delivers remarks 1:15 PMAudience Q&A Participants include: Jay Timmons Congresswoman Dingell Beth Chappell *Moderates 1:30 PMAdjournment delivered by Beth Chappell 1:33 PMMedia Availability Beside the main stage 1:43 PMMedia Availability concludes 1:45 PMNAM team departs for Ford Virtual Manufacturing Lab 2:15 PMArrive at Ford Virtual Manufacturing Lab 6100 Mercury Drive, Dearborn, MI The NAM will tour Ford’s EVAL (Ergonomics Variation Analysis Lab) and learn how our team uses virtual reality to improve the ergonomics for the workers on the line while maintaining high vehicle quality for our customers. The team uses full-body motion capture, 3D printing and immersive reality. You will get to experience immersive virtual reality for yourself. 2:18 PMNAM team meets with Ford staff Bruce Hettle, Group Vice President Manufacturing & Labor Affairs Janice Goral, Chief Engineer, Digital Innovation, VOME Marty Smets, Ergonomics Engineer Brad Simmons, Director, Government and Stakeholder Relations Kelli Felker, Manager, Manufacturing and Labor Communications Lloryn Love-Carter, Manufacturing Communications 2:20 PMFord staff lead NAM staff on facility tour and virtual demonstrations 3:10 PMFacility tour and demonstrations conclude 3:15 PMNAM staff depart Ford 4:00 PMNAM team and guests arrive at Macomb Community College 7900 Tank Avenue, Warren, MI 48092 4:03 PMNAM team greeted by Dr. Jim Jacobs and Dr. James Sawyer 4:10 PMRemarks by Jay Timmons to students, faculty, guests Remarks will touch on the workforce opportunities post-graduation and the importance of the manufacturing industry to the state and national economies. 4:15 PMPresentation of certificates 14 students will be called on individually by Dr. Joe Petrosky while Jay Timmons to handout the certificates and shake hands with students. 4:30 PMTour of The Michigan Technical Education Center (M-TEC) A 40,600 square foot facility providing education and training in advanced integrated manufacturing, automated systems and robotics. 5:00 PMRoundtable discussion – moderated by Dr. Sawyer Participants include: NAM team Three Macomb students Dr. Sawyer *Moderator Dr. Jacobs Dr. Petrosky U.S. Senator Gary Peters (D-MI) U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) Congressman Sandy Levin (D-MI) State Senator Steve Bieda (MI-9th) State Representative Mike Green (MI-31st) *Please note all elected officials attending are Democrats 6:00 PMRoundtable discussion concludes 6:05 PMMedia availability for speakers 6:05 PMMartha Sprague of the NAM conducts social media interviews with Macomb students in a side room near the roundtable discussion 6:25 PMMedia availability concludes 6:30 PMNAM team departs for KDTW 7:30 PMArrive at KDTW (Ground transportation will be waiting) 1114 Washington Boulevard, Detroit, MI 48226 8:00 PMDepart for KIAD Dinner served in-flight Tail number N573PT 9:00 PM Arrive at KIAD Signature Flight Support 23950 Wind Sock Drive, Suite 2000, Dulles, VA 20166 Sunday, February 26 4:15 PMMeet at KIAD Signature Flight Support 23950 Wind Sock Drive, Suite 2000, Dulles, VA 20166 5:00 PM Depart for KCMH Snacks will be served Tail number N573PT 6:00 PMArrive at KCMH 4130 East 5th Avenue, Columbus, OH 43219 6:35 PMArrive at the Residence Inn Columbus Dublin 6364 Frantz Rd, Dublin, OH 43017 7:15 PMMeet in hotel lobby to depart for dinner at Hyde Park 1615 Old Henderson Rd, Upper Arlington, OH 43220 7:30 PMArrive at Hyde Park Reservation is under Jay Timmons Participants include: Jay Timmons Sharon Damico Jeff Pierce Aric Newhouse Chrys Kefalas Jamie Hennigan David Bohrer Jennifer Drogus Martha Sprague Kameron Dodge Mark