Detroit Regional Chamber, National Coalition for Advanced Manufacturing Release National Agenda to Strengthen Manufacturing DETROIT REGIONAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE LOGO Detroit Regional Chamber of Commerce logo. (PRNewsFoto)[HD] DETROIT, MI USA 07/03/2000

25 September 2000

                   Detroit first stop on nationwide rollout

    DETROIT, Sept. 25 The National Coalition for Advanced
Manufacturing (NACFAM) unveiled a national campaign to strengthen the
infrastructure supporting manufacturing at a meeting today at the Detroit
Regional Chamber.
    (Photo:  http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20000703/DRCLOGO )
    NACFAM recently completed a major examination of local, state and federal
policies that affect manufacturing productivity in a report, "Smart
Prosperity: An Agenda for Enhancing Productivity Growth."  The agenda unites
business, universities, technical and community colleges, and state, local and
federal government around shared objectives.
    Speaking in support of the agenda were Eric Mittelstadt, chairman emeritus
of FANUC Robotics North America Inc. and co-chairman of NACFAM; Heinz
Prechter, chairman and founder, ASC Inc.; and Rep. Lynn Rivers.
    "The Smart Prosperity Agenda will support manufacturing as it enters its
second industrial revolution," said Prechter, emphasizing the partnership it
creates between industry and education.  Rivers stressed the importance of
greater cooperation between business and labor in pushing for this agenda.
    "Detroit has long been a global leader in manufacturing and in the
research and development of using technology and partnerships to improve the
manufacturing process," said Chamber president and CEO Richard E. Blouse Jr.,
CCE.  "This agenda will help manufacturers remain competitive and efficient in
the new economy."
    Added Egils Milbergs, NACFAM executive vice president: "It's easier for
manufacturing companies to become dot.coms, than for dot.coms to become
manufacturing companies."
    Specifically, the Smart Prosperity Agenda calls for:
    *  Increasing the federal commitment to research in the engineering and
physical sciences, with an emphasis on basic manufacturing science and
technology.
    *  Encouraging state tax credits for collaborative research or other
mechanisms to promote collaboration.
    *  Building an industry-led nationwide system of skill standards,
assessment and certification.
    *  Adopting two federal technical training tax credits for entry-level and
incumbent workers.
    *  Expanding, refocusing and leveraging manufacturing extension services.
    *  Stimulating development of voluntary open business-led framework for e-
manufacturing.

    "The Smart Prosperity Agenda recognizes that the dynamic elements of U.S.
economic performance are not the product of government decisions, but of the
concerted effort of businesses and workers," said NACFAM co-chairman Dwight
Carlson, Chairman, Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center and Chairman & CEO
of Sitca, Inc.
    Other stops on the agenda rollout include Chicago, Dallas, and Silicon
Valley.   NACFAM will then focus its efforts on implementing the agenda's
action items.
    To receive a copy of the agenda, call NACFAM at 202-289-2978.
    For more information, call Amy Hennes at 313-596-0367 or email:
ahennes@detroitchamber.com .
    The Detroit Regional Chamber, an organization of more than 12,000 members,
is committed to powering the economy for Southeast Michigan, working to retain
and attract jobs and investment to the region and helping regional business
expand and grow.