WASHINGTON -- North American manufacturers say the U.S. is the most desirable country for expansion over the next three years, according to a survey by the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM), The Manufacturing Institute, the Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters (CME) and Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu.
Forty-four percent of North American companies said they intend to expand production in the U.S. over the next three years. Fifty-seven percent of U.S. manufacturers say they will become globally competitive over the next five years across the supply chain from sales, marketing and customer service to engineering and information technology.
“The survey clearly shows concerns that manufacturing companies want government to address,” said Emily DeRocco, NAM Senior Vice President and President, The Manufacturing Institute. “Manufacturers cited controlling labor costs, enacting favorable tax policies and assisting with the severe shortage of skilled manufacturing workers, including engineers, scientists and technicians, as the top three areas that policymakers should address to help improve their global competitiveness.”
DeRocco noted that nearly 80 percent of respondents said tax cuts for manufacturers were the key factor promoting innovation and research and development (R&D).
Additionally, the survey shows 49 percent of North American manufacturers say that the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) has helped their business become more competitive, while 10 percent say it has hurt their business. The remaining 41 percent said it did not affect business one way or the other.
“On the trade policy side, the significant competitive momentum that is felt among U.S. manufacturers in this survey is reflected by the surge in U.S. export sales that has stabilized the U.S. economy this year,” said NAM Vice President, International Economic Affairs Frank Vargo.
To download the survey, go to http://www.nam.org/northamericansurvey.
