NAM recognizes 115th Congress Manufacturing Legislative Excellence honoreesEach year, the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) recognizes U.S. legislators for their commitment to the manufacturing community. The Manufacturing Legislative Excellence Award is given to those lawmakers who score above 70 percent on NAM Key Manufacturing Votes. This year, Arizona congresswoman and current U.S. Senate candidate, Martha McSally, was recognized with the award, scoring a 96 percent. Arizona is proud to have champions of manufacturing advocating for sound, advantageous policies at the federal level. Other Arizona lawmakers receiving the recognition include Senator Jeff Flake and Representatives Paul Gosar, Andy Biggs and David Schweikert. Find the full list of U.S. Senate awardees here, and the full list of U.S. House awardees here. Arizona Manufacturer of the Year Awards: 2018 WinnersEach year, the Arizona Manufacturers Council recognizes creators and innovators of all sizes and industries. This year’s award recipients represent the very best of the Arizona manufacturing community, and exemplify how manufacturing betters its communities and betters the state. Congratulations to the 2018 Manufacturers of the Year! Outstanding Large Manufacturer of the Year: The Boeing Company Outstanding Medium Manufacturer of the Year: TYR Tactical Outstanding Small Manufacturer of the Year: Novembal Excellence in Innovation: Moldworx Excellence in Sustainability: Intel Presentations from the 2018 Environmental & Sustainability Summit Each August the Arizona Manufacturers Council, together with longstanding member Snell & Wilmer, convene leaders in industry and environmental policy for a robust two day conference in beautiful Prescott, Arizona. If you missed this year’s conference, we’ve made available this year’s presentations and agenda, and we hope you’ll join us next year. Special thanks to each of our event sponsors, presenters, contributors, and attendees.
40 Products Made in Arizona Look at all of the innovative products coming from Arizona! While it’s still important, cotton doesn’t even make the cut in 2018. Read this article to learn more about the latest trends in Arizona manufacturing. 40 Products made in Arizona (AZ Big Media) Manufacturing Summit and Awards Luncheon | 2018 Date: Friday, October 5, 2018 Location: Renaissance Phoenix Downtown | 100 N 1ST ST | Phoenix AZ 85004 Complete schedule of Manufacturing Month tours, Summit speakers, Luncheon keynotes, agendas and more coming soon! AWARD NOMINATIONS
Excellence in Innovation | Excellence in Sustainability
Outstanding Small/Medium Manufacturer
Manufacturer of the Year (Large)
— Gold Sponsorship | $3,000 Silver Sponsorship | $1,500 Table Sponsorship | $950 Individual | $95 Member, $120 Non-Member Individual (Luncheon Only) | $65 Member, $80 Non-Member Environmental and Sustainability Summit | 2018 Date: August 20-22, 2018 Location: Prescott Resort & Conference Center | 1500 AZ-69 | Prescott AZ 86301 MONDAY, AUGUST 20 | 10 AM – 4:30 PM Elections Preview • Enforcement Panel • EPA Region IX Update • Lunch & Networking • Water and Energy Panels • Legislative Overview | 5 PM Reception hosted by the Arizona Manufacturers Council TUESDAY, AUGUST 21 | 8 AM – 3:15 PM Breakfast • Energy Panel • ADEQ Presentation • EPA Keynote • Lunch & Networking • Sustainability Panel | Reception hosted by Snell & Wilmer and Haley & Aldrich to follow WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 22 | 7:30 AM-3 PM Breakfast • Golf Tournament • Lunch & Prizes | Stone Ridge Golf Course • 1601 N. Bluff Top Drive• Prescott Valley, AZ 86314 Overnight Accommodations: (888) 657-7855 • Group G6845 The Cutting Edge – April 2018
Group of young professionals visits PING, learns about manufacturing, trade and the workforce in Arizona The Arizona Industry Fellows, a group of young professionals and future business and civic leaders, spent a day on-site at PING. The group heard from the Chair of the AMC and Workforce Arizona Council, and Corporate Counsel for Karsten Manufacturing Corp./PING, Dawn Grove about the unique environment for manufacturers in Arizona, the crucial role that the AMC plays in advocating for policies that benefit existing manufacturers and that help attract new manufacturers to the state, the challenges that exist with the workforce and ways to address those challenges. The group took a tour behind the scenes of PING’s Phoenix operation, and was joined by special guest, Congresswoman Martha McSally. The fellows saw first-hand the amount of hand work that takes place in PING’s facility, many of them in awe of the amount of human power and attention to detail at play on the manufacturing floor. PING employees welcomed the group and Congresswoman McSally, and spoke enthusiastically of the company’s custom-engineered, custom-fit and custom-built premium golf equipment and their culture that values and treats employees like family.  The fellows’ program for the rest of the day included discussions with some of the industry’s most well-known experts on topics including trade relationships and border efficiency, Arizona’s mining industry, career and technical education and workforce training at the community college level and navigating Arizona’s policy landscape as a small manufacturer and business owner. Follow the AMC on Facebook for more exclusive contentThe AMC is revamping its Facebook footprint. For updates from AMC Executive Director Allison Gilbreath, brief interviews with industry leaders and inside stories from AMC members, keep up with us on Facebook.
