Workforce

Jacksonville, IL – On Friday, the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM), the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association and Eli Bridge Company hosted Rep. Darin LaHood (IL-18) for a facility tour to discuss the need to fill the high-skilled jobs required for modern manufacturing, which is critical to Illinois’ economic prosperity.

Manufacturers appreciate Rep. LaHood’s commitment to building the modern manufacturing workforce and expanding opportunities for American workers, said NAM President and CEO Jay Timmons. Eli Bridge Company, like manufacturers across this country, face an urgent need for trained, talented workers, a need that will only grow in the coming years. Right now, manufacturers have some 482,000 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. LaHood’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. LaHood had the opportunity to see firsthand the types of high-skilled jobs required to run Eli Bridge Company machinery and equipment.

While meeting with employers across central Illinois, I consistently hear about the need for more skilled workers in all areas of our economy, whether it’s nursing, welding or truck driving, said Rep. LaHood. As our economy grows, this demand will only continue, and I look forward to working with community colleges, high schools, and trade unions on policies that will promote career technical education programs and apprenticeships that will give people the skills needed to succeed in today’s economy.

Company leaders thanked Rep. LaHood for his commitment to helping build the high-skilled workforce to fill modern manufacturing jobs.

We thank Congressman LaHood for his vote on tax reform and his continued support of workforce development, said Patty Sullivan, president and CEO of Eli Bridge Company. At Eli Bridge Company, we are about to celebrate 100 years in Jacksonville, Illinois, and fervently need the next generation of shop floor workers. For example, we could expand our employee base by 30 percent if we could find qualified workers, from welders to engineers, in the area.

Darin LaHood is a champion for Illinois manufacturing, said Mark Denzler, vice president and chief operating officer of the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association. With tax reform and regulatory reform that is reducing costly and cumbersome regulations, the manufacturing sector is humming and leading America’s resurgence. However, we need to make sure that we have a strong education and workforce development system, and Darin is leading the effort to make sure that manufacturers have a pipeline of qualified workers to fill these jobs.

Manufacturing contributes an estimated $2.25 trillion to the U.S. economy and supports 571,800 jobs in Illinois 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.

Mount Olive, NC – Today,the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) and Mt. Olive Pickle Company hosted Rep. David Rouzer (NC-7) for a facility tour and workforce development roundtable to discuss the need to fill the high-skilled jobs required for modern manufacturing, which is critical to North Carolina’s economic prosperity.

Manufacturers appreciate Rep. Rouzer’s commitment to building the modern manufacturing workforce and expanding opportunities for American workers, said NAM President and CEO Jay Timmons. Mt. Olive Pickle Company, like manufacturers across this country, face an urgent need for trained, talented workers, a need that will only grow in the coming years. Right now, manufacturers have some 482,000 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. Rouzer’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, Rouzer had the opportunity to see firsthand the types of high-skilled jobs required to run Mt. Olive Pickle Company’s machinery and equipment.

As many in Wayne County know, Mt. Olive Pickle Company is critical to our local economy—employing approximately 500 folks in and around the area. It was an honor to visit the Mt. Olive facility, meet with employees and discuss the issues that matter most to them, said Rouzer. One of the main themes I keep hearing throughout the 7th District is the success our businesses and families have been experiencing as a result of tax cuts and tax reform. For far too long, individuals, families and businesses were burdened by an outdated and unfair tax code that was a drag on our economy and penalized hard-work. Lower taxes and a simpler tax code that rewards investment and hard work—along with the repeal of unnecessary and burdensome regulations—have created the conditions for a much stronger economy unleashing the talent and ingenuity of the American workforce. I look forward to Mt. Olive’s continued success and contributions to our citizens, economy and country.

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

We have experienced significant growth in recent years, and that has generated a critical demand for dependable, skilled machine operators, maintenance technicians and general production employees, as well as those with capabilities in food science and other technical areas, said Mt. Olive Pickle Company Executive Chairman Bill Bryan. Our ability to continue to meet the demands of an increasingly sophisticated marketplace relies on having the right people in the right places within our organization.

Manufacturing contributes an estimated $2.25 trillion to the U.S. economy and supports 460,200 jobs in North Carolina 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.

Mt. Airy, NC – Today,the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) and Altec Inc. hosted Rep. Virginia Foxx (NC-5) for a facility tour and workforce development roundtable to discuss the need to fill the high-skilled jobs required for modern manufacturing, which is critical to North Carolina’s economic prosperity.

Manufacturers appreciate Rep. Foxx’s commitment to building the modern manufacturing workforce and expanding opportunities for American workers, said NAM President and CEO Jay Timmons. Altec, like manufacturers across this country, 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. Foxx’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. Foxx had the opportunity to see firsthand the types of high-skilled jobs required to run Altec’s machinery and equipment.

