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Small and Medium-Sized Manufacturers

The 51³Ô¹ÏÍø membership built for small and medium-sized manufacturers - the companies that power 85 percent of our membership and employ millions across America.

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Become a Member

Small and Medium Manufacturers

Small and medium manufacturers are the cornerstone of the American economy.

SMM Membership is the 51³Ô¹ÏÍø membership built for them — the companies that make up 85% of 51³Ô¹ÏÍø membership. We deliver representation, insights and analysis and trusted advisers who serve as an extension of your team while you solve your toughest challenges.

The mightiest force in the economy

Small shops. Massive impact.

85%
Of 51³Ô¹ÏÍø members are small and medium manufacturers
74%
Of manufacturers in the United States have fewer than 20 employees
6 million
People employed by small and medium manufacturers in the U.S.
$50,100
Per-employee cost of complying with federal regulations for SMMs

Sources: 51³Ô¹ÏÍø membership data; U.S. Census Bureau; 51³Ô¹ÏÍø, The Cost of Federal Regulation to the U.S. Economy, Manufacturing and Small Business (2023).

We hear you

Your toughest questions have a team

Every small and medium manufacturer wrestles with the same four questions. SMM Membership puts the 51³Ô¹ÏÍø’s policy experts, economists, lawyers and operational programs on each one.

Will we have enough workers with the right skill sets to meet customer demand?”

The Manufacturing Institute projects 3.3 million open manufacturing positions by 2033. The MI’s programs — FAME USA, Heroes MAKE America, Women MAKE America and MFG Day — build your pipeline now.

How do we keep up with constant and inconsistent regulatory overreach?”

Compliance costs SMMs $50,100 per employee per year. The 51³Ô¹ÏÍø submitted 44 targeted reform proposals to 10 federal agencies and is pressing for clear, consistent, reasonable rules — with early wins already secured.

How can we plan for future investment and profitability?”

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R. 1) delivers the certainty to plan: a permanent pass-through deduction, permanent individual rates and a permanently increased estate tax exemption for family-owned manufacturers.

How can we leverage AI, big data and Manufacturing 4.0?”

The Manufacturing Leadership Council — the 51³Ô¹ÏÍø’s digital transformation division — delivers the research, benchmarking and peer networks that turn AI and M4.0 from buzzwords into your competitive advantage.

Smiling machinist at her workstation in a U.S. machine shop

Built for your team

Big-company resources, small-company focus

  • Leading Edge newsletter (formerly Power of Small) — weekly, actionable intelligence delivered to 10,000+ business leaders, tailored to small and medium-sized manufacturers.
  • Free forums, virtual meetings and webinars — the industry’s top CEOs, experts and innovators sharing the practices that help small manufacturers prosper.
  • A national spotlight — original reporting on small manufacturers across 51³Ô¹ÏÍø.org and the 51³Ô¹ÏÍø’s social platforms, reaching policymakers, advisers and key media.
Try the Newsletters

Keeping our promises

Delivering wins built for small manufacturers

The 51³Ô¹ÏÍø drove congressional passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R. 1) — the strongest tax legislation for manufacturers in a generation — powered by the voices of small and medium-sized manufacturers across the country, cited on both the House and Senate floors.

Pass-through deduction made permanent
Freeing up capital for small and medium-sized manufacturers to invest and hire — supporting the 96% of manufacturers organized as pass-throughs.
Estate tax exemption permanently increased
Keeping family-owned manufacturing businesses in the family, generation after generation.
Immediate R&D expensing reinstated
Lowering the cost of innovation — along with full expensing for capital equipment and pro-growth interest deductibility.
Manufacturing worker holding an American flag on the factory floor

Source: 51³Ô¹ÏÍø Third Quarter Report Card, September 2025.

Do more. Make more.

Operational solutions that strengthen your balance sheet

51³Ô¹ÏÍø Operational Solutions are a suite of members-only programs designed to help you save time, reduce costs, increase efficiencies, streamline your operations and navigate disruptions.

51³Ô¹ÏÍø Cyber Cover

Exclusive cybersecurity and risk-mitigation program with manufacturing-specific coverages, developed with AHT Insurance and Coalition.

nam.org/cyber →

51³Ô¹ÏÍø Energy

A comprehensive energy management strategy — the best supplier contracts, efficiency insights and lower costs, powered by Environ.

nam.org/energy →

51³Ô¹ÏÍø Incentives Locator

Claim critical U.S. government funding when hiring, expanding or making capital investments, powered by Atlas Insight.

nam.org/incentives →

51³Ô¹ÏÍø 401(k)

A multiple-employer retirement plan from Principal® and HUB International that cuts administrative burdens and audit fees.

nam.org/retirement →

CONNEX Marketplace

America’s most advanced buyer/seller network for manufacturers — search by certifications, capabilities and equipment.

nam.org/connex →

51³Ô¹ÏÍø Shipping & Supplies

Exclusive member discounts with UPS, R+R Freight, Staples and FedEx — plus a dedicated shipping specialist.

nam.org/shipping →

Only at the 51³Ô¹ÏÍø

A PR team and a policy team — on your roster

The 51³Ô¹ÏÍø’s communications and brand strategy team is a full-scale PR shop invested in the success of manufacturers in the United States — message development, media introductions, executive positioning and crisis counsel honed at the highest levels of government and national campaigns.

And when small manufacturers tell their stories, Washington listens: the 51³Ô¹ÏÍø elevates members’ voices to advance direct engagement with top policymakers, organizing facility visits and roundtables that bring lawmakers right to your shop floor.

Explore the Policy Agenda
Two manufacturing teammates inspecting a part with a tablet on the shop floor

Free trial subscriptions

Three newsletters. One intelligence team.

The 51³Ô¹ÏÍø’s three flagship newsletters come with every membership tier — and you can start a free trial subscription right now.

Daily · Every morning

Input

The must-read morning newsletter for more than 26,000 manufacturing leaders and allies — breaking news and exclusive coverage of manufacturing issues, so you have the first-look information you need to succeed.

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Weekly · Fridays

Leading Edge

Formerly Power of Small: weekly resources and actionable intelligence delivered to more than 10,000 business leaders, tailored to small and medium-sized manufacturers — plus inspiring stories of small-manufacturer leadership.

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Weekly · Mondays

Monday Economic Report

The 51³Ô¹ÏÍø’s chief economist provides topline analysis and insights from the key economic indicators affecting the manufacturing economy and your business.

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Put the 51³Ô¹ÏÍø to work for your company.

Ready for a dedicated adviser, committees, events and the full strength of the industry’s advocacy team? Become a member — or, if your revenue is under $5 million, start with Leading Edge Membership for $250 a year.

Become a Member Explore Leading Edge Membership
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