WASHINGTON DC – The National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) President and CEO Jay Timmons will begin the fourth annual State of Manufacturing Tour at Automation Alley on February 12, where he will deliver his keynote address.
Timmons will be joined by Michigan business leaders and local students as he discusses manufacturing’s optimistic future, the rewarding opportunities the industry offers and the urgent need to build a modern manufacturing workforce across the country.
“Across America, the nature of work is changing, and the types of jobs we’re creating are shifting. Innovation is transforming the way manufacturers operate, and there is an urgent need for talented and skilled men and women on our shop floors and in our facilities working as coders, technicians, craftspeople, designers, marketers and so much more. Our focus on this tour is telling the story of modern manufacturing and the incredible opportunities we have for well-paying, rewarding careers—whether it’s a first career or a new career,” said Timmons.
Manufacturing contributes an estimated $2.25 trillion to the U.S. economy – and supports 598,800 jobs in Michigan alone. The tour will spotlight the industry’s rapid transformation and focus on its well-paying careers, the industry’s diverse workforce and real-world solutions to support manufacturing’s continued growth.
WHAT: 2018 State of Manufacturing Tour – Launch Event
WHEN: Monday, February 12
8:15 a.m. – 10:40 a.m. (EST)
Automation Alley
2675 Bellingham Drive
Troy, MI 48083
11:30 a.m. – 1:15 p.m. (EST)
Oakland Schools Technical Campus Northeast
1371 North Perry Street
Pontiac, MI 48340
Timmons will begin the Tour at the Automation Alley facility, which demonstrates how the intersection of manufacturing, technology, education and government fuels Southeast Michigan’s economy. Following a facility tour, Timmons will deliver his keynote speech and participate in a panel discussion with key manufacturing and education leaders.
Timmons will then travel to Oakland Schools Technical Campus Northeast where he will tour the student learning space and talk with students about the future of manufacturing and the opportunities the industry has to offer.
The State of Manufacturing Tour comes as manufacturers’ confidence in the future has skyrocketed. In the midst of historic tax reform and regulatory relief, 95 percent of respondents expressed a positive outlook for their companies’ future in the NAM’s latest Manufacturers Outlook Survey. As part of the Tour, Timmons will also visit with local manufacturers, employees, students, parents, community and business leaders, and elected officials across KY, IN, AL, NY, KS, CA and MO.