Manufacturing is at the heart of the 5th District’s economy,” said Rep. Foxx. As the district’s economy continues to evolve from historically manufactured products to cutting-edge innovations in areas such as telecommunications, I will continue to support policies that allow manufacturing to thrive. Altec’s products and services enable workers to do what Americans do best—get the job done. Manufacturers like Altec contribute $100 billion to North Carolina’s economy and employ over 460,000 residents of our state, and I look forward to supporting enterprises like Altec as we continue to put Americans back to work.

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

We appreciate the strong support we receive from Rep. Foxx, said Altec Chairman and CEO Lee Styslinger III. She has always recognized the importance of manufacturing in helping to generate economic growth—both in the U.S. as well as in her district. In addition, I commend Rep. Foxx for her outstanding leadership in the areas of education and workforce development. Her experience in education reform and her innovative ideas related to the changing nature of work are helping to develop important initiatives that will generate job growth for U.S. workers and help U.S. businesses meet the workforce challenges of the 21st century.

Manufacturing contributes an estimated $2.25 trillion to the U.S. economy and supports 460,200 jobs in North Carolina 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.

By: Manufacturing Institute Executive Director Carolyn Lee

“According to a new jobs report released Friday morning, manufacturers in America added 37,000 jobs last month. It’s yet another sign that the manufacturing sector is growing and creating jobs, thanks to boosts from federal tax and regulatory reform, but it’s also a reminder that manufacturing is facing an industry crisis.

“The latest National Association of Manufacturers’ (NAM) Manufacturers’ Outlook Survey showed a record-breaking 95 percent of manufacturers expressing optimism about the future and reporting an all-time high for the expected rate of manufacturing job growth.

“But the very same survey also found 77 percent of manufacturers expressing serious concerns about their ability to find enough skilled workers to fill all those open jobs. While this isn’t a new issue — manufacturers have cited it as a major concern for a long time — today it has reached crisis levels, and recent soaring job growth is only compounding the challenge.

“There are now more than 441,000 open jobs in manufacturing. By 2025, it’s projected that manufacturers will need to fill more than 3 million. Manufacturers in America might as well just have a permanent sign on their doors: ‘Creators Wanted’ …

“Combatting this perception challenge and the associated workforce crisis is something that the organization I lead—the NAM’s Manufacturing Institute, which is dedicated to furthering manufacturing competitiveness—is laser-focused on addressing …

“I was proud to join President Trump, Ivanka Trump and key workforce leaders at the White House in July as the president announced a new—and necessary—national workforce strategy that, in line with manufacturers’ priorities, is focused on apprenticeships and training to prepare more workers for the technology-intensive jobs of the future.

“The White House’s priorities are in the right place and complement the many workforce initiatives already underway at The Manufacturing Institute and at manufacturers and allied organizations across the country. Similarly, the president’s “Pledge to America’s Workers” is a welcome campaign to spur more training commitments across America.”

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The Manufacturing Institute (the Institute) is the 501(c)(3) affiliate of the National Association of Manufacturers. As a non-partisan organization, the Institute is committed to delivering leading-edge information and services to the nation’s manufacturers. The Institute is the authority on the attraction, qualification and development of world-class manufacturing talent. For more information, please visit www.themanufacturinginstitute.org.

Washington, D.C. – National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) President and CEO Jay Timmons released the following statement after the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 2353, the Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act, which reauthorizes the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education (CTE) Act:

This bipartisan legislation empowers a new generation of American workers to improve their lives with high-tech, high-paying jobs in modern manufacturing, said Timmons. Tax reform and regulatory relief have powered tremendous manufacturing growth, but to fill the jobs manufacturers are creating, we need more workers with the right skills. Our research shows there will be as many as 2 million unfilled manufacturing jobs by 2025 if we don’t take additional steps to upskill our workforce, which is why the NAM has worked so hard to get this bill to the finish line.

Today’s vote sending Perkins CTE reauthorization to President Trump’s desk is a major step toward closing the skills gap and addressing this challenge. But the work does not stop here. Manufacturers are encouraged to have partners in the White House like the president and Ivanka Trump who are laser-focused on worker training and have proposed bold solutions and a national workforce strategy.

The NAM has been a key supporter of Perkins CTE reauthorization. The NAM earlier this year urged the Senate HELP Committee to advance reauthorization legislation and organized a coalition of nearly 500 business and education groups in support of the program. In addition, NAM members highlighted the need to reauthorize Perkins CTE at multiple hearings before Congress.

In the NAM’s latest quarterly outlook survey, manufacturers cited attracting and retaining a quality workforce as their number-one concern.

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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.

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.

