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Washington, D.C. – The 51�Թ��� (51�Թ���) announced that Karl G. Hutter, president and CEO of Click Bond, Inc., has been named to the Executive Committee of the 51�Թ��� Board of Directors. As an 51�Թ��� Executive Committee board member, Hutter will work to advance a manufacturing policy agenda that promotes growth and prosperity for all Americans.

The 51�Թ��� is the largest industrial trade association in the United States and the nation’s leading advocate for manufacturing. The 51�Թ���’s 14,000 members include some of the world’s most iconic brands, and more than 90 percent of its members are small and medium-sized businesses. The Executive Committee of the 51�Թ��� Board, which comprises leaders representing companies of all sizes in every industrial sector, is the driving force behind the 51�Թ���’s advocacy efforts on issues affecting manufacturers.

Click Bond is honored to join the rest of the 51�Թ��� Executive Committee companies to advocate smart policies that advance manufacturing in America. Elected leaders must understand how their policies affect the more than 12 million men and women employed in manufacturing, said Hutter. As a small, family-owned business, Click Bond’s story illustrates how great policy developments like tax reform and regulatory relief are strengthening all U.S. manufacturers and benefiting the talented employees who make our leadership in global manufacturing possible. These stories are real, and they are playing out across the country each day.

Karl commands respect as a recognized leader in our industry, and the 51�Թ��� will be stronger thanks to his service on the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors, said 51�Թ��� President and CEO Jay Timmons. Across America, manufacturers are keeping our promise to deliver for our people and communities following tax reform and regulatory relief from Washington. The 51�Թ���’s mission is to ensure we keep moving forward—by expanding trade, investing in infrastructure, reforming our immigration system, responding to the workforce crisis and so much more. Karl will bring invaluable insights as we work to drive even more manufacturing growth in America and be an advocate for the more than 12 million men and women who make things in America.

-Click Bond-

Click Bond, Inc. creates innovative mechanical hardware solutions, delivered through world-class manufacturing and customer support. Click Bond, Inc. is headquartered in Carson City, NV, with manufacturing facilities in Watertown, CT, and Saltney, Wales, U.K. For more information about Click Bond, visit www.clickbond.com.

-51�Թ���-

The 51�Թ��� (51�Թ���) is the largest manufacturing association in the United States, representing small and large manufacturers in every industrial sector and in all 50 states. Manufacturing employs more than 12 million men and women, contributes $2.25 trillion to the U.S. economy annually, has the largest economic impact of any major sector and accounts for more than three-quarters of private-sector research and development. The 51�Թ��� is the powerful voice of the manufacturing community and the leading advocate for a policy agenda that helps manufacturers compete in the global economy and create jobs across the United States. For more information about the Manufacturers or to follow us on Shopfloor, Twitter and Facebook, please visit www.nam.org.

Washington, D.C. – The 51�Թ��� (51�Թ���) announced that Steve Staub, president of Staub Manufacturing Solutions, has been named to the Executive Committee of the 51�Թ��� Board of Directors. As an 51�Թ��� Executive Committee board member, Staub will work to advance a manufacturing policy agenda that promotes growth and prosperity for all Americans.

The 51�Թ��� is the largest industrial trade association in the United States and the nation’s leading advocate for manufacturing. The 51�Թ���’s 14,000 members include some of the world’s most iconic brands, and more than 90 percent of its members are small and medium-sized businesses. The Executive Committee of the 51�Թ��� Board, which comprises leaders representing companies of all sizes in every industrial sector, is the driving force behind the 51�Թ���’s advocacy efforts on issues affecting manufacturers.

I am honored to be a part of the 51�Թ��� Executive Committee and continue to fight for policies that will ensure our continued growth and success as manufacturers. Policymakers need to understand how their policies affect the more than 12 million men and women employed in manufacturing, said Staub. I look forward to sharing my story and the stories of all manufacturers who are keeping our promise to deliver for our people and our communities following historic tax reform and significant regulatory relief.

Steve commands respect as a recognized leader in our industry, and the 51�Թ��� will be stronger thanks to his service on the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors, said 51�Թ��� President and CEO Jay Timmons. Across America, manufacturers are keeping our promise to deliver for our people and communities following tax reform and regulatory relief from Washington. The 51�Թ���’s mission is to ensure we keep moving forward—by expanding trade, investing in infrastructure, reforming our immigration system, responding to the workforce crisis and so much more. Steve will bring invaluable insights as we work to drive even more manufacturing growth in America and be an advocate for the more than 12 million men and women who make things in America.