Isaacson Ben Jenkins Matt Simeon 9:00 PMDepart for Residence Inn 9:15 PMArrive at Residence Inn Monday, February 27 6:30 AMMeet in the hotel lobby Jeff Pierce, Kameron Dodge, Matt Simeon lead briefing for Jay Timmons 6:50 AM Depart hotel for Honda of America Manufacturing 25000 Honda Parkway, Marysville, OH 43040 7:30 AMArrive at Honda of America Manufacturing Performance Manufacturing Center 25000 Honda Parkway, Marysville, OH 43040 *Visitors parking is left of the main entrance This facility is the exclusive global production site for the Acura NSX, which is the only supercar designed and built solely in the United States. You will see processes we have created structured around an innovative blend of people and technology. Combining human craftsmanship and technological innovation, the plant utilizes new approaches to vehicle construction, paint, assembly and quality confirmation which perfectly deliver on the Acura commitment to Precision Crafted Performance. 7:35 AMNAM team meets with Honda staff Pam Heminger, Vice President Tom Shoupe, Executive Vice President Mike Fischer, PMC Plant Manager Caroline Ramsey, Manager, Communications & Government Relations Matt Howells, Coordinator, Government & Industry Relations Stacey Koons, Coordinator, Communications 7:40 AMMike Fischer lead NAM staff on facility tour and product demonstrations NAM’s Martha Sprague conducts Facebook Live interviews of Honda employee(s): Sandip Suvedi Susan Dulik Vaughn Thibaut 8:35 AMFacility tour and demonstrations conclude 8:45 AMNAM staff departs for Anheuser-Busch 700 Schrock Road, Columbus, OH 43229 9:30 AMArrive at Anheuser-Busch 9:35 AM NAM Team meets with A-B representatives Scott Corbitt, Vice President of State Affairs Natalie Johnson, Brewmaster *Tour lead Ryan Swank, Operations Katie Petru, Manager, Communications 9:45 AM A-B employees enter Town Hall venue and Matt Simeon briefs speakers Speakers include: Jay Timmons, President and CEO, National Association of Manufacturers Ohio House Speaker Cliff Rosenberger (R) Doug Bailey, Vice President of Industry Affairs, Anheuser-Busch Eric Burkland, President, Ohio Manufacturers Association *Moderator Natalie Johnson, Senior Brewmaster, Anheuser-Busch *Introduction & Facility Tour Lead 9:58 AM Speakers enter event space 10:00 AM 2017 State of Manufacturing Tour Video Plays 10:02 AM Natalie Johnson delivers welcome, introduction of moderator & panelists from podium 10:04 AM Eric Burkland begins moderating event 8-10 pre-approved questions will be asked of the panel before opening the floor to A-B employees’ questions 10:58 AMJay Timmons steps to the podium to deliver brief thank you remarks to Anheuser-Busch and guests 11:00 AM Town Hall concludes 11:01 AM Speakers informally meet gathered A-B employees 11:10 AM HOLD for individual press interviews in a side room 11:20 AM Anheuser-Busch facility tour for speakers, VIPs, press, NAM team 12:30 PM Tour concludes and NAM team departs A-B 1:00 PMArrive at Worthington Industries 1:05 PMNAM team meets with Cathy Lyttle and Rick Jones 1:10 PMNAM team and Worthington Industries staff participate in a working lunch NAM’s Martha Sprague conducts Facebook Live interviews of Worthington Industries employee(s) 1:40 PMWorthington Industries staff lead NAM staff on facility tour, product demonstrations, and opportunity to meet employees 2:40 PMFacility tour and demonstrations conclude 2:45 PMNAM staff departs KCMH 4130 East 5th Avenue, Columbus, OH 43219 3:15 PMArrive at KCMH 4:00 PMDepart for KPIT Tail number N573PT 4:48 PMArrive at KPIT (Ground transportation will be waiting) 300 Horizon Drive, Moon