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Timmons On Record Manufacturer Optimism Following Tax Reform

We’ve been working for 30 years to enact comprehensive tax reform and regulatory relief. We got that done and now seeing the results from it. So, as you said, a 20-year high in our quarterly survey … [A]nd in exchange, we promised that we would hire new workers. We would invest in plants and equipment here in the United States and raise wages and benefits. We’re seeing the results of that. In fact, 86 percent of our members say that they will invest in new plants and equipment, 77 percent say they are hiring new employees and 72 percent say they’re raising wages and benefits. We have to keep our word to the American people or else this exercise was for not.

Timmons On Tax Reform’s Critics

I get that there are skeptics out there, and I think it’s healthy in a democracy to question the policies that are enacted. But I can tell you this: manufacturers are going to deliver. In the last six months, we created 115,000 new jobs. That is double what it was over the course of the last year. All I can say is watch us work.

Yesterday, the NAM released the results of the Manufacturers’ Outlook Survey for the second quarter of 2018, which showed 95.1 percent of manufacturers have a positive outlook for their companies—an all-time record in the survey’s 20-year history—following enactment of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.

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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.

Washington, D.C. – TheNational Association of Manufacturers (NAM) today released the results of the Manufacturers’ Outlook Survey for the second quarter of 2018, which shows that 95.1 percent of manufacturers have a positive outlook for their companies—an all-time record in the survey’s 20-year history—following enactment of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.

The release of the survey results coincided with the six-month anniversary of tax reform, and follows a May survey that shows manufacturers are increasing wages, hiring, and capital investments in the wake of tax reform. Highlights from the Q2 survey include:

• Optimism among manufacturers registered its highest level ever recorded (95.1 percent) in the 20-year history of the survey;
• Optimism among medium-sized manufacturers registered its highest level ever recorded (95.8 percent) in the 20-year history of the survey;
• All-time highs for projected employment growth and capital spending;
• Projected wage growth registered its fastest pace in 17 years; and
• Projected sales growth kept pace at its second-highest reading in survey history.

This record optimism is no accident. It is fueled by the game-changing tax reform passed six months ago, said NAM President and CEO Jay Timmons. Last year, manufacturers promised that we would deliver for our people and our communities if tax reform became law. Congress and the president delivered, and now manufacturers are keeping our promise: hiring new workers, raising wages, improving benefits, buying equipment and expanding right here in the United States. And the best part is, with manufacturers’ record-setting confidence and plans to keep hiring and growing, more good news is yet to come.

This afternoon, NAM President and CEO Jay Timmons will join congressional leadership in the U.S. Capitol for an event highlighting the survey results and marking the six-month anniversary of the enactment of tax reform. In addition, the NAM will deliver pocket cards with the new survey results to every member of the House and Senate.

Conducted by NAM Chief Economist Chad Moutray, the Manufacturers’ Outlook Survey has surveyed the association’s membership of 14,000 large and small manufacturers on a quarterly basis for the past 20 years to gain insight into their economic outlook, hiring and investment decisions and business concerns.

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 (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.

Washington, D.C. – A new survey from the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) shows that manufacturers are keeping their promise after passage of the historic tax reform legislation by boosting wages, hiring and investment. The survey, to be released today by Emerson Chairman and CEO and NAM Board Chair David Farr during a House Ways and Means Committee hearing, shows 72 percent of manufacturers are increasing employee wages or benefits, 77 percent are hiring more workers and 86 percent are investing in new equipment and facilities. Last month, the NAM’s Manufacturers’ Outlook Survey found optimism among manufacturers registered the second-highest level ever recorded (93.5 percent) in the 20-year history of the survey.

Almost exactly one year ago, I appeared before Congress to make the case for tax reform that would make America fiercely competitive. Congress and the president kept their promise and delivered. Now, it’s our time to keep our promises and deliver—and we are, said Farr. Manufacturing in America is now rising to new heights, thanks to tax reform, and as a result, manufacturers of all sizes are already investing more, growing more, hiring more and paying more. They are already improving lives and livelihoods. And, as the survey results I’m releasing today show, we manufacturers are just getting started.

At 10:00 a.m. EDT this morning, Farr will review the survey results during his testimony at a House Ways and Means Committee hearing focused on the impact of tax reform on the U.S. economy, job creators and workers.

Manufacturers were a leading advocate for the historic tax cut legislation signed into law by President Trump, saying they would hire more, invest more and compensate their workers more if the legislation was passed. In the spirit of that commitment, the NAM recently launched the “Keeping Our Promise” campaign—a new series of original stories from manufacturers about how they are utilizing the new tax law to benefit their businesses and workers. You can learn more about the survey and the “Keeping Our Promise” campaign here.

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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.