Watch ED Allison Gilbreath’s introduction video for a preview of what’s to come:
In the NewsAround the Nation:U.S.News: Adaptability to Volatile Industries Key to Rocky Mountain Economic Success State and local government officials across the country were sent scrambling back in 2013 when Boeing announced plans to significantly expand operations outside of its Puget Sound birthplace in Washington – potentially opening up new communities to the promise of high-paying jobs, larger tax revenues and more substantial economic development. So valuable was Boeing’s business to the state of Washington that a nearly $9 billion package of tax incentives was eventually passed by state lawmakers hopeful that they could convince the company to stick around and keep its business in the Evergreen State. That bid failed, however, and Boeing eventually announced plans to beef up operations in states such as California, South Carolina and, notably, Utah – a Rocky Mountain state known in part for its advanced manufacturing output in which Boeing for years had maintained a presence. Manufacturing Global: Attracting investors: tech in the manufacturing sector Sweeping changes in technology are disrupting nearly all sectors of the global market. In the home, the shop floor, the factory and the hospital, and even our daily commute, technology is leading to huge changes in commercial business models. Why should manufacturing be any different? This is the new industrial revolution — Industry 4.0 — and as with any rapid change, new opportunities have arisen and new ways of thinking have emerged. However, there are also new hurdles to overcome for businesses large and small. Bloomberg: Nafta or Not, Quebec Is Putting Millions Into Manufacturing The future of Canada’s trade relationship with the U.S. is in limbo but that didn’t stop Robert Belanger from investing C$3.6 million ($2.8 million) to upgrade his Quebec fabrics plant. New weaving machines and a state-of-the-art dying system are helping his company, Belt-Tech Inc., produce enough of the webbing used in seat belts and pull straps to meet a 30 percent surge in orders from the North American auto industry. Part of the financing came from Quebec’s government, which is pushing manufacturers to modernize their factories despite uncertainties surrounding renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement. Around the State:Arizona continues to be a haven for business and manufacturing Phoenix Business Journal: Commercial Real Estate: West Valley scoring with cheaper land, access back to California The timing is finally right for the West Valley and economic growth — at least from California businesses’ perspective. Patrick Feeney Jr., senior vice president with CBRE’s Phoenix office, said Southern California businesses have reached the point where gathering products in California ports, shipping them to Phoenix for warehousing and then shipping them back to California for consumers has become a more affordable option than just keeping the products in the Golden State. Phoenix Business Journal: California manufacturer moving production, jobs to Goodyear after $4M investment IAC Industries is moving its manufacturing operations to Goodyear from Southern California. Brea-based IAC makes furniture, work stations and fixtures for laboratories, industrial and other workplaces. IAC bought a 50,000-square-foot building at 3831 S. Bullard Ave. near Phoenix Goodyear Airport for $3 million from a real estate trust. AZ Big Media: Arizona becomes additive manufacturing (3-D printing) leader Polymer-based 3-D printing has been all the rage, well-known for faster prototyping or novelty items that can be made on the spot, but the world of 3-D printing is about to get a lot more metal. Many Arizona-based companies, particularly firms in the aerospace and defense industry, have been working night and day to bring metal 3-D printing, or additive manufacturing, parts to market while also gearing up to create a workforce of the future. Manufacturing Global: University of Arizona is developing holographic heads up display for vehicles The University of Arizona has been developing heads-up display technology to be used in road vehicles and planes. The technology allows for drivers and pilots to receive and read information, such as driving directions or flight data, whilst still looking through the transparent glass of the front window. Researchers at the university are currently working on incorporating holographics to the technology, which will allow the user a wider view. The Arizona Manufacturers Council is the voice of Arizona manufacturing. We are a community of makers dedicated to creating the innovations that safeguard and improve people’s lives and to providing the jobs that anchor Arizona’s economy. We are the official state affiliate of the National Association of Manufacturers and we aim to promote and enhance a positive business climate for manufacturing and related industries that operate within Arizona. The Cutting Edge – February 2018