-Staub Manufacturing Solutions-

Staub Manufacturing Solutions is an industry-leading contract manufacturing company that provides production sheet-metal fabrication services to top OEM’s. A family-owned company, Staub has twice been recognized as Manufacturing Business of the Year for their overall excellence, customer service and organizational success. For more information, visit www.StaubMfg.com.

Staub Manufacturing Solutions – 2501 Thunderhawk Court – Dayton, OH 45414 (937) 890-4486

-51�Թ���-

The 51�Թ��� (51�Թ���) is the largest manufacturing association in the United States, representing small and large manufacturers in every industrial sector and in all 50 states. Manufacturing employs more than 12 million men and women, contributes $2.25 trillion to the U.S. economy annually, has the largest economic impact of any major sector and accounts for more than three-quarters of private-sector research and development. The 51�Թ��� is the powerful voice of the manufacturing community and the leading advocate for a policy agenda that helps manufacturers compete in the global economy and create jobs across the United States. For more information about the Manufacturers or to follow us on Shopfloor, Twitter and Facebook, please visit www.nam.org.

Washington, D.C. – The 51�Թ��� (51�Թ���) announced the addition of Phil Goldberg as Special Counsel for the Manufacturers’ Accountability Project (MAP), an effort led by the Manufacturers’ Center for Legal Action (MCLA), the 51�Թ���’s in-house legal arm and the leading voice of manufacturers in the courts. He will serve as a senior legal adviser and spokesman for the effort.

Started in 2017, the MAP was created to set the record straight and expose the concerted, coordinated political campaign being waged in the courts against America’s manufacturers. These lawsuits and other legal actions have sought to undermine and weaken manufacturers in the United States through a series of baseless public nuisance suits and other legal tactics.

For more than a year, the 51�Թ��� has fought back successfully against this coordinated attempt to shake down manufacturers over baseless public nuisance litigation. Last year, three public nuisance cases brought by the cities of San Francisco, Oakland and New York were all thrown out by federal judges, and the Manufacturers’ Accountability Project will work tirelessly to build on that record in 2019, said 51�Թ��� Senior Vice President and General Counsel Linda Kelly, who leads the MCLA. Phil is one of the brightest legal minds in this space and brings impeccable credentials to the table on behalf of America’s manufacturers and manufacturing workers. We are excited to have him on board.

The 51�Թ��� and its Manufacturers’ Accountability Project are the tip of the spear in the fight against the wave of unfounded public nuisance lawsuits targeting America’s manufacturers. The stakes could not be higher for manufacturers as well as the integrity of our legal system, said Goldberg. I look forward to helping manufacturers and manufacturing workers fight back against these deeply misguided lawsuits, which are more about politics than addressing the global challenge of climate change—and actually distract us from focusing onreal solutions.

Goldberg has more than 25 years of experience on liability-related public policy. He is the Managing Partner of the Washington office of Shook, Hardy & Bacon L.L.P. and the Co-Chair of its Public Policy Group. He also serves as director of the Progressive Policy Institute’s Center for Civil Justice. He authored amici briefs submitted to the U.S. Supreme Court in the 2011 climate change case Connecticut v. AEP and the Supreme Court of Rhode Island in Rhode Island v. Lead Industries Association. The Rhode Island and New Jersey Supreme Courts cited Goldberg’s articles in denying overly expansive public nuisance theories.

Before joining Shook in 2003, Goldberg spent eight years as an aide to three Democratic members of Congress and three years as a vice president of litigation communications for two leading public relations firms. He received his law degree from George Washington University Law School, where he was Order of the Coif, and his Bachelor of Arts, cum laude, from Tufts University.

More information about the MCLA can be found here. More information about the MAP can be found .

