Input Stories

Blake Moret has big plans for his tenure as NAM Board Chair (Milwaukee Business Journal, subscription).

What’s going on: The Rockwell Automation Chairman and CEO “looks forward to chairing the National Association of Manufacturers during a period of economic uncertainty and rapidly changing technology—most notably artificial intelligence.”

• Moret, who recently confirmed that Rockwell’s new approximately 1-million-square-fooot plant will be built in New Berlin, Wisconsin, took on the role at the NAM because of his strong belief in the importance of manufacturing.
• “[M]anufacturing is at the absolute core of the American economy,” he told the Milwaukee Business Journal. “It’s important that it’s successful.”

Permitting reform: One of the NAM’s top advocacy issues is permitting reform—and getting it done is a passion Moret shares.

• “Streamlining permitting and making sure that the regulations are necessary, that they don’t add unnecessary delays in new investment. … There is certainly permitting with respect to the environment that is absolutely needed. But there’s also a lot of streamlining and efficiencies that can be introduced to get these new projects done.”

Overcoming challenges: Moret said, “A chief hurdle for manufacturing in the U.S. today is the uncertainty surrounding tariffs and the workforce shortage.” But he has recommendations.

• “A stable environment [on tariffs] would unleash more spending,” Moret said.
• On the labor pool: “Rockwell has the Academy of Advanced Manufacturing for training returning veterans for technician-level jobs. The NAM has a similar program,” he said, referring to the Federation for Advanced Manufacturing Education (FAME), a program founded in 2010 by Toyota and now run by the NAM’s 501(c)3 workforce development and education affiliate, the Manufacturing Institute.
• “First, attract new entrants to fill jobs but also have the capabilities to interact with the technology. That’s really the winning hand,” Moret advised.

AI moves: Moret is a big believer in the importance of artificial intelligence, and Rockwell is making AI investments in its facilities worldwide. What’s next?

• “[E]ducating policymakers is really important,” he told the Journal. Those “who are considering existing and proposed rules need to understand how AI can be used. Also, understanding what the risks are—there is obvious risk to workforce disruption and cybersecurity. The bad guys use AI as well as the good guys. Just being able to present that from a manufacturer’s point of view will be an important role.”