NAFTA The end of January saw the sixth round of negotiations for the modernizations of NAFTA. The hope going into this round of talks, the longest yet, was that the players would finally tackle some of the more contentious issues that are far from resolved. Canada promised to enter the talks with new ideas for creative solutions while Mexico showed signs that it may be willing to compromise on some of its most important issues, such as automotive regulations within the deal. This sixth round of negotiations still fell short of reaching any landmark decisions or compromises. U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer said to reporters in Montreal, “[W]e finally began to discuss some of the core issues. So this round was a step forward, but we are progressing very slowly.” Members of all three delegations seemed to walk away with the same cautious optimism about the trajectory of future negotiations, all recognizing that there is progress in the right direction but that some of the biggest obstacles remain. NAFTA RoundupU.S. Turns Up the Hear in Pivotal New Phase of Nafta Talks Trade Experts Expect to See a ‘Zombie’ NAFTA Business Groups in US, Canada, Mexico Fear Breakup of Manufacturing Supply Chain without NAFTA U.S. rejects proposals to unblock NAFTA, will seek ‘breakthrough’ Listen in to hear NAM’s Linda Dempsey defend ISDS Tax Reform Since the Dec. 22nd signing of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, numerous American manufacturers have announced plans to share the benefits of tax reform with employees and reinvest additional savings into expansion and updated infrastructure. The manufacturing industry makes up a significant percentage of the myriad of companies participating in tax savings bonuses, wage increases, extended benefits, raised retirement contributions and increased capital expenditures. An estimated 3.5 million Americans will receive or have already received a tax reform bonus, primarily due to the lowered corporate rate and full expensing on short-lived capital investments introduced under the new legislation. The list of manufacturers and businesses taking advantage of this burgeoning investment opportunity is continually growing. These are just a few notable examples:
Tax RoundupU.S. economy to grow 2.7 percent in 2018, boosted by Trump tax overhaul Tax reform windfall: These companies are hiking pay, delivering bonuses Pfizer Plans $5 Billion Boost in U.S. Manufacturing From Tax Law Changes In the NewsAround the Nation:IndustryWeek: Has US Manufacturing Been Unleashed? “This legislation represents historic progress for manufacturers and for all Americans,” Jay Timmons, president and CEO of the National Association of Manufacturers, said in response to passage of the tax reform bill, which lowered the U.S. corporate tax rate from 35% to 21%. With the new bill, Timmons promised, manufacturers will “increase capital spending, expand their businesses and hire more workers…” — and “nearly half will increase employee wages and benefits.” Tax reform is just one of a series of policy changes the Trump administration and the Republican-led Congress are seeking that business groups have lobbied for in recent years. The president has already started to push back against regulations. Rutgers University: Faster, Cheaper, Nano-Based Manufacturing Engineers at Rutgers University-New Brunswick and Oregon State University are developing a new method of processing nanomaterials that could lead to faster and cheaper manufacturing of flexible thin film devices — from touch screens to window coatings, according to a new study. The “intense pulsed light sintering” method uses high-energy light over an area nearly 7,000 times larger than a laser to fuse nanomaterials in seconds. Nanomaterials are materials characterized by their tiny size, measured in nanometers. A nanometer is one millionth of a millimeter, or about 100,000 times smaller than the diameter of a human hair. WATCH: Why NAM CEO Timmons is Optimistic About Manufacturing Jobs WATCH: Fluor CEO Says ‘Regulatory Morass’ Is Impacting Infrastructure Around the State:AZCentral: Nikola Motor Co. to bring 2,000 jobs, $1 billion investment to Arizona A maker of zero-emissions commercial trucks said it will establish its manufacturing operations and move its headquarters to metro Phoenix, bringing 2,000 jobs here. Phoenix Business Journal: New life for a shuttered Surprise manufacturing plant A California company has bought a shuttered manufacturing building in Surprise and will expand its operations there. The property was bought by Z&E Holdings Group LLC an arm Global Trading Marketing Inc. for $4.5 million. AZCentral: Company wants to turn Fountain Hills into watchmaking capital of the United States Move over, Switzerland: Fountain Hills appears ready to become a new hub for watch manufacturing. The Arizona Manufacturers Council is the voice of Arizona manufacturing. We are a community of makers dedicated to creating the innovations that safeguard and improve people’s lives and to providing the jobs that anchor Arizona’s economy. We are the official state affiliate of the National Association of Manufacturers and we aim to promote and enhance a positive business climate for manufacturing and related industries that operate within Arizona. The Cutting Edge – November 2017