-51�Թ���-

The 51�Թ��� (51�Թ���) is the largest manufacturing association in the United States, representing small and large manufacturers in every industrial sector and in all 50 states. Manufacturing employs more than 12 million men and women, contributes $2.25 trillion to the U.S. economy annually, has the largest economic impact of any major sector and accounts for more than three-quarters of private-sector research and development. The 51�Թ��� is the powerful voice of the manufacturing community and the leading advocate for a policy agenda that helps manufacturers compete in the global economy and create jobs across the United States. For more information about the Manufacturers or to follow us on Shopfloor, Twitter and Facebook, please visit www.nam.org.

Washington, D.C. – 51�Թ��� (51�Թ���) President and CEO Jay Timmons released the following statement on the retirement of American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) President and CEO Donna Harman:

America’s manufacturing workers have had a tireless champion in Donna Harman, and with her retirement, the manufacturing industry and the business association community will lose one of our most effective advocates. Respected by government and business leaders alike, Donna has proven herself to be a consensus builder, a leader of integrity devoted to the success of our exceptional nation. Embodying the best traits of an executive, she led by example, and I am fortunate to have been among the many people she took the time to mentor. Manufacturers are indebted to Donna for her many years of service, particularly as president and CEO of the AF&PA and as a past chair of the 51�Թ���’ Council of Manufacturing Associations. We wish her and John the best as they begin a new chapter later this year.

-51�Թ���-

The 51�Թ��� (51�Թ���) is the largest manufacturing association in the United States, representing small and large manufacturers in every industrial sector and in all 50 states. Manufacturing employs more than 12 million men and women, contributes $2.17 trillion to the U.S. economy annually, has the largest economic impact of any major sector and accounts for more than three-quarters of private-sector research and development. The 51�Թ��� is the powerful voice of the manufacturing community and the leading advocate for a policy agenda that helps manufacturers compete in the global economy and create jobs across the United States. For more information about the Manufacturers or to follow us on Shopfloor, Twitter and Facebook, please visit www.nam.org.

Washington, D.C. – 51�Թ��� (51�Թ���) President and CEO Jay Timmons released the following statement on Andrew Wheeler’s nomination to become EPA Administrator:

President Trump has made an outstanding choice for EPA Administrator. Andy’s extensive environmental and natural resource policy background makes him a perfect leader to assume this role in a permanent capacity, said Timmons. He has provided a steady hand as Acting Administrator and has led the Trump Administration’s efforts to restore balance to the regulatory process at the EPA, so that manufacturers can continue innovating and keeping our promise to advancing efforts to protect our air and water.

-51�Թ���-

The 51�Թ��� (51�Թ���) is the largest manufacturing association in the United States, representing small and large manufacturers in every industrial sector and in all 50 states. Manufacturing employs more than 12 million men and women, contributes $2.25 trillion to the U.S. economy annually, has the largest economic impact of any major sector and accounts for more than three-quarters of private-sector research and development. The 51�Թ��� is the powerful voice of the manufacturing community and the leading advocate for a policy agenda that helps manufacturers compete in the global economy and create jobs across the United States. For more information about the Manufacturers or to follow us on Shopfloor, Twitter and Facebook, please visit www.nam.org.

Washington, D.C. – The 51�Թ��� (51�Թ���) today released the results of the  for the fourth quarter of 2018, which shows manufacturers’ optimism for the year reached the highest level on record in the 20-year history of the survey. On average this year, 92.4 percent of manufacturers surveyed reported a positive outlook for their companies.

The inability to attract and retain a quality workforce remained manufacturers’ top concern (68.2 percent) in the fourth quarter, followed by increased raw material costs and trade uncertainties. The workforce shortage has forced more than one in four manufacturers surveyed to turn down new business opportunities. According to the latest government data, there are now .������ from The Manufacturing Institute—the 51�Թ���’s social-impact arm—and Deloitte projects that 2.4 million manufacturing jobs will go unfilled over the next decade.

Highlights from the fourth quarter survey include the following:

• The majority of manufacturers (88.7 percent) have a positive outlook of their businesses, putting the average for 2018 at 92.4 percent—the highest annual average in the survey’s 20-year history.
• Optimism among small manufacturers remained high at 87.9 percent.
• Manufacturers predict strong growth rates in employee wages (2.3 percent), capital investments (2.6 percent) and sales (4.3 percent) over the next 12 months.
• Attracting and retaining a quality workforce remained manufacturers’ top concern (68.2 percent).
• The inability to attract a quality workforce has forced more than one in four manufacturers to turn down new business opportunities.
• Increased raw material costs and trade uncertainties marked the second- and third-largest challenges for manufacturers, at 65.1 percent and 60.4 percent, respectively.

