President Obama declared October 3, 2014 National Manufacturing Day, calling upon the nation to "celebrate all those who proudly stand behind our goods and services made in America" and affirming America's "commitment to winning the race for the jobs of tomorrow."
Manufacturing companies and co-sponsors created MFG DAY to provide a framework for the event, in an effort to address "common misperceptions about manufacturing by giving manufacturers an opportunity to open their doors and show, in a coordinated effort, what manufacturing is—and what it isn't."
Over 1,600 American manufacturers opened their doors to educate and inspire communities to become more involved. Around the country, firms from a wide variety of industries—everything from steel to software, furniture to food—hosted tours, demonstrations, speakers, and other events showcasing their work to young people, college students, and other members of the community. Over a dozen cities hosted screenings of American Made Movie, the documentary illuminating the vibrant history and future innovations in American manufacturing.
Meanwhile, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) took the opportunity to highlight manufacturing hot spots in the United States, visiting communities where success in export-oriented manufacturing is bolstering local economies and America's role in world trade. Ambassador Michael Froman visited Maryland and met with Baltimore's state-of-the-art circuit board producer, Zentech Manufacturing, and technical college students. Ambassador Froman also highlighted export-oriented manufacturing success in Texas, meeting with the San Antonio Chamber of Commerce and touring Rackspace, a managed cloud computer company in Windcrest. Columbus, Ohio also received a visit from Representative Froman, where he toured the wastewater treatment manufacturer Jet Incorporated and attended Columbus Mayor Michael Coleman's MOMENTUM Small Business Conference & Expo.
Throughout the Manufacturing Day events, the Obama Administration continued to promote its Trade Policy Agenda, linking the expansion of free trade through the proposed Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) and the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) to increased opportunities for U.S. manufacturers in the global market.
On National Manufacturing Day, the Administration reaffirmed its commitment to American-made industries. "When our generation faced an economy in free fall and an industry on the brink of collapse, we bet on American resilience and American workers," President Obama declared, "and today innovative technologies, new wellsprings of manufacturing entrepreneurship, and our country's increasing competitiveness are fueling a revitalization of American manufacturing."
Elizabeth Owerbach