Former speaker optimistic about getting to ‘yes’ on tax reform During an event hosted by the Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Former Speaker John Boehner addressed tax reform and trade, two pivotal issues for Arizona manufacturers. Mr. Boehner expressed confidence in both a successful tax reform package as well as a revised NAFTA agreement. On tax reform, Mr. Boehner said the odds of it getting through are “frankly better than 50-50,” reiterating that Republicans know this is a must-do. As for NAFTA, Mr. Boehner admitted that the nearly 25 year old agreement needs some updating, and that the public may see what looks like a completely new document. Regardless of whether or not the document gets a new name, Mr. Boehner is sure that the trilateral agreement will endure despite any rhetoric to the contrary. The article below offers more details on the event and words from Mr. Boehner. AZCentral: John Boehner dishes on Trump, tax cuts and GOP ‘knuckleheads’ Manufacturers stand strong on tax reform Federal tax reform efforts continue in Washington and U.S. manufacturers have much at stake in the final policy. Jay Timmons, President and CEO of the National Association of Manufacturers, commended the House for its passage of the “Tax Cuts and Jobs Act,” stating that the House has shown its commitment to American manufacturing workers. NAM now looks to the Senate to move forward with the bold tax plan it has laid out. NAM summarizes their continued engagement in the article below, including the five main objectives they will continue working to realize on behalf of manufacturers:
THE HILL: A running start for NAM chief Manufacturers make clear what they need out of NAFTA With the future of NAFTA still unclear after four rounds of negotiations, manufacturers have spoken out about the gravity of preserving the trilateral relationship and modernizing the agreement. The National Association of Manufacturers stresses the importance of enforcing certain policies identified in NAFTA in the article below. Among the NAM’s top priorities are a functional investor-state dispute settlement system and a structure that encourages American manufacturers to invest at home and abroad. NAM: Why America and American Manufacturers Need a Pro-Investment and Pro-ISDS Enforcement Strategy In the NewsAround the Nation:Fox Business: Tax reform is the ‘single most important thing’ to grow economy, jobs: Boeing CEO Dennis Muilenburg President Donald Trump’s pro-business agenda has been welcome news for U.S. manufacturing icons like Boeing. The airplane manufacturing giant inked a $13.8 billion deal with Singapore Airlines recently that would create 70,000 jobs in the United States. U.S. News: Trump Announces Semiconductor Company’s Return to US WASHINGTON — A $100 billion semiconductor company based in Singapore will legally relocate its home address to the United States, President Donald Trump announced Thursday. Broadcom Limited, which manufactures communications chips around the world, said it would relocate its legal address to Delaware once shareholders approve the move, bringing $20 billion in annual revenue back to the U.S. The move will allow Broadcom to avoid a cumbersome federal review process. The Wall Street Journal: Forecasters Predict Nafta Withdrawal Would Slow U.S. Growth The probability of a U.S. withdrawal from the North American Free Trade Agreement is roughly 1 in 4, according to private-sector forecasters, who said such a move would likely weigh on economic growth. President Donald Trump has indicated he may pull the U.S. out of NAFTAif efforts to renegotiate it fail. The talks are set to resume Nov. 17 in Mexico City. Around the State:12 News: ASU students are using robots to solve problems from health to public safety MESA, ARIZ. – Arizona State’s Polytechnic Campus in Mesa is where students and professors are exploring the potential of robotics to help meet an array of challenges in the realms of health care, education, transportation, manufacturing, national defense, public safety, environmental health, communications, sustainable energy systems and earth and space exploration. Daily Miner: Manufacturing Day: KAMMA tours give students a look at factory work KINGMAN – Developing an educated and skilled workforce is a challenge for every rural community in Arizona, a tricky balance of providing high school graduates with specialized training and enticing them to stick around for meaningful employment. The Arizona Manufacturers Council is the voice of Arizona manufacturing. We are a community of makers dedicated to creating the innovations that safeguard and improve people’s lives and to providing the jobs that anchor Arizona’s economy. We are the official state affiliate of the National Association of Manufacturers and we aim to promote and enhance a positive business climate for manufacturing and related industries that operate within Arizona. Why manufacturers are optimistic