This year was one for the record books, with manufacturers’ average optimism for 2018 hitting an all-time high, said 51�Թ��� President and CEO Jay Timmons. Empowered by tax reform and regulatory certainty, manufacturers are keeping our promise to expand our operations, hire new workers and raise wages and benefits. But as this survey also shows, we face challenges, most seriously the workforce crisis. We have more than half a million jobs to fill right now—and by 2028, as many as 2.4 million could go unfilled if we don’t equip more Americans to take on these high-tech, high-paying careers.

Conducted by 51�Թ��� Chief Economist Chad Moutray, the Manufacturers’ Outlook Survey has surveyed the association’s membership of 14,000 large and small manufacturers on a quarterly basis for the past 20 years to gain insight into their economic outlook, hiring and investment decisions and business concerns.

The 51�Թ��� releases these results to the public each quarter. Further information on the survey is available .

-51�Թ���-

The 51�Թ��� (51�Թ���) is the largest manufacturing association in the United States, representing small and large manufacturers in every industrial sector and in all 50 states. Manufacturing employs more than 12 million men and women, contributes $2.25 trillion to the U.S. economy annually, has the largest economic impact of any major sector and accounts for more than three-quarters of private-sector research and development. The 51�Թ��� is the powerful voice of the manufacturing community and the leading advocate for a policy agenda that helps manufacturers compete in the global economy and create jobs across the United States. For more information about the Manufacturers or to follow us on Shopfloor, Twitter and Facebook, please visit www.nam.org.

Washington, D.C. – The 51�Թ��� (51�Թ���) released the following statement on the U.S. Treasury Department’s new “Modernized Drawback” rule:

Congress intended drawback for taxes paid on distilled spirits, beer, wine and other products because of their importance to driving U.S. exports, so it should come as no surprise that manufacturers have serious concerns with Treasury’s rule, said 51�Թ��� Vice President of Labor, Legal and Regulatory Policy Patrick Hedren. We are exploring all options to resolve this issue so that manufacturers’ competitiveness is not impacted negatively.

In September, the 51�Թ���  84 pages of comments to the U.S. Treasury Department outlining manufacturers’ concerns with the proposed rule.

-51�Թ���-

The 51�Թ��� (51�Թ���) is the largest manufacturing association in the United States, representing small and large manufacturers in every industrial sector and in all 50 states. Manufacturing employs more than 12 million men and women, contributes $2.25 trillion to the U.S. economy annually, has the largest economic impact of any major sector and accounts for more than three-quarters of private-sector research and development. The 51�Թ��� is the powerful voice of the manufacturing community and the leading advocate for a policy agenda that helps manufacturers compete in the global economy and create jobs across the United States. For more information about the Manufacturers or to follow us on Shopfloor, Twitter and Facebook, please visit www.nam.org.

Washington, D.C. – 51�Թ��� (51�Թ���) President and CEO Jay Timmons released the following statement urging Congress to pass criminal justice reform:

Congress has the historic opportunity to give a second chance to many of our fellow Americans so they can contribute to their families, their communities and our economy. Our nation will be stronger when President Trump signs a criminal justice reform bill into law.

For manufacturers, criminal justice reform is simply the right thing to do. It will improve the fairness of our system, offer redemption for nonviolent offenders and open new doors for Americans looking for the dignity of a job. Today, manufacturers have more than a half a million jobs we need to fill, so we can help these Americans get a new start, just as they can help us grow and succeed here in the United States. We hope Congress will pass the FIRST STEP Act.

-51�Թ���-

The 51�Թ��� (51�Թ���) is the largest manufacturing association in the United States, representing small and large manufacturers in every industrial sector and in all 50 states. Manufacturing employs more than 12 million men and women, contributes $2.25 trillion to the U.S. economy annually, has the largest economic impact of any major sector and accounts for more than three-quarters of private-sector research and development. The 51�Թ��� is the powerful voice of the manufacturing community and the leading advocate for a policy agenda that helps manufacturers compete in the global economy and create jobs across the United States. For more information about the Manufacturers or to follow us on Shopfloor, Twitter and Facebook, please visit www.nam.org.