Update from Manufacturing USA

In an unprecedented move and in response to the dramatic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on manufacturing, the CEOs of all 14 Manufacturing USA Institutes are collaborating to create a decisive set of strategies and recommendations to strengthen America’s manufacturing base. These are outlined in a press release from Senators Coons and Rubio and Congressional Representatives Stevens and Balderson that details the creation of four specific initiatives that will enable us to learn from the recent past and ensure we’re aggressively working towards a much more resilient supply chain and manufacturing base.

• 1. The formation of a National Manufacturing Guard
• 2. The establishment of a National Supply Chain Data Exchange
• 3. The formation of a Technology Corps
• 4. A Resilient Manufacturing Advisory Council

The Manufacturing USA network of Manufacturing Institutes provided input into a bill titled “The Resilient Manufacturing Task Force Act” and on July 29, 2020, Senators Coons and Rubio and Congressional Representatives Stevens and Balderson officially introduced this bipartisan, bicameral legislation to reinforce the US Supply Chain against future disruptions. The legislation establishes a task force that identifies critical vulnerabilities in existing US supply chains and develops a plan for a National Manufacturing Guard which is a volunteer organization of experts from across the US private sector that will train for supply chain and other manufacturing emergencies. NextFlex applauds the partnership of the US Manufacturing Institutes and these legislative leaders for these efforts. We will keep our members updated on the progress of the bill and will alert you to any opportunities to collectively rally to provide the necessary support and leadership on this initiative.