June 23, 2017 Energy and confidence defined the latest National Association of Manufacturers annual summit held earlier this week in Washington, D.C. The right mix of policy reforms and executive and legislative branch leadership has put optimism among manufacturers at a 20-year high. The Arizona Manufacturers Council, an entity of the Arizona Chamber of Commerce & Industry, serves as NAM’s state affiliate for Arizona. I attended the summit on the AMC’s behalf and came away more excited than ever about what’s in store for this sector. Manufacturing produces over $2 trillion in economic output and over 13 million jobs. In Arizona, we’re leaders in aerospace, defense and semiconductors. We also manufacture items ranging from golf clubs – PGA-tour-event-winning equipment by Karsten Manufacturing’s PING, for example – to the world’s best refrigerators from Sub-Zero and Wolf. The sector is defined by cutting-edge technology and innovation, and it’s growing in jobs and output. Summit speakers included Vice President Mike Pence and Speaker of the House Paul Ryan. Leadership at the highest levels is behind manufacturing now more than ever, a vital sector for economic growth. We need to convert this attention and energy into the passage of NAM’s legislative agenda. The four top legislative priorities highlighted at the summit: Tax reform. Speaker Ryan called this a once-in-a-generation opportunity. The vice president also stressed the importance of tax reform. The keys to this effort are to reduce the U.S. corporate tax rate – the world’s highest rack rate – to 15 percent, and to reduce the personal income tax rate, which applies to two-thirds of manufacturers as well. We need to move to a territorial tax system and eliminate the death tax that harms capital intensive family businesses. Maintaining and even enhancing the permanent research and development tax credit and reducing taxation on capital expenditures are also important for our efforts to accelerate innovation. Infrastructure investment. Manufacturers need a modern infrastructure to move goods efficiently from shop floor to market. Complex supply chains and just-in-time inventory management require no less. For Arizona, a key here is to build out Interstate 11, which would connect Las Vegas and Phoenix, the nation’s largest cities not currently connected by an interstate. Regulatory reform. This is an area where much progress is being made, and necessarily so. A 2014 NAM study pegged the cost of regulations for manufacturers at a whopping $19,564 per employee. Speaker Ryan spoke of implementing reforms in waves. The first wave was to use the Congressional Review Act to reverse regulations enacted at the end of the previous administration. This mechanism has been used now a record 14 times. Executive orders and other administration activity is also moving at a feverish pace to undo some of the overregulation of the past eight years. The reversal of the punitive gainful employment regulations for higher education is one example. The next wave is a two-out, one-in approach to any new regulations. It’s not a gimmick. NAM found in a 2016 study that manufacturers face 297,696 restrictions on their operations from federal regulations. If any sector could stand some regulatory relief, it’s manufacturing. More difficult, but also important, is to pass into law regulatory reform bills that require more robust cost-benefit analyses to justify their necessity. Workforce development. Skills, skills and skills. Both the vice president and speaker stressed this area. NAM is putting muscle behind legislation that would reauthorize and improve the Perkins Act, which covers career and technical education and vocational programs. There was also excitement at the summit about the president’s apprenticeship announcement, intended to create a new workforce development program that other countries have used successfully to prepare willing workers for available jobs. As we enter what some are calling the fourth industrial revolution, workforce readiness is critical. NAM’s work on international trade is also important. It has been a privilege to serve on NAM’s NAFTA Task Force led by Linda Dempsey, NAM’s vice president for international economic affairs. Linda is one of Washington’s most important players when it comes to the NAFTA modernization effort. NAM understands that a new and improved NAFTA is critical to our continent’s highly integrated manufacturing supply chains and our ability to sell products marked Made in the USA to the 95 percent of consumers who live beyond our borders. Let’s modernize and improve NAFTA and hold it up as a model for future trade agreements. The energetic NAM president and CEO, Jay Timmons, cheerfully told the summit crowd, “This is our time.” He’s right. Manufacturers have every reason to be excited. Sondra Radcliffe, Member at Large Associate General Counsel, Collins Aerospace Sondra Radcliffe is the Associate General Counsel for the Interiors business unit of Collins Aerospace. Collins Aerospace Systems is part of the aerospace portfolio of United Technologies Corporation (NYSE:UTX). Collins Aerospace Systems is one of the world’s largest suppliers of technologically advanced