Other Related Research and Reports

September 2006 NAM Report
The National Association of Manufacturers, the Manufacturing Institute and the Manufacturers Alliance/MAPI recently updated their study of non-wage structural costs for US manufacturing.  The study analyzed corporate tax rates, employee benefits, legal costs, natural gas prices and pollution abatement costs and compared them to nine of our major trading partners.  The updated report shows that the structural cost disadvantage for US manufacturers rose from 22.4% in 2003 to 31.7% today.  The study’s results are an alarming reminder that advocacy in Washington to remove these costs is critical to maintaining manufacturers competitiveness.
Download and read the full report, The Escalating Cost Crisis.

February 2006 NAM Report Highlights Challenges for Manufacturers in America
In a report just released by the National Association of Manufacturers, noted economist Dr. Joel Popkin cites five key downward trends in U.S. manufacturing innovation that pose a serious threat to America's long-term economic growth and living standards.  Download and read the full report, U.S. Manufacturing Innovation at Risk.

On January 16, 2004, the Bush Administration released a major manufacturing report entitled "Manufacturing in America: A Comprehensive Strategy to Address the Challenges to U.S. Manufacturers".  The report recommends specific steps that should be taken to reduce the external costs imposed upon U.S. manufacturers.  The primary cost factors are regulations, excessive litigation, taxes, health care, and rising energy costs.  In addition to creating an Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Manufacturing and Services, the report also recommends strong interagency coordination and establishes a President's Manufacturing Council that will enable large and small manufacturers to have a continuing voice in government policies affecting their industry.  For a report summary, click on the link below.  To download the full eighty-eight page report, go to the Department of Commerce Web site www.doc.gov

In December 2003, the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) released the findings of a new study entitled How Structural Costs Imposed on U.S. Manufacturers Harm Workers and Threaten Competitiveness. This report documents how external, non-production costs add approximately 22% to unit labor costs of U.S. manufacturers relative to competitors overseas. Scroll down this page to download and print a copy of the full study.

In mid-2003, NAM also completed a report with the support of ISPA and 35 other manufacturing associations, entitled Securing Ameria's Future: The Case for a Strong Manufacturing Base. The report discusses why a viable manufacturing sector is important to any economy, with particular emphasis on the United States. 
Scroll to the bottom of this page and click on the link to download and print a copy of the full report.

Click here for suggestions on how ISPA members can use this information to help foster new public policies that recognize the importance of manufacturing.

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