Secretary Gutierrez Meets with Manufacturers at NMW

Following his remarks this morning at National Manufacturing Week in Rosemont, IL, Commerce Secretary Carols M. Gutierrez spoke with manufacturers as he walked the show floor.

Manufacturing.net staff had the opportunity to speak with the Secretary one-on-one as he walked the show floor.

When asked about jobs being exported to overseas markets, the Secretary remarked, "anytime we lose one job in the U.S. that is cause for concern. The solution is to continue to drive competitiveness. To continue to focus on math and science education. To be the best place in the world for investment to attract capital."

The Secretary added, "there's no question there are some industries that are going through a difficult time. We don't hear a lot about those industries that are adding jobs and building factories and growing. That's why our unemployment is so low. But anytime we loose a U. S. job, of course there is cause for concern."

When asked about the comments Colin Wu made at the opening keynote to National Manufacturing Week, referring to American workers as reliant on the government, the Secretary remarked that "the American workers are the best in the world and we have been the most innovative economy in the world for 220 years. That's not going to change. This is where innovation takes place. This is the home of the entrepreneur, the home of the innovator and that's going to continue. History will prove that comment to be wrong."

As the Secretary continued to walk the show floor, Manufacturing.net staff asked what his thoughts were. "It's great. Most of these companies are small businesses and they are creating new products and try to build up the value curve. This is very motivating to see."