aerospace and defense products. Collins Aerospace designs, manufactures and services systems and components and provide integrated solutions for commercial, regional, business and military aircraft, helicopters and other platforms. Collins Aerospace Systems employs approximately 70,000 people worldwide with approximate annual sales of ~$23 billion. In her current role Sondra consults and advises on a wide range of business, compliance, and legal issues, and supports a broad portfolio of products including: aircraft seating, evacuation slides, life rafts, water systems, de-icing systems, aircraft veneers, and interior / exterior lighting systems. Prior to joining Collins Aerospace Sondra worked as a practicing attorney and an adjunct professor at the University of Phoenix’s School of Business teaching courses on Business Law. Sondra has also held various positions in finance and accounting, operations and supply chain, and sales and strategy throughout her career. Sondra’s global mindset, business agility, and experience in both business and law make her a valuable asset and business partner. Sondra has been recognized for her extraordinary legal skills and leadership at the Arizona Corporate Counsel Awards. She has also been honored as one of Twenty Women Who Rock by San Diego Metro Magazine. Sondra has been a featured speaker at the Society of Human Resource Management’s Law Day Conference and the Hoyle Cohen Executive Women’s Forum. She has also been highlighted in The Daily Transcript’s Annual Law Week publication for her work in employment law and has published multiple articles in various legal publications and journals. Most recently, Sondra was hand-picked (a total of 64 women among Collins Aerospace and Pratt & Whitney were selected) for a one-year development program intended to accelerate the growth and advancement of women in line leadership roles. The initiative, WILL RISE, is aimed at building, supporting and developing women with the ultimate goal of increasing the number of women thriving in executive P&L positions across Collins Aerospace and Pratt & Whitney. Sondra received her undergraduate degree from the University of San Diego in 2001, her law degree from the University of San Diego School of Law in 2007, and a Masters in Business Administration from the University of San Diego in 2016. Sondra attended the University of Virginia, Darden School of Business’ Executive Leadership program in Singapore in 2017. Providing a strong voice to the manufacturing industry.AMC LeadershipNational Association of Manufacturers visits Arizona, hosts lineup of manufacturing and policy leadersSpirits were high last week as manufacturing executives gathered in Scottsdale for the National Association of Manufacturers Spring Board of Directors meeting. The largest manufacturing association in the United States, NAM represents small and large manufacturers in every industrial sector and in all 50 states. The Arizona Manufacturers Council (AMC) is the official state affiliate of NAM. The guest list included a star-studded collection of world leaders, celebrity speakers and top executives from iconic American manufacturing companies like PING, Ball Corp., Anheuser-Busch and others. Vice President Mike Pence, Arizona Governor Doug Ducey, former U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Nikki Haley, SBA Administrator and WWE co-founder Linda McMahon, and economist and author of “Trumponomics,” Stephen Moore, were among the featured speakers. OPTIMISM HIGH Consistent themes throughout the event emerged around the positive economic effects of NAM-driven policies like federal tax cuts and regulatory reform. The need for certainty on trade – particularly the need to develop an innovative, enforceable agreement with China and a strong sense of urgency around the passage of the USMCA – also remained at the forefront. The AMC and the Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry remain committed to leading advocacy efforts at the state level. “Manufacturing in the United States is on the rise, and manufacturers are confident about the future,” said NAM President and CEO Jay Timmons at the three-day event at the Phoenician. Timmons is widely regarded as one of the most influential leaders in Washington today. During the first quarter of 2019, an average of 91 percent of manufacturers reported an optimistic outlook about their own company and the economy according to the NAM Manufacturers’ Outlook Survey released March 5th. There were 12,834,000 manufacturing workers in February, with almost 1.4 million employees added since the end of the Great Recession – the most workers in the sector since December 2008. While momentum is building, manufacturers expressed common concerns around trade, infrastructure deficiencies and workforce shortages. USMCA, TRADE FIGURES PROMINENTLY During his remarks, Vice President Pence urged manufacturers to “send a strong message to members of Congress in all 50 states that it’s time to approve the USMCA, and we must see it approved by Congress this year. “ Arizona’s international trade relationships remain vital to our state’s