Ensuring a strong industrial base - How government and industry can work together to lighten the domestic burdens that weigh down U.S. competitiveness

摘要

American manufacturers are burdened by forces they can't control, including the rising costs associated with healthcare, regulatory compliance, taxes, tort litigation, and energy. Combined, these add at least 22% to the overhead costs of U.S manufacturers versus their major foreign competitors. American companies have done much to cut production costs, improve productivity, and eliminate waste, but many can't overcome these competitive disadvantages on their own. That's why they're asking their local, state, and federal governments for help. According to Al Frink, Assistant Secretary for Manufacturing Services, U.S. Dept. of Commerce, "I don't think anyone intended to create a burden on manufacturers; it's been layered over the years. We need to level the playing field to make it more desirable for America to keep manufacturing here and to keep jobs here." So what can be done? Ask 10 people what they think, and they'll provide 10 different answers based on the size of their business, their industry sector, and geographic location. For shops that must have operators in front of machines, healthcare reform tends to be a priority issue. Companies seeking automation, on the other hand, are clamoring for tax incentives for capital-equipment investment. Large, publicly owned manufacturers worry about how new regulations for corporate governance will impact their bottom lines. And manufacturers in Western states are worried about the escalating prices of workers' comp and energy.