Press Release

U.S. Commerce Department to Celebrate American Manufacturing

Contact: Public Affairs Department, (202) 482-4085
Wednesday, September 30, 2015

On Manufacturing Day, Secretary Pritzker and Senior Department Officials Participate in Events at Manufacturing Facilities Nationwide

WASHINGTON — In honor of National Manufacturing Day, senior U.S. Commerce Department officials are joining several Cabinet secretaries and other government leaders this week to participate in events celebrating American manufacturers.

Throughout the day, more than 2,000 manufacturers nationwide are opening their doors to teachers, parents, and students to demonstrate the potential of 21st century manufacturing, tout the transformation of manufacturing into an industry of innovation, and foster interest in the rewarding careers available in this growing sector. The Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP), part of the Commerce Department’s National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), along with private sector partners, organized the day to help raise awareness about manufacturing’s contributions to the U.S. economy.

“To lead in the global economy, we must engage the next generation of workers and excite our youth about the potential of a career in manufacturing,” said U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker. “At the Department of Commerce, we created Manufacturing Day to help the public, and young people in particular, understand that manufacturers are innovative, inventive businesses, where workers develop and use the latest technology and build lasting, middle class careers. The commitment of our nation’s manufacturers to host events on Manufacturing Day provides Americans with a better understanding of modern manufacturing, and highlights the importance of a strong manufacturing sector to our nation’s long-term economic health.”

The resurgence of the manufacturing sector in recent years has produced tangible results for the American people. An entry-level manufacturing engineer can expect to earn $60,000, and the average manufacturing worker earns over $77,000 annually, about $15,000 more than the average worker across all sectors. Manufacturing is also expanding the national economy –for every dollar invested in manufacturing, the sector generates $1.37 for the economy.

Manufacturing is a key component of the Commerce Department’s “Open for Business Agenda” and the agency’s focus on strengthening American innovation. The Department has worked to connect manufacturers with the resources they need to grow and thrive, ensure workers have the skills to get today’s high-tech manufacturing jobs, and develop a network of institutes designed to enhance the global competitiveness of America’s manufacturing sector.

To mark Manufacturing Day and highlight the Department’s efforts, Secretary Pritzker will travel to Delaware on Friday, October 2 to tour Accudyne, a company that designs and manufactures custom industrial automation machines. She will also visit M. Davis, a 5th generation family owned business that builds custom manufacturing facilities.

In addition, top Commerce Department officials are taking part in events with manufacturers of all sizes across the country.

September 30 event:

• Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) Michelle Lee, and Chandra Brown, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Manufacturing, will participate in a National Alliance for Jobs and Innovation discussion on “The Impact of 3D Printing on Intellectual Property Production and Protection in the Manufacturing Sector” in Washington, D.C.

October 2 events:

• Under Secretary of Commerce for Standards and Technology Dr. Willie May will visit the Northrop Grumman facility in Charlottesville, Virginia on October 2. He will tour the facility and join local STEM students for a workshop to build 3D printed hands for children with handicaps.
  
• Under Secretary of Commerce for Industry and Security Eric Hirschhorn will tour Micron Technologies in Manassas, Virginia. Micron Technologies has designed and manufactured electronic memory and semiconductor technologies for the past 35 years.
  
• National Director of the Minority Business Development Agency Alejandra Castillo will participate in a ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Center for Advanced Manufacturing at Ben Franklin High School in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. This new public, magnet high school will provide industry credentialed training in the manufacturing process to students.
  
• Assistant Secretary for Industry and Analysis Marcus Jadotte will speak at the Michigan Manufacturing Day Kick-Off at the Michigan Science Center in Detroit. Organized by U.S. Manufacturing Council members, the event will bring together 200 students, teachers, and manufacturing leaders to kick-off Manufacturing Day.
  
• Deputy Assistant Secretary for Manufacturing Chandra Brown will travel to San Diego, California where she will deliver opening remarks at the San Diego Regional Economic Development Corporation Manufacturing Day kick-off event. She will then visit local manufacturers including D&K Engineering, Hunter Industries, and Taylor Guitars.  She will end the day with a tour of San Diego City College and a discussion with students about their Manufacturing Engineering Technology Program. She will end the day with a tour of San Diego City College and a discussion with students about their Manufacturing Engineering Technology Program.
  
• Deputy Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Matt Erskine will tour the Brooklyn Navy Yard. He will be visiting active manufacturing sites and the Navy Yard's museum that encapsulates the rich manufacturing history of the site. He will also be making a special announcement.
  
• Phil Singerman, Associate Director for Innovation & Industry Services at NIST, will travel to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania to visit MANTECH, a non-profit organization that promotes manufacturing and innovation in south central Pennsylvania. MANTECH is hosting a series of workshops on manufacturing excellence and continuous improvement.
  

About the U.S. Economic Development Administration (www.eda.gov)
The Economic Development Administration marks 50 years of public service, leading the federal economic development agenda by promoting competitiveness and preparing the nation's regions for growth and success in the worldwide economy. An agency within the U.S. Department of Commerce, EDA makes investments in economically distressed communities in order to create jobs for U.S. workers, promote American innovation, and accelerate long-term sustainable economic growth.