Township, PA 15108 5:10 PMDepart for The Westin Convention Center 1000 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15222 5:40 PMArrive at The Westin Convention Center 6:50 PMMeet in hotel lobby to walk to dinner at Ten Penny 1150 Smallman Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15222 7:00 PMDinner at Ten Penny Reservation is under Jay Timmons Participants include: Jay Timmons Jamie Hennigan Adria Brockman Chrys Kefalas David Bohrer Jennifer Drogus Martha Sprague Mark Isaacson Ben Jenkins 8:30 PMDepart for The Westin Convention Center Tuesday, February 28 7:15 AMMeet in the hotel lobby Adria Brockman, Jerry Hodge, Matt Simeon lead briefing for Jay Timmons 7:50 AMNAM team departs for Covestro 1 Covestro Circle, Pittsburgh, PA 15205 8:25 AM NAM Team arrives at Covestro With an eye on innovation, Covestro is continually helping to achieve the impossible with its high quality materials. In late July 2016, the company was part of aviation history as Solar Impulse 2 (Si2)—an airplane powered solely by the sun—completed its historic journey as the first plane to fly around-the-world without using a drop of fuel. Si2 was designed with several crucial materials from Covestro that helped make the impossible possible. With the wingspan of a large airliner, Si2 is extremely lightweight—only weighing as much as a compact car. Solar cells span 72 meters on the wings to power the propellers and charge the batteries—enabling the plane to fly without using any fuel. 8:30 AM NAM team meets with Jerry MacCleary and Pennsylvania House Speaker Mike Turzai 8:35 AM Program begins *Introductions by Jerry MacCleary followed by remarks from Jay Timmons and Speaker Turzai. Employees will be allowed to ask questions to speakers. *Closed Press 9:30 AM Program concludes - NAM team and Speaker Turzai participate in a facility tour 10:10 AM Tour concludes 10:15 AMNAM team departs for Greater Pittsburgh Chamber of Commerce 11 Stanwix Street, Lobby Auditorium, Pittsburgh, PA 15222 10:40 AM NAM team arrives at the Greater Pittsburgh Chamber of Commerce (GPCC) and Matt Simeon escorts group to the Youghiogheny River Room on the 17th floor. 10:45 AM Matt Simeon briefs speakers Youghiogheny River Room on the 17th floor Speakers include: Jay Timmons, President and CEO, NAM David Barensfeld, Chairman, President, and CEO, Ellwood Group David Ruppersberger, President, Pittsburgh Regional Alliance Bill Carteaux, President and CEO, Plastics Industry Association David Taylor, President, Pennsylvania Manufacturers Association Dennis Yablonsky, CEO, Allegheny Conference 10:55 AMSpeakers eat lunch in Youghiogheny River Room 11:12 AM Speakers enter room and take seats at the front 11:15 AMState of Manufacturing Tour video plays 11:17 AMDennis Yablonsky delivers welcome and introductions 11:21 AMJay Timmons steps to podium and delivers opening remarks 11:30 AMJay Timmons concludes remarks and David Taylor steps to podium to begin moderating panel 12:30 PMPanel discussion concludes 12:33 PMMedia availability for speakers Location pending 12:43 PMMedia availability concludes 12:48 PMJay Timmons and David Taylor participate in an interview for “PMA Perspective” Youghiogheny Room, 17th Floor 1:03 PM“PMA Perspective” interview concludes 1:10 PMNAM staff departs for Edward Marc Brands Inc. Headquarters 55 38th Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15201 1:30 PMArrive at Edward Marc Brands Inc. HQ 1:33 PMNAM staff meets with Edward Marc Brands staff Participants include: Chris Edwards, CEO Albert Fonticiella, Vice President of Development Jenny Osterman, Communications Manager 1:38 PMChris Edwards leads the NAM staff on a tour of the innovation lab (food scientists/R&D), the distribution facility, and the tank farm. This will include an informal presentation/discussion on what it’s like to be a small-medium size manufacturer. 