AMT Applauds Creating Post for Assistant to the President for Manufacturing Policy

McLean, Va.  . . . AMT – The Association For Manufacturing Technology applauds President Obama’s creation of a new post overseeing manufacturing policy. Ron Bloom was named Assistant to the President for Manufacturing Policy within the White House’s National Economic Council. Bloom has been the administration’s auto czar since 2009 and has overseen the auto industry restructuring.

AMT’s President Douglas K. Woods is optimistic that the move is a step in the right direction toward establishing a national manufacturing strategy.

“For nearly two years, and as part of our Manufacturing Mandate, AMT has been advocating for the appointment of a senior position on manufacturing policy at the White House,” said Woods. “I’m hopeful this is recognition from the administration that job creation and competitiveness depend on a national agenda that emphasizes the importance of manufacturing.”

“America’s future depends on a strong commitment from our federal government to revitalize our manufacturing sector,” continued Woods. “The President was on target when he underscored the importance of innovation and R&D; global competitiveness; and education and a skilled workforce (or “smartforce”) in his State of the Union speech. These are the drivers of sustained economic growth. AMT stands ready to work with Mr. Bloom on a national manufacturing strategy that ensures American companies have the foundation and the tools they need to be top competitors around the world.”

AMT’s Manufacturing Mandate calls for a consistent, cohesive approach to managing the government’s manufacturing initiatives. The Mandate recommends establishing a central manufacturing policy structure within the Executive Branch to develop policy, focus research and coordinate implementation of programs.

“Duplicate efforts, complicated bureaucracies, and unclear directives waste valuable federal dollars and deter capital investment and R&D. AMT was encouraged by the President’s remarks during his State of the Union that a restructuring of our federal government is long overdue,” Woods noted. “We see Ron Bloom’s appointment as a step toward reconciling the dozens of conflicting policies related to manufacturing; and look forward to better collaboration and coordination among agencies on more meaningful manufacturing initiatives.”

The full Manufacturing Mandate:   Unleashing a Dynamic Innovation Economy is available at www.AMTonline.org. Printed copies are available by calling 703-893-2900.


AMT – The Association For Manufacturing Technology
Founded in 1902 as the National Machine Tool Builders’ Association, AMT supports and promotes the U.S. manufacturing technology industry. The association provides U.S. builders of manufacturing systems with the latest information on technical developments, trade and marketing opportunities, and economic issues. It also gathers and disseminates information about world markets, promotes its members’ products in those markets, and acts as a representative on manufacturing technology matters to governments and trade organizations throughout the world.