Wanted: A New Strategy for U.S. Manufacturers

Business Journal of Milwaukee (10/9, Rovito) – Milwaukee-area industry leaders [say] a defined manufacturing policy is needed, as are federal funds to support research and development, to breathe life back into the country’s manufacturing sector…The federal government needs to invest more in manufacturing innovation, product research and development, and employee development, Klonsinski [Wisconsin MEP] said. A federal strategy and support is critical if American manufacturers are to thrive in the post-recession global economy, said Keith Nosbusch, chairman and chief executive officer at Milwaukee-based Rockwell Automation Inc…“Up until 1990, federal support for applied research, which is most critical for manufacturing, was equal to federal funding for basic science,” Nosbusch said. “But today, it’s about 30 percent lower with nearly a $10 billion gap that needs to be remedied.” Congress needs to expand federal tax credits to apply to investments in “smart, safe and more sustainable” manufacturing technologies, he said.