Press Releases

Jackson, TN – The National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) and Stanley Black & Decker on Friday hosted Rep. David Kustoff (TN-8) for a facility tour and business leader roundtable to discuss the need to fill the high-skilled jobs required for modern manufacturing, which is critical to Tennessee’s economic prosperity.

Manufacturers appreciate Rep. Kustoff’s commitment to building the modern manufacturing workforce and expanding opportunities for American workers, said NAM President and CEO Jay Timmons. Stanley Black & Decker, like manufacturers across this country, know that manufacturers face an urgent need for trained, talented workers, a need that will only grow in the coming years. Right now, manufacturers have some 441,000 jobs to fill—jobs that are rewarding and high-paying and help families build brighter futures. By 2025, as many as 2 million manufacturing jobs could go unfilled, according to a study by Deloitte and the NAM’s Manufacturing Institute. So, we need all elected leaders engaged, and we’re grateful for Rep. Kustoff’s leadership on this issue as well as other manufacturing issues like tax reform and regulatory relief, which have also empowered manufacturing workers.

During the facility tour, Rep. Kustoff had the opportunity to see first-hand the types of high-skilled jobs required to run Stanley Black & Decker’s machinery and equipment.

Manufacturing plays a huge role in Tennessee’s economy, said Rep. Kustoff. This industry not only employs more than 340,000 Tennesseans, but also invests heavily in the success of those they employ to create and sustain a top-notch, 21st-century workforce. Stanley Black & Decker right here in Jackson is a perfect example of a company that is invested in its people and committed to being at the forefront of innovation.

During a roundtable discussion, company leaders thanked Rep. Kustoff for his commitment to helping build the high-skilled workforce to fill modern manufacturing jobs.

As the pace of technological change continues to accelerate, we know the skills required for manufacturing workers is evolving, said Joe Voelker, chief human resources officer for Stanley Black & Decker. At Stanley Black & Decker, we are committed to providing our own employees and individuals around the world with the training, education and opportunity to thrive. Jackson, Tennessee is a great example of that effort in action. The facility is one of our ‘Lighthouse Factories’ where we are implementing Industry 4.0, from manufacturing execution systems, to 3-D printing, virtual reality, robotics and artificial intelligence. It’s an exciting and rewarding time to work in manufacturing.

Manufacturing contributes an estimated $2.25 trillion to the U.S. economy and supports 341,500 jobs in Tennessee alone, according to the NAM.

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The National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) 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 more than 12 million men and women, contributes $2.25 trillion to the U.S. economy annually, has the largest economic impact of any major sector and accounts for more than three-quarters 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 Manufacturers or to follow us on Shopfloor, Twitter and Facebook, please visit www.nam.org.