The
American Mold Builders Association (AMBA) completed a
successful 2009 Fall Conference in Washington, D.C., as AMBA members
paved the way for the mold manufacturing industry's continued push
for fair trade, incentives to retain – and regain – U.S.
manufacturing, and other issues of importance to U.S. mold
manufacturers.
The AMBA
Fall Conference attracted 57 members from across the country who met
on September 14 and 15 in pre-arranged meetings with 56 Senators and
Representatives. These legislators represented the various states and
districts of the AMBA members in attendance, and meetings were also
held with Congressional members who serve on committees important to
trade and other issues.
Special
guest speakers Alan Tonelson of the U.S. Business & Industry Council
and Lloyd Wood of the American Manufacturing Trade Action Coalition
kicked off the conference with statistics and other information
helpful to AMBA members as they approached Senators and
Representatives with the issues. Tonelson noted in his report that the
recession has hit manufacturing especially hard. "Whereas the entire
economy grew by 0.74% in real terms in 2009, the non-bubbled
manufacturing sector shrank by 2.74%," Tonelson said. "Manufacturing's
output losses so far in this recession (down 16.70%) already exceed
even those of the 1973-75 recession (15.32%) – formerly the worst U.S.
downturn since the Great Depression."
Lloyd
Wood of the AMTAC, whose goal is to preserve and promote domestic
manufacturing, concurred with Tonelson. "Some things out here [in U.S.
manufacturing] are truly shocking," he said. "U.S. manufacturing never
came out of the 2000 recession and it was made even worse a year ago.
We produce less than we did 10 years ago. That's absolutely
stunning."
Tonelson
added, "The health of the U.S. mold industry is an indicator of the
health of the U.S. manufacturing sector overall. You are all at ground
zero of the efforts to strengthen U.S. manufacturing," he added.
Wood
noted that without the buying power of the U.S. consumer, developing
nations would have few places to export their goods. "The U.S. is the
goose laying the golden egg for China," he said.
Saving
the American Dream
Steve
Rotman, President of the AMBA and President of Ameritech Die & Mold
Inc., (Mooresville, NC), noted that he's been fortunate to achieve the
American Dream and fulfill his entrepreneurial spirit. "For those
coming up behind my generation, it's becoming harder than ever for
them to sustain that American Dream, take the risks and become
successful," Rotman said. "That's why we're here in Washington, D.C. -
to let our elected officials know what's happening to the American
Dream, and why we need to keep the entrepreneurial spirit alive:
because it's the life blood of this country."
AMBA
members went in teams to visit their assigned Senators and
Representatives, and everyone felt that it was a tremendous effort
that was well worth the time spent. Tim Peterson of Industrial Molds
Group (Rockford, IL) was impressed with the meetings he and his team
had with Congressional people. "It was useful to talk to them and
present our issues," he said. "It's important to really know who's on
your side and who's not, and who can be swayed, and know not to waste
time on those who can't."
Rotman
said his group had a total of nine meetings representing the
Southeast. "We found great discussions from both sides of the
political spectrum, and felt that we were able to articulate the
concerns of plastics manufacturing, moldmaking, small businesses, and
the overall concern of how to get the economy going again. Everyone in
our group feels that the time they invested was well worth it, and
they hope to participate again."
AMBA
Executive Director Melissa Millhuff, added that being in the Nation's
Capital is exciting. "Talking to congressional people is what makes a
difference for U.S. manufacturing and especially for our companies,"
she said.
Millhuff
and Rotman both expressed the need for all U.S. mold manufacturers to
become involved with the AMBA and to work with the organization as the
AMBA continues to push for fair trade, lower business taxes,
affordable healthcare with choice, and other issues important to mold
manufacturers.
"With
all of the changes that have been done, or are being considered, there
has been no time like the present to get engaged and active," said
Rotman. "Without public participation, our politicians are not sure
what we like and what we don't like. The experience continues to bring
out how proud and blessed we are to have the freedoms we enjoy every
day. To see our government up close and personal is an experience I
will never forget."
The
American Mold Builders Association is the only trade association
dedicated solely to U.S. mold manufacturers and their suppliers, and
works diligently to promote U.S. manufacturing to keep a strong base
of U.S. moldmakers. For more information on joining the AMBA, contact
Sue Daniels at 1-847-222-9402 or visit the website at
www.amba.org.