economy, especially with our strongest trading partners, Mexico and Canada. In 2017, Arizona exported $7.5 billion in goods to Mexico and $2.2 billion in goods to Canada. Trade with Mexico and Canada supported over 236,000 jobs in Arizona during the same year. The AMC and the Arizona Chamber are working full tilt with the Arizona delegation to create a sense of urgency around the passage of the USMCA. The deadline for the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) to release an assessment on the agreement and its economic impact is expected in April of this year and Congress will begin consideration of the agreement following the release of the ITC’s assessment. “Ratification of the USMCA is the single most important issue facing Arizona. More than 236,000 Arizona jobs depend on our trade relationship with Mexico and Canada,” Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry President and CEO Glenn Hamer said. WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT CRITICAL On the workforce side, the tightest labor market on record is welcome news to employees and jobseekers. However, a red-hot job market often spells challenges for employers. Recent studies show nearly 3.5 million manufacturing jobs will be created in the next decade. But 2.4 million of those jobs could go unfilled. The inability to attract and retain employees remained the top concern for the fifth consecutive quarter in the NAM’s Manufacturers’ Outlook Survey. One in four respondents indicated that worker shortages had forced them to turn down new business opportunities. Dawn Grove, Chairwoman of the AMC and Chairwoman of the Workforce Arizona Council added, “Manufacturers are growing so rapidly, they are necessarily reaching out to new populations — hiring returning citizens, those with disabilities and many who have been out of the workforce for years. Modern manufacturers are implementing advanced technologies, automation and robotics to improve quality, bolster safety and better compete globally, such that American manufacturing workers are becoming better skilled, more productive and receiving higher wages than ever before.” In Arizona, efforts are underway to create a pipeline of manufacturing workers through the power of Career and Technical Education. Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs are being developed that give students the hands-on skills needed to enter and succeed in the workforce. The AMC and the Arizona Chamber strongly support Governor Ducey’s fiscal year 2020 budget plan which includes a $10 million investment to expand CTE offerings across Arizona. Through a grant program, high schools with CTE programs will receive up to $1,000 for each student who graduates with a certification in specific industries. During a special edition of Ham(m)er Time filmed at PING in Phoenix, Hamer and Timmons sat down to discuss current workforce challenges and how technological advancements will continue to fuel demand for skilled workers. The two-week, eight-state tour concluded in Phoenix last week, with additional stops at Intel in Chandler and Four Peaks Brewery in Tempe. Made In Arizona40 Products Made in ArizonaLook at all of the innovative products coming from Arizona! While it’s still important, cotton doesn’t even make the cut in 2018. Read this article to learn more about the latest trends in Arizona manufacturing. 40 Products made in Arizona (AZ Big Media) Manufacturing ResourcesPresentations from the 2018 Environmental & Sustainability SummitEach August the Arizona Manufacturers Council, together with longstanding member Snell & Wilmer, convene leaders in industry and environmental policy for a robust two day conference in beautiful Prescott, Arizona. If you missed this year’s conference, we’ve made available this year’s presentations and agenda, and we hope you’ll join us next year. Special thanks to each of our event sponsors, presenters, contributors, and attendees.
News For ManufacturersNational Association of Manufacturers visits Arizona, hosts lineup of manufacturing and policy leaders
The Cutting Edge – December 2018<!-- <!-- December 2018 <!-- Aerospace & defense spotlight Arizona companies continue to expand and secure sought-after, competitive contracts, further solidifying the state as a center for aerospace and defense excellence. Arizona ranks in the top 10 for Department of ... Read More NAM recognizes 115th Congress Manufacturing Legislative Excellence honoreesEach year, the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) recognizes U.S. legislators for their commitment to the manufacturing community. The Manufacturing Legislative Excellence Award is given to those lawmakers who score above 70 percent on NAM Key Manufacturing ... Read More Arizona Manufacturer of the Year Awards: 2018 WinnersEach year, the Arizona Manufacturers Council recognizes creators and innovators of all sizes and industries. This year's award recipients represent the very best of the Arizona manufacturing community, and exemplify how manufacturing betters its communities ... Read More 
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Glenn Hamer