2:38 PMHQ visit concludes and group departs for The Milkshake Factory 314 5th Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15203 2:55 PM Chris Edwards leads a tour of The Milk Shake Factory for the NAM 3:30 PMTour concludes and NAM staff departs for KPIT 300 Horizon Drive, Moon Township, PA 15108 4:05 PMArrive at KPIT 4:35 PMDepart for KMSN 3606 Corben Court, Madison, WI 53704 Tail number N573PT 6:10 PM CTArrive at KMSN (Ground transportation will be waiting) 6:20 PMJay Timmons departs for dinner with Kurt Bauer, Wisconsin Manufacturers Association, and Bob Kamphius, Chairman of the Wisconsin Manufacturers Association and CEO of Mayville Engineering Company, Inc. Madison Club 5 E Wilson Street, Madison, WI 53703 Black car service 6:20 PMNAM staff departs for Sheraton Madison Hotel 706 John Nolen Drive, Madison, WI 53713 6:30 PMJay Timmons arrives at dinner 6:45 PMArrive at the Sheraton Madison Hotel 7:25 PMNAM staff meets at Heartland Grill for dinner Located on the 1st floor of the hotel 7:50 PMJay Timmons departs the Madison Club for the Sheraton Madison Hotel 8:00 PMJay Timmons arrives at the Sheraton Madison Hotel Wednesday, March 1 – All Times Are Central Time (CT) unless noted 9:15 AMMeet in the Heartland Grill for breakfast & morning briefing Located on the 1st floor of the hotel Jeff Pierce, Bill Gill, Jamie Hennigan, Matt Simeon lead briefing for Jay Timmons 10:10 AMBreakfast ends and NAM staff departs for Wisconsin State Journal Editorial Board Meeting 1901 Fish Hatchery Road, Madison, WI 53713 10:20 AMArrive at the Wisconsin State Journal 10:30 AMJay Timmons participates in Editorial Board Meeting 11:15 AMEditorial Board Meeting concludes 11:20 AMDepart for Sheraton Madison Hotel 11:30 AMArrive at Sheraton Madison Hotel 1:30 PMDepart for Business Day in Madison Monona Terrace Community & Convention Center 1 John Nolen Drive, Madison, WI 53703 2:45 PMJay Timmons delivers introduction for Gov. Scott Walker 15 minutes on the future of manufacturing in America 3:00 PMGov. Walker delivers keynote remarks 3:30 PMEvent concludes and NAM staff departs for meeting with Kevin St. John at Merchant 121 S. Pinckney Street, Madison, WI, 53703 3:33 PMArrive at Merchant 4:30 PMMeeting concludes and NAM staff departs for KMSN 4:40 PMArrive at KMSN 3606 Corben Court, Madison, WI 53704 5:20 PMDepart for Scottsdale, AZ Dinner served in-flight Tail number N573PT 7:30 PM MTArrive in Scottsdale, AZ 15290 N 78th Way, Scottsdale, AZ 85260

The S&P Global Flash U.S. Manufacturing PMI rose slightly from 49.4 in December to 50.1 in January, signaling nominal growth in manufacturing after six months of contraction. Both factory production and new orders increased for the first time in six months. Employment also rose for the third month in a row, and the rate of job creation is the highest since July. Supplier delivery times lengthened, indicating busier supply chains, but this was offset by the greatest drop in inventories in 17 months.

The improvement in sentiment was notable in the manufacturing sector, soaring to the highest reading since May 2022, adding to suggestions that activity may improve further in the coming months. Respondents cited a more business-friendly new administration in terms of looser regulation and lower taxes as beneficial to the outlook. On the other hand, others cited concern over tariffs, a strong dollar and higher prices.

News