Manufacturing Organizations Urge Federal Support for New Industrial Strategy

Managing Automation (9/10, Brousell) – "A group of manufacturing organizations led by Rockwell Automation today called on the federal government to dramatically increase funding for research and development, help develop a plan for green manufacturing, and enact changes in tax law to encourage automation and modernization of U.S. factories." In addition to Rockwell, the group "consisted of the Manufacturing Institute...as well as the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy." Keith Nosbusch, chairman and chief executive of Rockwell Automation, "called for a 'new U.S. industrial strategy for competitiveness.'" Emily DeRocco, president of the Manufacturing Institute, said, U.S industry is in a battle not just with [countries] with lower costs, but also with developed countries. Competing on cost is a losing battle. We must differentiate through innovation, and government must support these efforts." Hat tip: NAM

Rockwell Automation (9/9) – While billions of federal dollars are going toward retooling the auto industry, little has been earmarked to provide a “greenprint” to stimulate the same kind of transformation toward smart, safe and sustainable manufacturing, speakers said.They recommended these federal actions:
- Ensure legislative priorities are in line with those of manufacturers and the general public.
- Double federal funding for manufacturing innovation.
- Establish a $2 billion public-private partnership program to research and develop a manufacturing “greenprint” for smart, safe and sustainable manufacturing.
- Provide federal assistance for public-private partnerships to create demonstration projects that foster manufacturing innovation.
- Expand federal tax credits to apply to investments in advanced technologies that automate and modernize factories.